Drinking tea could improve memory

Rediff.com ^ | October 28, 2004 09:37 IST | The Press Trust of India

[CarrotAndStick]

Drinking tea regularly could help improve memory, a research by British scientists from the University of Newcastle suggests.

The scientists found that green and black tea inhibit the activity of certain enzymes in the brain that are associated with memory.

The findings, published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, may lead to the development of a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, which affects an estimated ten million people worldwide.

The team investigated the properties of coffee and green and black tea.

Black tea -- traditional English breakfast tea -- is derived from the same plant as green tea, 'Camellia sinensis', but has a different taste and appearance as it is fermented.

They found that both green and black tea inhibited the activity of enzymes associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease, but coffee had no significant effect.

Both teas inhibited the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which breaks down the chemical messenger or neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.

Alzheimer's is characterised by a drop in acetylcholine.

Green tea and black tea also hinder the activity of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), which has been discovered in protein deposits found on the brains of patients with Alzheimer's.

Green tea went one step further by obstructing the activity of beta-secretase, which plays a role in the production of protein deposits in the brains that are associated with Alzheimer's.

Scientists also found that it continued to have its inhibitive effect for a week, whereas black tea's enzyme-inhibiting properties lasted for only a day.

Drugs currently in the market hinder the activity of AChE, but they have unpleasant side effects.

The researchers are seeking funding to carry out further tests on green tea, which they hope will include clinical trials.

Their aim is to work towards the development of a medicinal tea aimed at Alzheimer's sufferers.

[Imaverygooddriver]

What about pot?

[tjwmason]

India and Sri Lanka produce fine tea.

Along with China they are the only teas worth drinking. Sri Lankan tea is still called Ceylon (which was the colonial name for Sri Lanka). Most of the major brand tea-bags are packed full of Kenyan tea, where the climate is far to arid; this makes the leaves drier and liable to break into smaller pieces, in turn this means that there is a stewed element in the tea by the time it reaches an otherwise decent strength.

My advice, is avoid tea-bags altogether, they are perfidious inventions. Buy a decent leaf tea the difference is very very noticeable.

[ApesForEvolution]

Don't forget water quality...a fine tea deserves a fine water.

[Bandaneira]

I spent seven months in India in 1991 riding around on a Vespa with my girlfriend. On many a muggy day we would stop and have a delicious cup of Chai.

[5050 no line]

And you guys went and threw it into Boston Harbour.

Shame on you! :-)

[floridarolf]

Darjeeling is the best. But to get that peculiar flowery Darjeeling flavour you pay at least 8 Euro / 100 grams . A 3 Euro / 100 grams Darjeeling from the supermarket has almost none of this flavour. A good online shop to buy tea in the U.S. is http://www.uptontea.com.

[dsc]

Dern, that guy is starting to look like Dorian Grey's portrait.

[asgardshill]

I was going to try drinking more tea, but I keep forgetting to buy any at the grocery store.

[CarrotAndStick]

I think ice tea, especially the packaged variety, uses synthesised tea flavourings and extracts, and hardly has the anti-oxidant contents of leaf-brewed ice tea.

[orchid]

I brew Darjeeling to make iced tea with lime. have for 35 years.

[CarrotAndStick]

Great for you! Nothing like a glass of brewed, iced, fresh lime tea!

Next time, try this:

This tea may be served either hot or cold. If serving cold, brew tea longer and pour over ice in tall glasses. Enjoy.

3 tsp tea leaves, preferrably Darjeeling Black 4 cups boiling water 1 fresh lime, sliced thinly 12 cloves sugar (optional) 4 maraschino cherries Put tea in teapot. Add boiling water and allow to stand several minutes. Place the fresh lime slices garnished with cloves in each cup. Pour hot tea and decorate with maraschino cherries.

Another hint: Tea brews best in teapots that haven't been washed totally of stains arising out of previous brewing of tea. And the best tea is got if you allow boiling water to cool one or two degrees before adding tea leaves. But, hey, you've been doing it for 35 years. You must be knowing better.