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Green tea ‘may keep HIV at bay’
Published March 30th, 2007
Drinking green tea could help in the fight against HIV, research suggests.
Scientists found a component called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) prevents HIV from binding to immune system cells by getting there first.
Once EGCG has bound to immune system cells there is no room for HIV to take hold in its usual fashion.
However, experts said the joint UK and US work, which appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, was at a very preliminary stage.
Researcher Professor Mike Williamson, of the University of Sheffield, said: “Our research shows that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of becoming infected by HIV, and could also slow down the spread of HIV.
“It is not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection, however, we suggest that it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected.
“Future research is also currently under way in order to determine how much effect can be expected from different amounts of tea.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6502399.stm
