If you suffer a seasonal or year-round allergy, do you know EGCG3″Me – a special type of EGCG catechin in Japanese green tea helps to improve allergy symptoms?
This special catechin is included some cultivars and not all cultivars have EGCG3″Me.
If you like Yabukita or Asatsuyu cultivars, we are sorry to say that your favorite teas don’t have EGCG3″Me. Cultivars has in EGCG3″Me are such as
Benifuji, Benifuki, Benifomare, Okumidori, Benihikari, Yamatomidori, Kuritawase, Okumusashi, Yamakai, Ujihikari, Yaeho, Okuyutaka, Goko, Makinoharawase, Asagiri, Yutakamidori, Sayamamidori, Samidori
And the following cultivars have not been detected EGCG3″Me.
Yabukita, Yamanami, Takachiho, Surugawase, Sayamakaori, Oiwase, Meiryoku, Kanayamidori, Asatsuyu
1. What is an allergic reaction?
An allergy symptom is the overreaction of our immune system to some harmless substances.
The normally harmless substances, we call them allergens, create IgE antibodies and connect to our mast cell that carries histamines.
Once allergens tough the IgE antibodies, they send signals to the mast cell to release histamines.
(Omori et al. “Tea Health Benefits 20”, Japan Tea Central Public Interest Incorporated Association,2020, P23, Link to this research paper)
2. How EGCG3″Me catechin works?
EGCG3″Me suppresses making IgE receptors for IgE antibodies to connect mast cells and prevent signals to release histamines.
(Omori et al. “Tea Health Benefits 20”, Japan Tea Central Public Interest Incorporated Association,2020, P23, Link to this research paper)
3. EGCG3″Me Clinical Trial
This small clinical trial implies EGCG3″Me improves allergy symptoms. And if you take EGCG3″Me with a pinch of grind ginger, the higher likelihood to work better.
(Maeda-Yamamoto et al. “In vitro and in vivo anti-allergic effects of ‘benifuki’ green tea containing O-methylated catechin and ginger extract enhancement”, Cytotechnology,2007, P135-142, Link to this research paper)
4. Brewing Guide – How to maximize the benefits of MCGC3″Me for your allergy
4-1. Green tea, not oolong tea or black tea
Many cultivars rich in EGCG3″Me were developed for Japanese black tea. It tastes great for black tea but EGCG3″Me is disappeared by the making process of black tea. So please choose green tea if you want to take EGCG3″Me. This catechin has a strong bitter and astringent taste.
4-2. Start drinking before allergy season
If your allergy is seasonal, we recommend starting to drink before the allergy season. It works better than start drinking after you develop the symptoms. If you have a year-round allergy, start any time!
4-3. Use hot water and stir well
EGCG3″Me is extracted well to hot water. Please stir well if you use powder tea. If you use leaf tea or teabag, steep for 5 min. And make your tea only for your immediate consumption
4-4. Don’t brew with cold water
Don’t leave tea for a long time after you brew. Because there are some chances your tea will make pheophorbide that can cause photosensitive dermatitis. Brewing with lukewarm water(40C / 104F) is not recommended either.
