Green Tea (2010) Green Tea Can Help Combat Glaucoma

Researchers in China say that green tea may protect against eye diseases such as glaucoma.

The researchers confirmed that substances found in green tea, which is known for its antioxidant and disease-fighting properties, were absorbed in the lens, retina and other eye tissue. Until this research it was not actually known whether green tea substances actually passed from the gastrointestinal tract into eye tissue.

The researchers analyzed the eye tissue of laboratory rats that drank green tea and found that several "catechins" in green tea that contain antioxidants -- including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin -- were absorbed by the eye in significant amounts.

The researchers said green tea catechins reduced harmful oxidative stress in the eye for up to 20 hours, saying, "Our results indicate that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress."

Reference: Chi Pui Pang of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Eye Hospital, study published in the April, 2010, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry