| Green Tea Possesses Potent Antioxidants
By Sean Henahan, Access Excellence
 LAS
VEGAS, Nev. (9/12/97)- New antioxidants found in green tea may prove
useful in protecting cells from the ravages of cancer and heart disease.
Speaking at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, University
of Kansas researchers report the discovery of an antioxidant found in green
tea that is at least 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times
better than vitamin E at protecting cells from oxidative damage. Known
as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, the antioxidant, carries twice
the antioxidant punch of resveratrol, a potent antioxidant recently isolated
from red wine.
While several recent studies have hinted at potential health benefits
from green tea, the current study is the first to quantify the effectiveness
of green tea's disease-fighting capabilities and measure it against other
antioxidants.
"Our research shows that green tea contains a powerful antioxidant,
known as epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, that actually gets into cells
to exert its protective effect. I'm not making any claims, but, used
in conjunction with a healthful diet and exercise program, it's like an
insurance policy. It increases your odds of avoiding or postponing diseases
associated with free radicals," said Lester A. Mitscher, University Distinguished
Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at Kansas University.
The researchers analyzed hundreds of samples of green, black and oolong
tea and other known antioxidants using a modified version of the Ames test,
widely used to detect cellular mutations. EGCG was added to DNA samples
challenged with peroxide, a recognized powerful free radical. The
research found EGCG to be a powerful antioxidant, offering 63 percent protection
from DNA damage. In a side-by-side comparison using equivalent concentrations,
vitamin E was found to be much less protective against damaged cell growth
than EGCG, while vitamin C showed almost no protective activity at the
same concentration.
"By the time we are in our 80s, it's an exceptional person who has not
had cancer," Mitscher says. "That's why it's important for us to look at
the kinds of compounds that may stall the development of disease."
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