Green tea has long been found very useful for health, but now researchers say that drinking green tea can help in the fight against HIV.A joint British-American study has found that the compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibits HIV to invade cells by the immune system to protect them.
When the EGCG molecule attached to the cells of the immune system, then there is no room for HIV to get a grip on the white blood cells as usual.
But the researchers warned in the early stages of their investigation. "Our research shows that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of HIV infection, and can also slow the spread of HIV. But this does not heal, and is also not a safe way to avoid infection, but we suggest should be used in combination to conventional drugs improve the quality of life for those infected. Research in the future also is underway to determine how much effect can be expected from the number of different teas, "says researcher Professor Mike Williamson, of the University of Sheffield.
"Testing in animals will be required before drawing safe conclusions on the potential protective effects of green tea", said Keith Alcorn, senior editor of the web service Aidsmap. "This study only looked at the ability of a chemical in green tea to inhibit HIV attacks the human CD4 immune cells in test tubes. Many substances that can prevent HIV infection in the test tube, proved to have little or no effect in real life, so I think there how long before people had to rely on green tea to be protected from HIV infection. "
"Condoms are still able to resist HIV infection. Everything that boost the immune system is very useful for people with HIV, but green tea can not be a substitute for proper medication and a prevention technique," said Lisa Power, head of policy at the HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust
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