Roman Bystrianyk, "Green tea helps protects the liver", Health
Sentinel, September 29, 2004,

A new study finds that green tea helps protect the liver from damage.
Green tea contains compounds called polyphenols. These polyphenols
have received the most attention because of their anti-inflammatory
and antioxidant properties. The main constituent, that also has the
highest antioxidant properties, is epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG
for short.

The study authors exposed groups of mice to a toxic substance – carbon
tetrachloride. The group that was given EGCG for 3 days prior to
administration of this toxic substance had markedly less liver damage
than the group that did not receive the EGCG. In fact, the EGCG
group's liver measurements were close to that of the control group
that didn't receive the carbon tetrachloride at all.

The authors explain that the steps believed to be involved in liver
damage first involve the formation of trichloromethyl free radicals
and then the subsequent activation of Kupffer cells with the release
of proinflammatory mediators. It is believed that it is green tea's
polyphenols, with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,
that provides this protection.

The authors conclude that, "Because green tea can be consumed over
long periods of time without any obviously known side effects, its
possible role as an adjunct therapeutic agent in human inflammatory
liver disease deserves consideration."

SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2004, Vol. 80