New discovery of green tea’s health benefits
One of green tea’s beneficial compounds has been found to increase the number of “regulatory T cells” that play a key role in immune function and suppression of autoimmune disease.
Green tea is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, boost immunity, and prevent cancer. Researchers who are currently studying its healing powers now believe this newly discovered mechanism — caused by the compound in green tea, a polyphenol called EGCG — is responsible for much of the tea leaves’ health benefits. While pharmaceutical drugs may provide some of the same benefits, the use of a natural substance such as green tea avoids toxicity issues associated with synthetic chemicals.
“This appears to be a natural, plant-derived compound that can affect the number of regulatory T cells, and in the process improve immune function,” said Emily Ho, a Linus Pauling Institute principal investigator and associate professor in the Oregon State University Department of Nutrition and Exercise Sciences.
“When fully understood, this could provide an easy and safe way to help control autoimmune problems and address various diseases,” Ho said.
