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Matcha Tea: A New Weapon Against Hay Fever Sneezes?
15 Mar
Summary
- Matcha tea may significantly reduce sneezing in mice with hay fever.
- The green tea powder appears to affect the brainstem's sneeze reflex.
- Further human studies are planned to confirm matcha's allergy relief benefits.
Scientists have discovered that matcha tea, a powdered green tea, may help alleviate sneezing associated with hay fever. Research conducted on mice engineered to exhibit hay fever symptoms revealed a notable decrease in sneezing episodes following regular matcha consumption over five weeks. These mice also received an extra dose of matcha before allergen exposure.
The study, published in npj Science of Food, indicates that matcha's benefit stems from its influence on the brainstem's sneezing reflex. Researchers observed that matcha treatment reduced the activation of neurons in the brain associated with sneezing. Interestingly, this effect was distinct from changes in key immune responses like IgE, mast cells, or T cells.
This promising finding has led to plans for human studies to determine if matcha offers similar relief for individuals suffering from allergic rhinitis. The goal is to establish an evidence-based, food-derived option to complement existing treatments for hay fever symptoms.
