Green tea may help fight COVID-19: Study – 5 reasons why you should add this beverage to your diet

KEY STORY

• It’s been over a year into the pandemic and science has unravelled several data that was previously unknown about SARS-CoV-2. Since the beginning, building immunity has been given special emphasis and the inclusion of foods that aid the process have been encouraged by healthcare professionals.

• Green tea is a commonly consumed beverage across the world and is often included as a part of healthy diet plans. It is also known for its therapeutic and immunity-boosting properties. A recent study conducted at Swansea University suggests the role of green tea in fighting COVID-19.

  Green tea for COVID-19

• According to a study published in the RSC Journal called “Identification of (2R,3R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)chroman-3-yl-3,4,5-trihydroxy benzoate as multiple inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 targets; a systematic molecular modelling approach”, it was found that a compound called gallocatechin, that is found in green tea may be helpful in fighting COVID-19.

• Dr Suresh Mohankumar, author of the study said, “Nature’s oldest pharmacy has always been a treasure of potential novel drugs and we questioned if any of these compounds could assist us in battling the Covid-19 pandemic?”

• “We screened and sorted a library of natural compounds already known to be active against other coronaviruses using an artificial intelligence-aided computer programme. Our findings suggested that one of the compounds in green tea could combat the coronavirus behind Covid-19.”, he added.

• Emphasising the need for further research on clinical application, Dr Mohankumar said, “The compound that our model predicts to be most active is gallocatechin, which is present in green tea and could be readily available, accessible, and affordable. There now needs to be further investigation to show if it can be proven clinically effective and safe for preventing or treating Covid-19.”

  Benefits of green tea

  Some health benefits of green tea are as follows:

  1. It can aid weight loss by promoting enhanced metabolism and fat burn.

  2. It may improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease

  3. Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants and can be beneficial for skin and hair health.

  4. catechins present in the tea can prevent bad breath and improve oral health.

  5. Being a rich source of polyphenols, green tea can help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and some cancer.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.