In 2022, Researchers at Tufts University studying cells in the laboratory reported new findings related to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
The researchers used Herpes virus to cause AD in the laboratory grown cells (in vitro). It has been previously demonstrated that Herpes (which causes problems such as Chicken Pox, Shingles, Cold Sores and the Sexually Transmitted Disease) can cause inflammation in neurons (brain cells). This inflammation, in turn, may lead to the Plaques and Tangles seen in the neurons of AD patients.
Once the researchers caused AD, they set out to diminish the neuronal Plaques and Tangles. The scientists tested a plethora of nutraceutical compounds and discovered two standouts:
Catechins and Resveratrol were notable for their ability to fight plaques and protect neurons with very low toxicity.
Catechins are found in tea. Both green and black tea are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference between green and black is that the leaves used for black tea are fermented. Because of this difference in processing, catechins are more highly concentrated in green tea. But, if you steep black tea a little longer, you can leach sufficient catechins.
Resveratrol has been shown to lower the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a molecule that affects cell division, migration and death. Resveratrol is found in red wine and can be found in many foods, such as dark chocolate, the skin of grapes, pomegranate and plums.
If you’d like to learn more about the brain benefits of tea, please read
If you’d like to learn more about the brain effects of alcohol, please read
If you’d like to learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, please read