Green tea may help strengthen bones: Study

For centuries green tea has held on strong to its reputation as an effective and trustworthy beverage packed with health benefits. Now researchers in Hong Kong have found new evidence that green tea may be good for our bones also.

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// Previous studies suggest that chemicals found in green tea can prevent heart disease and cancer, but this is the first time scientists looked into how these chemicals can prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Dr Ping Chung Leung and colleagues from the Institute of Chinese medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted a study to identify the chemicals that may help strengthen bones by stimulating their formation and slowing the process of weakening them.

Chemicals in green tea examined

In a laboratory experiment, the scientists exposed a group of cultured osteoblast-like rat cells to three main chemical ingredients found in green tea for several days.

The chemicals were epigallocatechin (EGC), gallocatechin (GC), and gallocatechin gallate (GCG).

The scientists observed that the ingredient EGC in green tea boosted the level of a key enzyme that promotes bone growth by nearly 79 percent.

In addition, they found that EGC increased the density of bone minerals in the cells. Bone mineralization makes the bones stronger, thereby reducing the risk of pain and fracture.

Another aspect highlighted by the study was that the activity of osteoclasts that weakens and breaks down bones was lowered by the high concentrations of ECG. (ECG=a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.)

Also, the researches noted that components of green tea did not have any toxic effects on the bone cells.

The researchers concluded that, “The tea catechins, EGC in particular, had positive effects on bone metabolism through a double process of promoting osteoblastic activity and inhibiting osteoclast differentiations.”

Further research needed for concrete conclusions

Although green tea is packed with health benefits, experts feel there is a need for more research to establish its benefits for osteoporosis patients.

Claire Bowring of the National Osteoporosis Society states, “Some of these studies have suggested tea may have a positive effect on bone health but more research is needed before we can make any conclusions about actual benefits for people with osteoporosis.

“Large scale clinical trials could help to determine if there is any fracture prevention benefits of these chemicals found in tea.”

The findings are published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

Other health benefits of green tea

Green tea is known to heal and prevent processes that cater to diseases like cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, infections, impaired immune functions, and cardiovascular diseases.

The benefits of green tea also involve improving the cholesterol rate in the body and hinder the formation of blood clots in wounds.

Next, drinking of green tea cleanses the human body of toxins that usually lead to a lot of health problems. It provides a wondrous feeling of relaxation and energy.

bron: www.themedguru.com [18-9-2009]