New research suggests Green tea could help protect against eye diseases such as glaucoma. The researchers, based at Hong Kong Eye Hospital found that antioxidants known as catechins were present in the eye tissue of laboratory rats following ingestion of green tea.
The antioxidant Catechin belongs to the family of antioxidants that includes vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants are well-known for their disease-fighting properties.
Upon examination of the rats, which had been fed green tea extract, evidence was found that the cornea, lens, retina, choriod-sclera, vitreous humor and aqueous humor all showed significant amounts of absorption of individual catechins.
The studies are very interesting however further studies in humans will need to be conducted to verify the same effects will occur. The full articel on “Green Tea Catechins and their Oxidative protection in the Rat Eye” can be found here: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 10 February 2010.
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Tea drinking is considered to be one of the pleasures of life.