绿茶能延缓阿尔兹海默的发病吗？

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an active compound found in green tea, may be able to delay the onset of this degenerative disease, according to research from Canada’s McMaster University.

根据加拿大麦克马斯特大学的研究，在绿茶中发现的一种活性化合物——儿茶素酸酯（EGCG）可能能够延缓这种退化性疾病的发病。

The results, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, showed that EGCG reduces cell death caused by toxic molecular complexes by not only stopping them from growing but also by reorganizing them into nontoxic formations.

发表在美国化学学会期刊上的研究结果表明，EGCG可以减少由有毒分子复合物引起的细胞死亡，这不仅可以阻止它们的生长，还可以将它们重组成无毒的结构。

“Our data suggest that EGCG coats the surface of the toxic oligomers and changes their ability to grow and interact with their environment,” explains lead researcher Giuseppe Melacini, PhD, a professor at McMaster University.

“我们的数据表明EGCG覆盖了有毒寡聚物的表面，并改变了它们生长和与周围环境相互作用的能力，”麦克马斯特大学的首席研究员Giuseppe Melacini博士解释说。

But don’t go thinking that you’ll reap these protective benefits by drinking cups upon cups of the green stuff.

但是不要认为你会通过喝杯绿色的东西来获得这些保护性的好处。

As Melacini notes, EGCG can be unstable within the body, and taking it orally doesn’t necessarily mean it will make its way to the brain.

正如Melacini所指出的，EGCG在体内是不稳定的，口服它并不一定意味着它会进入大脑。

Because of this, he and his team are looking into ways this compound can be modified so that it can be better administered and accepted by the body.

正因为如此，他和他的团队正在研究如何改良这种化合物，以便更好地管理和接受身体。

Until then, there are other reasons to keep drinking: Green tea consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

在此之前，还有其他原因可以保持饮酒：绿茶的饮用量可以降低患心脏病、高血压和中风的风险。