Green tea is rich in a group of chemicals known collectively as catechins. These catechins have demonstrated anti-viral activity, inhibit the enzyme
Neuraminidase, act as
Hemagglutinin Inhibitors and reduce the production of TNF and other inflammatory compounds.
- In this recent study (PMID:16137775 (cache)) it was shown that the catechins in green tea inhibited influenza viruses in two distinct mechanisms: 1) hemagglutination inhibition activity, and 2) inhibition of Neuraminidase activity.
- Two of the catechins tested (ECGC and ECG) may have antiviral activity that is on par with other antivirals; they were able to inhibit half of viral activity at concentrations of 20 to 40 micromolar. By contrast, Tamiflu requires a concentration of 0.0008 to 35 micromolar to inhibit half of viral activity according to Roche Product Information. It should be noted that the tests conducted on Tamiflu and Green Tea Catchins can vary quite a bit depending on the lab that conducts them, atmospheric pressure, the phase of the moon, and other conditions that are difficult to control. While the research on Tamiflu has been repeated several times and there is a general idea of how powerful it is, the work on green tea is preliminary and further experiments may show it is more (or less) effective than the initial study.
- Several flavonoids (including two green tea catechins) have been shown to reduce TNF and Nitric Oxide production when cells were stimulated with LPS or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/phytohemagglutinin. PMID:15974445 (cache).
Most supermarkets now carry a decent selection of green tea, and vitacost has excellent prices on
Celestial Seasonings Decaffeinated Green Tea
($2.49 vs. $3.50 where I buy groceries) and
Laci Le Beau Tea Natural Green Tea — 20 Bags ($1.99 vs. I can't remember what Laci costs here). I prefer decaf, but the caffeine and theophylline in regular tea also help open bronchial passages, so I drink regular tea when my breathing is affected by a cold.
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