Catechins are the chief components found in the extracts of the green tea.Latest Research has found that intake of green tea is better for lung injury recovery caused by cigarette smoke.This article gains further insight.
What the Research found out?
- The research was conducted at Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China in May 2009.
- Rats exposed to cigarette smoke were given green tea.
- The harmful effects of the smoke, the components found in the green tea and the response of the organ lung to them were studied.
- A component Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is 80% of the Catechins found in Green Tea.
- This Catechin has powerful anti-oxidant properties.
- In this way,green tea reduces the oxidative stress of the cigarette smoke on the lungs.
What is Oxidative Stress of Cigarette Smoke?
- The lung’s primarily job is to separate oxygen from carbondioxide.
- During this process,certain byproducts called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are formed.
- The ROS are molecules which help in cell signaling.But the number of these molecules should be in check.
- An excess of ROS production can damage the cell structures.
- Oxidative Stress is the condition where there is an imbalance in the ROS molecules production.
- The Cigarette smoke contains Carnicogens which disturbs the balance of ROS, causing Oxidative Stress.
What Anti-Oxidant do?
- The ROS molecules contain Free Radicals.
- These Free Radicals present in the ROS cause cell damaging.
- Anti-oxidants like Cathechins are substances which fight with the free radicals and protect the cell from damage.
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