Green tea could prevent cancer, says North study SCIENTISTS in the region have found evidence that drinking green tea could help prevent dementia and cancer.

The study, published today in Phytomedicine, demonstrated how the ancient Chinese remedy protected brain cells against dementia and slowed down the growth of cancer cells.

Led by Dr Ed Okello, the Newcastle University team wanted to know if the protective properties of green tea, which have previously been shown to be present in the undigested, freshly brewed form of the drink, were still active once the tea had been digested.

“What was really exciting about this study was that we found when green tea is digested by enzymes in the gut, the resulting chemicals are actually more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer’s development than the undigested form of the tea,”

said Dr Okello, based in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at Newcastle University.

“We also found the digested compounds had anti-cancer properties, significantly slowing down the growth of the tumour cells that we were using in our experiments.”

Two compounds are known to play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease – hydrogen peroxide and a protein known as beta-amyloid.

Previous studies have shown that compounds known as polyphenols, present in black and green tea, possess neuroprotective properties, binding with the toxic compounds and protecting the brain cells.

When ingested, the polyphenols are broken down to produce a mix of compounds and it was these the Newcastle team tested in latest research.

Carrying out the experiments in the lab using a tumour cell model, the team exposed the cells to varying concentrations of the different toxins and the digested green tea compounds.

Dr Okello said: “The digested chemicals protected the cells – preventing the toxins from destroying the cells.

“We also saw them affecting the cancer cells, significantly slowing down their growth.”

Dr Okello added: “There are obviously many factors which together have an influence on diseases such as cancer and dementia – a good diet, plenty of exercise and a healthy lifestyle are all important.

“But I think it’s fair to say that at least one cup of green tea every day may be good for you and I would certainly recommend it.”

The team has received funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.