Green tea component protects heart cells

March 1, 2005

UK &mdash; may protect against damage from and.

Researchers from the UK have shown that a chemical in the tea reduces cell death following such incidents, which in turn could fight tissue death and organ failure.

Led by Anastasis Stephanou, the researchers showed in heart cells that the chemical (EGCG) inhibits cell death, apparently by blocking the action of a protein called Star 1.

This protein is activated in cells after a stressful event and contributes to inducing cell death.

EGCG also appears to speed recovery of heart cells to spur tissue recovery.

Stephanou says that while the researchers are "extremely encouraged" by the findings, more research is necessary before people are advised to drink green tea after heart attack or stroke.

The research is reported in .