Posted on 17th May 2010 @ 5:52 PM

The scientists have found the one ingredient in green tea, known as epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, can reduce 40% HIV binding to human CD4 cells.  EGCG does this by occupying the CD4 receptor on CD4 cells, thereby preventing HIV locking onto and docking with the cell. The findings means the green tea extract compound may present a new and natural compound for prevention and treatment of this disease.  At low concentrations the effects of green tea were partial, the researchers found, but just drinking two or three cups of green tea could reduce HIV binding by as much as 10 to 20 times. But the Sheffield team was quick to say that green tea was no cure for HIV. “We would not advocate green tea as the sole prophylactic but it may be useful in combination with other antiretroviral therapies,” said Dr Mike Williamson, of Sheffield University.
“It is not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection. We suggest it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected. “Future research is under way to determine how much effect can be expected from different amounts of tea,” he concluded.