Green tea could 'boost memory and improve brain health'

A diet with compounds found in green tea and carrots reversed Alzheimer's-like symptoms in mice, a study published in March last year suggested.

Researchers said that, after the diet, mice genetically programmed to develop Alzheimer's had their memory and spatial skills restored and could find their way out of a maze just as well as healthy mice.

The team, from the University of Southern California, noted that it's possible the discoveries made in the rodents may not be able to be replicated in humans.

However, they add that the findings could lead to plant-based supplements being used in combination with drugs to prevent or slow down dementia symptoms.

For the study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the team studied two compounds, the first being epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is found in high quantities in green tea.

EGCG is an antioxidant that prevents free radicals from forming in the body, thereby protecting against cell and molecule damage.

Previous studies have shown that EGCG protects newly-developed nerve cells, which helps with cognition and alertness.

The second compound, ferulic acid (FA), is found in foods such as carrots, oats and tomatoes.

FA is an antioxidant that is best-known for its benefits when it comes to skin, such as treating sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles.

The team split the mice with Alzheimer's into four groups and added the same number of healthy mice to each group.

They were given one of four diets: both EGCG and FA, just EGCG, just FA, or a placebo.

The mice underwent several neuropsychological tests - which measures areas such as problem solving, memory, and visual- spatial skills - both before and after the diet.

The researchers noted one test, which is maze in the shape of a Y and tests if the mice can find their way out it.

Following the three months, the mice who were on the combination diet performed just as well as the healthy mice did.