Washington, March 6 (IANS) What ancient Chinese and Japanese believed about green tea’s health giving properties is being borne out by ongoing scientific studies, especially in weight loss, heart health, and cancer prevention. Researchers also found that routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums, after analysing the periodontal health of 940 men.
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, and has been associated with the progression of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

“It has been long speculated that green tea possesses a host of health benefits,” said study author Yoshihiro Shimazaki of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan.

“And since many of us enjoy green tea on a regular basis, my colleagues and I were eager to investigate the impact of green tea consumption on periodontal health, especially considering the escalating emphasis on the connection between periodontal health and overall health.”

Male participants aged 49 through 59 were examined on three indicators of periodontal disease: periodontal pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) of gum tissue, and bleeding on probing (BOP) of the gum tissue.

Researchers observed that for every one cup of green tea consumed per day, there was a decrease in all three indicators, therefore signifying a lower instance of periodontal disease in those subjects who regularly drank green tea, said a Kyushu release.

Green tea’s ability to help reduce symptoms of periodontal disease may be due to the presence of the antioxidant catechin.

These findings were published in Periodontology, the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).