14 September 2012

Green tea boosts brain power

A new study has shown that not only is green tea good for your heart, it can boost memory as well.
The Chinese study found that the chemical elements, mainly EGCG, of the drink promote generation of brain cells which results in memory and spatial learning benefits.

Professor Yun Bai from the Third Military Medical University said, “There has been plenty of scientific attention on its use in helping prevent cardiovascular diseases, but now there is emerging evidence that its chemical properties may impact cellular mechanisms in the brain. We proposed that EGCG can improve cognitive function by impacting the generation of neuron cells, a process known as neurogenesis.”

The results showed that the chemical boosts the production of cells that can adapt into various types of cells. Mice were tested to see if the increased cell production would improve memory. The mice were trained for 3 days in a maze with a visible platform, then for 7 with the same platform hidden. The team found that those mice who were treated with the compound found the platform faster than those who were untreated.

Professor Bai said, “This helps us to understand the potential for EGCG, and green tea which contains it, to help combat degenerative diseases and memory loss.”