Subscribe To This Site
XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Enter your E-mail Address

Enter your First Name (optional)

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Green Tea Health News .

Home
POPULAR Belly Fat
Weight Loss
247 Dieting Tips
World Tearooms
The Flu
TEA HEALTH High Cholesterol
Cholesterol Lists
Alzheimer's
Fukushima
Anti-Aging
Caffeine
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
All Cancers
Antioxidant EGCG
HIV--AIDS
High Blood Pressure
Stroke Prevention
Tea & Exercise
Decaf Green Tea
Clean Water
Health Updates
FUN Afternoon Tea
Recipes
Tea Party Ideas
Smoothies
Iced Tea
Chai
Matcha
Tea & Herbs
Teapots Plus
Gourmet Tea
History Of Tea
Tea Photos
Tea Videos
Tea Blogs
Selected Books
FAQ Buy Tea Online
Blog And Updates
Tea News
Safety
Your Questions
Sitemap Contents
Contact Us
Disclosure
Advertise With Us

How Tea Works
Against The Common Cold Flu Viruses



Cold flu viruses are everywhere

Viruses are so small that you can fit more than three trillion on the surface of a penny.

Viruses are everywhere–scientists have counted over one billion in a teaspoon of seawater or natural water, or at least 10 million per drop of seawater (Parsons R et al, Ocean time-series reveals recurring seasonal patterns of virioplankton dynamics in the northwestern Sargasso Sea, The ISME Journal, August, 2011).

The good news is that relatively few viruses are harmful to humans.

Still, the few harmful viruses are hard to fight because of their size and because they keep changing. But they are not harmful until they get past the cell wall and are inside a living cell where they will replicate.


Cocktail of Human Disease Viruses
Cocktail of Human Disease Viruses

Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com


Several groups of viruses cause influenza and around 200 viruses cause the common cold.

Tea protects cell walls from viruses

  • Early laboratory cell studies have shown that EGCG, the primary antioxidant polyphenol from green tea and theaflavin, the primary antioxidant polyphenol from black tea prevent both influenza A and B viruses from adhering to cell walls, the first step to infection (Nakayama, 1993).

  • Another study with green tea catechins including EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate, showed that these unique catechins changed the viral membrane of both influenza A and B in ways that prevented the viruses from adhering to cell walls, as well as inhibiting hemagglutination (clumped red blood cells) and RNA synthesis in cells that were already infected (Song, 2005)

Both black and green tea act against cold flu viruses

  • People were given a black tea gargle twice daily for five winter months. When tested for two influenza A viruses and ten influenza B viruses, the black tea gargle group showed a significant 25% reduction compared to controls (Iwata, 1997). A study using a green tea gargle showed 87% protection from flu.

  • A study with green tea catechins found that EGCG was the most powerful inhibitor of the common cold adenovirus. EGCG worked in late stage virus infection by inhibiting protease (Weber, 2003). Green tea also inhibits protease in HIV infections.

  • A study with mice applied influenza viruses to their nose. The control group became infected and all died within 10 days. The tea group had black tea mixed with the viruses applied to the nose.

  • All mice receiving tea survived.

Protecting the immune system

One amazing result is that 90% of the mice receiving tea did not even form antibodies to the viruses. They were exposed to the virus, but not only did they survive, but for their immune system, it was as if the exposure had never happened.

The black tea used was at “cup of tea” strength (Nakayama, Inhibition of the infectivity of influenza virus by black tea extract, Kansenshogaku Zasshi, July 1994).

Lifestyle habits add up

Cold and flu viruses are spread through the air and by touch. Keep reasonable barriers and wash your hands frequently. Consider a flu vaccination if appropriate.

Another way to help defend yourself against cold flu viruses is to protect your immune system. Keep your immune system strong by eating healthy food rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, getting sufficient rest, exercising daily, stopping smoking, and managing stress.

And explore all the health benefits of green tea.





Enter your E-mail Address
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Green Tea Health News .



Green tea varieties: Dragon Well | Mao Feng | Matcha | Gunpowder Green | Pi Lo Chun | Gyokuro | Lu Shan Yun Wu | Japanese Sencha | Lu An Melon Seed | Jasmine | Blooming Tea | Chun Mee | All Flavored | Organically Grown | Premium Estates

Where To Buy Tea: Resources and Marketplace



Tea Starter SetMightyLeaf.com




Save money by downloading your books with



This page was last updated by Sharon Jones on January 6, 2012.

Return from Cold Flu Viruses to Green Tea Health News Home



Social Networking


Are you a member of a social networking site like Facebook, Google +, or the popular Twitter? If you like my website, share it with your friends and family! I appreciate it also, and thank you in advance.


or email it:

http://www.green-tea-health-news.com/cold-flu.html





Tearoom Boosters

Have you had a wonderful experience at a local tearoom, tea house, inn, or hotel for a special afternoon tea or even just a great cup of refreshing green tea?

You can give their business a boost by telling us what makes their afternoon teas memorable here.

Just click on your country, province, or state and complete the form there.

If your country is not listed yet, you can use the form on the World Tearooms page, and we’ll hurry up to make sure your country is represented for The Best Afternoon Tea.




More Tea And Goodies

Subscribe to the free e-zine, Green Tea Health News for new recipes, interesting products, hot deals, and more.

Enter your E-mail Address
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Green Tea Health News .

Subscribe now and don't miss a single issue.



Most Popular Articles

Weight Loss

High Cholesterol

Belly Fat

High Blood Pressure

Breast Cancer Survival

Prostate Cancer Risk Reduction

Decaffeinated Green






SEARCH Table of Contents Here





January Promo - Tea Clubs 15% Off