TAIPEI, Taiwan
In humans, hypertension when left untreated can result in cognitive decline or memory loss because high blood pressure limits blood flow to the brain.
A new study published in the journal Behavioural Pharmacology suggests that drinking green tea or taking green tea extract in supplements may reduce hypertension and improve learning and memory in rats.
The study led by Mao-Hsien Wang and colleagues in Taiwan, China showed that the green tea catechin Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) possess potent antioxidative properties against various kinds of oxidative damage.
In this study, the researchers first examined the effect of hypertension in rats on locomotor activity, learning and memory, and then tested EGCG for its therapeutic effect on hypertension-induced cognitive impairment.
Daily EGCG treatment reduced the progressive increase in blood pressure in spontaneous hypertension rats, and prevented much of the increased locomotor activity, and improved the learning and memory capacity.
EGCG treatment also lowered the increased level of lipid peroxide production in spontaneous hypertension rats and boosted the antioxidation power in the blood that was found lower in the study rats.
The researchers concluded "These indicate a therapeutic effect of EGCG in treating hypertension-induced learning and memory impairment, most probably through its powerful antioxidative properties."
Source: http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Nutrition/Food/green_tea_hypertension_memory_1015120734.html