Compound in Green Tea Protects Us from Fat Accumulation in the Brain

A recent study has shown that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound abundant in green tea and known for its antioxidant properties, protects against fat accumulation in the brain and reduces the risk of cognitive decline. Researchers noted that obesity has long been linked not only to metabolic disorders but also to an increased risk of cognitive decline: the accumulation of excess adipose tissue triggers chronic low-grade inflammation, which can spread through the bloodstream to the brain, damaging nerve cells and compromising the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, they decided to test EGCG to examine its effects on these processes.

The experiments demonstrated that EGCG reduces levels of pro-inflammatory molecules in brain tissue and alleviates oxidative stress in nerve cells caused by elevated blood fatty acids. The compound also helped restore normal mitochondrial function—cellular “power plants” whose activity is typically impaired in obesity, leading to neuronal damage and death. Researchers emphasize that these findings were obtained in a laboratory setting and do not imply that drinking green tea alone can reverse the effects of obesity on the human brain. Nevertheless, they suggest that these results hold promise for the development of dietary supplements and medications based on EGCG to protect the brains of overweight individuals.

Source: mail.ru