Insights & Discussion
Tea catechins, found in green tea, may reduce the rates of influenza infection and diminish certain cold symptoms.
The research methodology started with interpreting several experimental studies which reported that tea catechins can inhibit influenza viral adsorption and suppress replication and neuraminidase activity. These catechins were also found effective against some common cold viruses and helped to enhance immunity against such viral infections. Additionally, epidemiological studies conducted since the late 1990s were examined which suggested that regular consumption of green tea may decrease influenza infection rates and some cold symptoms, and gargling with tea catechin could potentially protect against the development of influenza infection.
For the discussion of results, the studies collectively showed that tea catechins have potential antiviral activity against influenza and some cold viruses. Although clinical evidence supporting these effects remained unconclusive, the review showed promising trends. The consumption of green tea and gargling with tea catechins could lead to potentially decreased rates of influenza infection and lessened cold symptoms according to the analyzed epidemiological studies.
Discover Related Insights
Bee-collected pollen and bee bread, particularly when artificially fermented, demonstrate significant antiviral activity against the H1N1 strain of the influenza A virus.
2023 Foods Antiviral Activity of Beebread, Bee-Collected Pollen and Artificially Fermented Pollen against Influenza A Virus Dimitriou T, Asoutis Didaras N, Barda C, Skopeliti D, Kontogianni K, Karatasou K, et al.
Experimental Study Antiviral Bee Bread Bee Pollen
The research investigated the antiviral properties of bee-collected pollen (BCP) and bee bread (BB), including versions that had undergone artificial fermentation. The experiment also assessed separate proteins, water content, and -butanol portions of these substances. The analysis evaluated their effectiveness against the H1N1 strain of the influenza A virus (IAV). The antiviral behavior of these materials was taken in lab conditions via a comparative real-time PCR analysis working on their inhibitory concentration and selectivity index.
The outcomes revealed artificial fermentation improved the antiviral effectiveness of BCP. The protein fractions within the BCP and BB presented the greatest antiviral activity. Observations also highlighted that the chemical composition, prominent in proteins, and potentially microbiome metabolism determined the antiviral properties of BCP and BB. The chemical profile analysis emphasized the existence of some specialized metabolites that might be contributing towards this antiviral action.
Green tea consumption has been found to be effective in preventing the contraction of influenza infections.
2021 Molecules Anti-Influenza with Green Tea Catechins: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Rawangkan A, Kengkla K, Kanchanasurakit S, Duangjai A, Saokaew S
Systematic Review Antiviral Green Tea Influenza
To identify the potential benefits of green tea in influenza prevention, a methodical review and combined analysis of eight distinct research studies involving 5,048 participants was completed. The effect of green tea catechin treatment was tested against control conditions and assessed based on infection rates. Five of these studies were randomized controlled trials involving 884 participants and three were cohort studies with 2,223 participants. Subgroups such as those who gargled or took orally ingested forms of green tea were also analyzed separately. Further to this, the possibility of publication biases was evaluated using Begg's and Egger's tests.
The results showed both the randomized trials and the cohort studies displayed significant preventative effects on influenza infection for those treated with green tea catechins. Notably, there was no evidence of non-uniformity within the data, reinforcing these findings. The pooled results of different consumption methods further supported these findings, showing no disparities among the subgroups. These results suggest the consumption of green tea has tangible prophylactic effects against influenza infection.
Most Chinese medical herbs in the included studies showed similar effects to antiviral drugs in preventing or treating influenza.
2013 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Chinese medicinal herbs for influenza Jiang L, Deng L, Wu T.
Systematic Review Common Cold Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections Influenza
This updated review assessed the therapeutic effects and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs as an alternative and adjunctive therapy to other commonly used drugs for influenza. Eighteen studies involving 2521 participants were included in the review. 'Ganmao' capsules were found to be more effective than amantadine in decreasing influenza symptoms and aiding recovery in one study (in which adverse reactions were mentioned in the amantadine group although no data were reported). There were no significant differences between 'E Shu You' and ribavirin in treating influenza, nor in the occurrence of adverse reactions. The remaining 17 Chinese herbal trials showed a similar effect to antiviral drugs in preventing or treating influenza. However, since these included studies were of poor quality, the evidence does not support or reject the use of any Chinese herbal preparations for influenza. Highâquality trials are required.