New knowledge Green tea protects against obesity and memory loss

What effect does green tea have on our memory and weight?
Today more and more people are suffering from overweight or obesity. Another big problem of modern society is the widespread Alzheimer's disease. Physicians have long been looking for ways and means to help sufferers with these problems. Researchers have now discovered that green tea can protect people from memory loss and the effects of a high-fat Western diet.

Researchers at Northwest A & F University in China have found in their recent research that green tea consumption in humans is helping to protect them from the effects of a high-fat Western diet and memory loss. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "FASEB Journal".

Green tea has the general reputation of being very healthy. Physicians found that green tea consumption can protect against memory loss that occurs in Alzheimer's disease, for example. (Image: Africa Studio / fotolia)

Molecule in green tea has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties
The experts from China have found that the drink contains a molecule (EpiGalloCatechin-3-Gallat), which seems to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. This would mean that it actually protects against memory loss. Perhaps the molecule could even help prevent insulin resistance, one of the causes of type 2 diabetes, experts say. The new study also examined the effect of the molecule on a high-fat diet and a diet rich in fructose.

Green tea to fight obesity, insulin resistance and memory disorders?
Green tea, together with water, is one of the most important drinks in the world and it is grown in at least 30 different countries, Dr. Xuebo Liu from Northwest A & F University. So far, many experts believe that green tea helps to treat a number of human diseases. If people regularly drink green tea, this could be an acceptable alternative to medicine in the fight against obesity, insulin resistance and memory problems, the author adds.

Signs of Alzheimer's
In the UK alone, more than 520,000 people suffer from Alzheimer's disease. There are some signs and symptoms of this condition that can be detected by friends and relatives of those affected:
- Changes in mood and personality: When people are easily angered, confused, depressed or anxious, these may be signs of Alzheimer's.
- Memory loss: One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, which begins to affect the daily lives of those affected.
- Difficulties in solving simple problems: For example, people with Alzheimer's often find it very difficult to cook a dish for a recipe.
- Difficulties in the daily work. People with Alzheimer's are often no longer able to do their job.
- The frequent laying of objects: We all forget where we put our key. However, if this happens more often, it could be an indication of Alzheimer's.
- Visual Problems: A person with Alzheimer's may have difficulty assessing colors and distances. For this reason, it is difficult for those affected to drive or read books.
- Forgetting about time and important data: Some people with Alzheimer's can even forget where they are and how they got there. It is also possible to forget personal information.

Taking EGCG improves results in memory tests
For the study, three groups of mice were medically monitored for a total of 16 weeks. The study showed that diet with epigallocatechin gallate (the antioxidant accounts for about one-third of the dry weight of green tea) leads to improved results in memory tests. Epigallocatechin gallate is also referred to as EGCG. So there really seems to be cognitive benefits from using EGCG. (As)