Epigallocatechin 3- gallate (also known as EGCG) is an antioxidant derived from green tea. Earlier research has shown that EGCG helps to prevent the production of beta-amyloid deposits in mice. Beta amyloid is a peptide (chain of amino acids–like a small piece of protein) that is linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. EGCG has also been shown to reduce memory problems in mice that are bred to develop an Alzheimer’s-like condition.

Alzheimer
Research appearing in Neuroscience Letters (2010;471(3):134–138) divided specially bred mice (to develop an Alzheimer’s-like condition) into five groups, each with a different diet for a period of six months. A control group was given a standard diet. Other groups were given either fish oil, a high dosage of EGCG, a low dosage of EGCG, or a low dosage of EGCG combined with fish oil. Mice that were fed a combination of EGCG and fish oil had a significant reduction in amyloid deposits. A low dose of EGCG alone, without the fish oil did not produce this result. Also, there were high levels of EGCG found in the blood and brain tissue in the mice that were given fish oil along with the EGCG. The researchers speculated that the fish oil may have enhanced the bioavailability of the EGCG.