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AP/Press Association Images

They weren't lying: green tea is good for you

It improves your memory, apparently.

AFTER YEARS OF having its virtues in fighting cancer extolled, green tea has been proven to improve brain function.

Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland are reporting evidence that green tea extract can improve the cognitive functions, in particular memory.

The results are published in the academic journal Psychopharmacology and show that the extract helped subjects better remember and use information that was presented to them.

In the study, healthy male volunteers received a soft drink containing green tea extract before they solved working memory tasks.

The scientists then analysed how this affected the brain activity of the men using MRIs.

The MRI showed increased connectivity between the parietal and the frontal cortex of the brain. These findings correlated positively with improvement in task performance of the participants. «Our findings suggest that green tea might increase the short-term synaptic plasticity of the brain», says Professor Stefan Borgwardt from the Psychiatric University Clinics.

The researchers say that the study could have implications for treating dementia.

Read: The Irish Cancer Society and Science Foundation Ireland are joining forces to battle the disease

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34 Comments
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    Mute TOP CAT
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:09 PM

    Where the F**k did i leave the teapot????…

    246
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    Mute Steffen Tornóir
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:30 PM

    Ah, yet another natural thing that’s good for you, wonder how long it will be before they ban it and you can only get it through prescription?? St. John’s wart springs to mind!!

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    Mute Gary Maxwell
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    Apr 12th 2014, 6:32 PM

    Its great for people who suffer from Crohns disease, very easy on the tummy

    48
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    Mute whitesloe
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    Apr 12th 2014, 6:41 PM

    Yep. Peppermint tea can feel as effective as Buscopan too sometimes.

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    Mute Aideen O M
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    Apr 12th 2014, 9:10 PM

    There are reasons for putting St John’s wort on prescription. It interacts with so many common medications which can result in disaster.

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    Mute Suzanne Tully
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    Apr 13th 2014, 2:51 AM

    Really Gary? I’ve crohns! I’ve often had a cup of Barry’s green tea with lemongrass and felt a lil bit more awake ! Didn’t realise it was helping me though!

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    Mute breda clarke
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    Apr 13th 2014, 9:47 AM

    Good point. I’ve read it interacts with the contraceptive pill, not good if you’re taking St John’s Wort for depression.

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    Mute Gary Maxwell
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    Apr 13th 2014, 12:00 PM

    @ Suzanne
    My other half has Crohns nearly 5 years now, she drinks green tea, camomille tea and ginger tea, also barrys decaf..
    But every Crohns sufferer differs from how serious their condition is, you know that already im sure.. Hope you have yours somewhat under control :)

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    Mute Suzanne Tully
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    Apr 13th 2014, 12:37 PM

    I have it 9 years! In a major flare at the min! Think I’ll go stock up on tea bags,I’d try anything at this stage! Thanks for the info :)

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    Mute Gary Maxwell
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    Apr 13th 2014, 1:29 PM

    Ouch ya poor thing!! Hope either of those gives you some relief hun

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    Mute Suzanne Tully
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    Apr 13th 2014, 3:48 PM

    Such is life :) cheers! Hope your other half keeps well! Thanks again

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    Mute Trevor Mac
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    Apr 13th 2014, 8:31 PM

    I had someone close who had it that benefitted greatly from Ayurvedic diet and medicine . It’s not a fad, it’s 5000 years old . Eg . http://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/symptom/Crohns-Disease/359

    There is also a 4/6 week procedure /diet which can greatly help called panchakarma ( this can help many disease full stop ) . Ayurvedic practise can be highly effective alone and in cooperation with ” modern medicine “

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    Mute Cáit Ní Chonchobair
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    Apr 21st 2014, 6:52 PM

    Peppermint tea is not the same thing as green tea.

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    Mute Lex Luther
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:09 PM

    What about mushroom tea? It’s better again. Works a treat as an anti depressant.

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    Mute STEVE
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    Apr 12th 2014, 8:20 PM

    Trippy shit

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    Mute me so harney
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:11 PM

    It tastes like piss and onions.

    44
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    Mute The Polar Bear
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:13 PM

    You tasted piss? Cool, you and Bear Grylls. What does piss taste like?

    99
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    Mute Lex Luther
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:17 PM

    Put some sugar in an twil be grand.

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    Mute me so harney
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:21 PM

    Green Tea.

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:39 PM

    Honey! Better for you. BTW, me so harney, what kind of mushrooms? Out of pure interest, of course!

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    Mute Patrick Mc Donnell
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:58 PM

    Bit like green tea apparently!

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    Mute me so harney
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    Apr 12th 2014, 7:45 PM

    That was Lex I think?

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    Mute Les Rock
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:38 PM

    Wheres Frank to tell us it was created in a c.i.a. lab to control our minds

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    Mute Siobhan Fallon
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    Apr 12th 2014, 5:31 PM

    Is that how he controls all his girlfriends minds :-P

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    Mute ipsum oleum
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    Apr 12th 2014, 5:59 PM

    Most of the old cures and remedies have merit and when researched have some sound science behind them. The willow gave us Aspirin for example,then there’s Comfrey ( Knitbone as it is also known ) ,Yew is showing great promise as a cure for many cancers, Pomegranate for prostate problems and so many more.

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    Mute The Polar Bear
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:08 PM

    Green tea is also a good masking agent for drug tested athletes, maskng testoterone use.

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Apr 12th 2014, 5:20 PM

    Just brush your teeth Mark & you’ll be grand! :-)

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    Mute Siobhan Fallon
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    Apr 12th 2014, 6:00 PM

    At least he won’t forget

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    Mute Mark smith
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    Apr 12th 2014, 4:40 PM

    It’s nice but it stains the teeth a bit, not as much as coffee though

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Apr 12th 2014, 5:18 PM

    I drink loads of it same way ide drink ordinary tea with a drop of milk & sugar love it.

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    Mute Mark Gerard Lochlain
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    Apr 12th 2014, 6:57 PM

    It’s great pre Gym also..!!!! Green tea and nuts!!!!

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    Mute Tom Gavin
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    Apr 12th 2014, 6:25 PM

    Green tea has a contradictory effect on some anti-depressant medication, be careful!!

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    Mute Mark smith
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    Apr 12th 2014, 10:46 PM

    Good I’ve been having trouble getting it up

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