Green Tea and Reproduction, An Unhealthy Relationship?

A new study by researchers at the University of California, Irvine has shown that green tea can have a negative effect on the reproduction and development of fruit flies. Male common fruit fly (Drosophila Melanogaster) - about 2mm long - sitting on a blade of grass with green foliage background The research leader was associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, Mahtab Jafari. Jafari was considering if there is a level of toxicity possible in these body systems caused by excessive consumption of green tea. Ten milligrams of green tea given to fruit flies, a massive amount given the size of a fruit fly, was seen to damage reproduction, including causing atrophy of reproductive organs. The fruit flies were also smaller than those not consuming green tea and more likely to starve. Some previous studies have shown reduced body weight in dogs and mice who imbibed large quantities of green tea. The excess tea also affected embryo development in mice. Further study from Jafari will attempt to identify the specific system triggered that causes the detrimental effect. The current study cannot be applied to human populations. The study was funded in part by the National Institute of Health. SOURCE: University of California-Irvine, Modern Farmer