Green tea offers protection against eye diseases--study

According to researchers, “catechins” an antioxidant found in green tea has the ability to pass from the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract and get absorbed by the lens, retina and tissues of the eye.

This heralds the possibility that the miracle beverage may offer protection against visual disease like glaucoma.

Experiment of green tea on rodents
In an effort to evaluate whether the catechins in green tea had the capacity of penetrating the tissues of the eye, researchers fed laboratory rodents green tea extract orally. They then analyzed their eye tissues.

The scientists noted that different parts of the eye structure absorbed significant amounts of catechins.

The retina that comprises of the light sensing tissue absorbed the maximum levels of catechins while the cornea forming the clear outer layer of the eye absorbed the lowest concentration of catechins.

Findings of the study
The results of the animal study indicate that intake of green tea significantly benefits the eyes.

The researchers found the cachetins in green tea cut the damaging effect of oxidative stress which is responsible for elevating the risk of retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.

Moreover, the antioxidant activity lasted for up to 20 hours after consumption of green tea extract.

Lead author of the study, Dr Chi Pui Pang from the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong declared, "Our results indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress [for up to 20 hours per consumption]."

Although findings of the study show promise, experts feel more research is needed for definitive results to determine the protective effect of green tea in human beings.

The findings of the study 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.

It also cleanses the human body of toxins that usually lead to a lot of health problems. It provides a wondrous feeling of relaxation and energy.