TITLE:
Green Tea: A Potential Alternative Anti-Infectious Agent Catechins and Viral Infections
AUTHORS:
Jennifer Tran
KEYWORDS:
Catechins; Viral Infections; Green Tea; Camellia Sinensis; HIV; Influenza; Hepatitis; Ancient China; Coevolution; Phytochemicals; Phenols
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Anthropology,
Vol.3 No.4,
November
5,
2013
ABSTRACT: Tea is the second
most consumed beverage in the world, following water. Black, oolong, and green
tea are products of a perennial tree or shrub called Camellia sinensis. Camellia
sinensis is native to Mainland China and is referenced in Chinese literature
at least 5000 years ago. Since its discovery, green tea has been heralded as
having several health benefits associated with its consumption. Traditionally,
green tea has been used for a variety of medicinal purposes, such as the
prevention and treatment of a variety of cancers, mental alertness, weight
loss, lowering cholesterol level, and UV protection. Studies have shown that
catechins, the polyphenols found in tealeaves, are effective as anti-infectious
agents by affecting the infection process instead of specifically targeting the
virus. This treatment strategy has the potential of reducing the prevalence of
drug-resistant viruses and the reliance on anti-viral drug therapies. This
paper will explore the efficacy of green tea in preventing infections by the
hepatitis B and C, influenza and human immunodeficiency virus.