Drink Green Tea, Protect Yourself from the Flu
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The influenza virus is the most important cause of respiratory infections worldwide, according to Dr. Keiji Matsumoto and colleagues at the University of Shizuoka, Japan. Vaccinations (flu shots) are effective at preventing many cases of the flu, but so far we do not have vaccines that cover every possible strain of the virus. “Therefore,” Matsumoto reported, “it is important to find other ways to reduce the prevalence of influenza infection.”
Tea consumption is associated with a number of health benefits. Dr. Chung S. Yang of The State University of New Jersey and colleagues reported on the antioxidative and anti-carcinogenic properties of tea constituents. Green tea accounts for 20 percent of world tea consumption. It is produced by pan-frying or steaming the leaves of Camellia sinensis, to inactivate an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase. This process preserves the molecules epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC), which are collectively called catechins and are powerful antioxidants. A typical cup of green tea contains approximately 200 to 300 mg of catechins. Black tea accounts for 78 percent of world tea consumption. It is produced from leaves of the same plant, but prepared by a different process that causes oxidation and polymerization of the catechins.
Matsumoto and colleagues performed a randomized, placebo-controlled study of the effects of green tea catechins plus theanine, another tea component, on healthcare workers exposed to the influenza virus. The study included 98 workers assigned to the catechin/theanine group, and 99 assigned to the placebo group. All worked with elderly patients, and 92.9 percent were vaccinated against influenza. The catechins and theanine were supplied in capsules that provided a 378 mg catechins and 210 mg theanine per day. The time period of the study was November 2009 to April 2010.
The catechin/theanine group had significantly fewer cases of flu than the placebo group. Flu was diagnosed as fever plus any two of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, headache, muscle aches.
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