New Study Reveals Types Of Tea That Are Effective Against COVID's Omicron Subvariant

The worst phase of COVID-19, which we witnessed during the second coronavirus wave in India, is over. The Omicron variant and its sub-lineages have been comparatively merciful, but they sure haven’t made life any easier for us. While the world may have resumed their normal activities, scientists continue to make efforts in improving vaccine quality and finding effective treatments  against the virus. 

Recently, a new study found three different types of teas (yes, you heard it right) that can fight against COVID’s Omicron subvariants. Let’s take a look at the details. 

Also Read: Study Finds Long COVID Can Occur In People Who’ve Tested Negative For COVID: Know The Signs

Study Findings

The study, published in the Journal Scientific Reports, investigated the effectiveness of tea and its catechins against COVID's Omicron subvariant.

It seems that drinking three particular types of teas, namely green tea, black tea, or a matcha tea can help “effectively” inactivate the virus, thereby fighting Omicron subvariants, as per the study. 

Previous research by the authors from the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Japan had assessed the impact of these tea-based molecules, known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and its derivative theaflavin-3,3'-di-O-digallate (TFDG), on earlier strains of COVID and found that it stopped the SARS-CoV-2 virus from working by connecting with a specific part called the "receptor-binding domain" on the virus's surface.

But in this study, when they looked at the different types of the Omicron variant, which are now the most common forms of the virus, they discovered that the changes in the virus have actually made black tea and similar drinks even better at fighting COVID. 

The researchers said in their study that compounds in these drinks, like EGCG and TFDG, could really stop the BA.1 and XE versions of the virus, although they were not as effective against BA.2.75.

How These Tea Combat COVID

To determine whether tea and its compounds could stop different forms of the Omicron virus, the scientists checked if saliva from people who ate candies with black or green tea could kill the Omicron BA.1 virus in a lab setting.

To do this, they exposed the Omicron virus to black or green tea made from tea powder or tea leaves. They looked at how effective different tea compounds were at killing the virus by treating it with these compounds for a short time.

They also tested if one specific compound in tea called EGCG could stop the virus from infecting cells. They used computer simulations to see how EGCG and another compound called TFDG stopped the virus from attaching to cells.

Also Read: From Eris To Pirola, Latest COVID-19 Variants To Watch Out For: Symptoms To Note

They found EGCG and TFDG latch on to the virus in the same place where it usually connects to a door-like receptor called ACE2 in our cells. This receptor acts like a gateway, allowing the virus to get inside our cells and make us sick. But when these tea chemicals block this connection, the virus can't get in, and it can't make us sick anymore.

The study included 7 healthy volunteers who ate either a sweet made of different types of tea (matcha, black and green tea) or a placebo.

The study authors said, “We found that all the omicron subvariants we tested were efficiently inactivated by treatment with green tea, matcha green tea, and black tea for 10 seconds."

“A candy containing green tea or black tea may be useful for inactivating the virus if infected persons consume it, to decrease virus load in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of the infected person, as well as to prevent spread of the virus from the infected persons to nearby uninfected persons,” they added. 

Other Measures To Take Against COVID

Here are other measures to prevent COVID-19 infection:

• Get vaccinated and consider booster shots if recommended
• Wear a mask in crowded or indoor settings
• Practise physical distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick
• Stay home if you feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms and seek testing and medical advice

Bottomline

Although there is no sure-shot way to prevent COVID-19 or an effective treatment against it, we must do our share in preventing the spread by taking necessary measures. If you feel sick, monitor your symptoms or speak to a medical professional to diagnose your condition. You can also take an at-home self test to confirm. If you get a positive test result, ensure that you self-isolate until you test negative for the virus. Take plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids, eat healthy and manage your stress levels.