03/22/2018 / By Michelle Simmons
A lot of diseases, such as fatty liver disease, are caused by oxidative stress. Fortunately, there are natural treatments that help fight it. One of these is a fermented tea called Pu-erh that contains antioxidant properties and glucose-regulating extracts and can protect the liver from impairment.
A team of researchers from China examined the oxidative stress reduction and liver protective effects of Pu-erh tea extracts on 50 rats that were fed a high-fat diet. They divided the rats into five groups: the normal-feed control group, the high-fat feed control group, and Pu-erh extract-treated groups with three levels of dosage. They also measured the rats’ body weight once a day. (Related: Pu-erh Tea is a Chinese Cholesterol Remedy and Overall Health Tonic)
The research team observed that Pu-erh extracts reduced the rats’ body weight, fat index, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide synthase levels and increased hepatic total superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities after the 12-week intervention. These changes indicated that the Pu-erh tea extracts contain potent protective effects against hepatic damage caused by oxidative stress.
The protective mechanism of the extracts of Pu-erh tea worked by activating the hepatic liver antioxidant system and reversing lipid peroxidation. Pu-erh tea extracts played an essential role in the regulation of glucose level by improving the glycogen synthesis and the pyruvate kinase activity. In turn, these prevented liver disease development and other complications associated with type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, the findings of the study suggested that Pu-erh tea could potentially be used to prevent and treat diseases related to oxidative stress, such as fatty liver disease.
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“Therefore, Pu-erh tea can be used as a potential healthy drink for prevention and/or treatment of fatty liver disease and many diseases associated with oxidative stress,” the researchers wrote.
Pu-erh tea is a Chinese herbal tea that is made through a special fermentation process with high temperature and high humidity. The fermented tea contains high levels of polyphenols, such as flavonoids, catechins, and theaflavin, which are known to contain antioxidant properties. As a result of the fermentation process, the tea also contains microorganisms that are beneficial to the body. Listed below are the other benefits of Pu-erh tea.
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Tagged Under: blood glucose, diabetes, fermented tea, food science, hepatoprotective effect, high-fat diet, Liver, liver diseases, liver protection, oxidation, oxidative stress, prevention, Pu-erh tea, Pu-erh tea extracts, tea, Type 2 Diabetes