Drink is high in antioxidants which helps regulate blood pressure and body fat

Women who drank five or more cups daily had a 17 per cent lower risk of dying early if they drank

Just one cup of green tea a day could lower the risk of heart disease and premature death, according to Japanese researchers.

Their study of more than 90,000 people aged 40 to 69 over four years found that the more green tea they drank, the less likely they were to die from heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease.

Women who drank just one cup a day had a 10 per cent lower risk of dying early, but this rose to 17 per cent if they drank five or more cups daily. A similar trend was seen in men, reports Annals of Epidemiology.

One theory is that green tea is high in antioxidants called polyphenols, including EGCG, which helps regulate blood pressure and body fat.

Freezing therapy targets back pain
A hand-held device that freezes nerves and blocks unwanted pain signals in 90 seconds is being used to tackle back pain.

It relies on radiowaves to target nerves that transport pain signals to the brain.

In a trial at Northwestern University in the U.S., 40 patients will be treated with the device or conventional heat therapy to block signals in a similar way.

Researchers will be blocking signals from the nerves of the lumbar facet joint, which is found at the bottom of the spine and is implicated in the most common type of back pain.

The specific nerves sending pain signals will be identified with scans beforehand during a bout of pain.

Participants in the study will receive a single 15-minute session and then have monthly check-ups to monitor pain symptoms.

Ulcer bug linked to brain disease
Treating a common stomach bug could help to improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, more commonly associated with stomach problems, has been found in higher levels in patients with the movement disorder, and is also thought to interfere with the effectiveness of medications.

In a trial, 100 people with Parkinson’s will take a drug to eradicate the infection, or will be given a placebo, twice a day.

Their condition will be monitored for three months, including the way they walk.

The researchers, at the University of Malaya in Malaysia, say that getting rid of the bacteria may improve the effectiveness of common drugs and, therefore, the movement problems of Parkinson’s patients.

Written for the Daily Mail, February 22, 2016.

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