http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/content.phtml?ref=1098795043

Summary:

• Drinking regular cups of tea could help improve your memory, suggest researchers who are investigating alternative forms of treatment for Alzheimer's Disease.
• Results of laboratory tests by a team from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne found that green and black tea inhibit the activity of certain enzymes in the brain which are associated with memory.
• For their experiment, the research team, from Newcastle University's Medicinal Plant Research Centre, investigated the properties of coffee and green and black tea in a series of scientific experiments.
• Black tea -- traditional English breakfast tea -- is derived from the same plant as green tea, Camellia sinensis, but has a different taste and appearance because it is fermented.
• Both teas inhibited the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which breaks down the chemical messenger or neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.
• Green tea and black tea also hinder the activity of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), which has been discovered in protein deposits which are found on the brain of patients with Alzheimer's.
• Green tea went one step further in that it obstructed the activity of beta-secretase, which plays a role in the production of protein deposits in the brain which are associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• Scientists also found that it continued to have its inhibitive effect for a week, whereas black tea's enzyme-inhibiting properties lasted for only one day.
• Drugs currently on the market hinder the activity of AChE, and others are being developed which scientists hope will inhibit the activity of BuChE and beta-secretase.
• Lead researcher, Dr Ed Okello (pictured), who is also a lecturer with Newcastle University's School of Biology, said: "Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, tea could potentially be another weapon in the armoury which is used to treat this disease and slow down its development.