"October 26, 2004

Drinking green tea or black tea has been found to improve memory, and protect against the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study by British researchers.

The researchers found drinking both green tea and black tea on regular basis inhibited the activity of enzymes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease.

For their findings, which are published in the academic journal, Phytotherapy Research, University of Newcastle researchers conducted a series of experiments to examine the properties of green tea, black tea and coffee.

Coffee drinkers may want to consider adding a green tea to their diet, because the researchers say coffee had no significant effect.

Although green tea and black tea both inhibited the activity of enzymes associated with the development of Alzheimer's Disease, green tea went one step further and also obstructed the activity of beta-secretase, which is linked to the production of protein deposits in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The progression of Alzheimer's can be slowed down with drugs, however, many have unpleasant side effects and the medical profession is keen to find alternatives.

The researchers are now seeking funding to continue further testing on green tea, which they hope will include clinical trials. They hope to develop a medicinal tea specifically aimed at Alzheimer's patients.

Finding the components of green tea that inhibits the activity of the enzymes AChE, BuChE and beta-secretase is the next step, according to the researchers.

"Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, tea could potentially be another weapon in the armoury which is used to treat this disease and slow down its development", said Lead researcher, Dr. Ed Okello, in a prepared statement."

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