With severe allergy season currently raging here, people are looking for effective ways to alleviate their symptoms. However, scientists have revealed that instead of taking medication, you should visit the nearest coffee shop. , right a popular Japanese drink could suppress one of the main symptoms.
- A Japanese experiment on genetically modified mice confirmed the suppression of hay fever symptoms.
- Three doses of matcha powder per week for five weeks reduced allergic symptoms.
- The researchers say that despite the promising results, more extensive research is needed.
According to scientists, matcha, a grass-colored tea that has become an extremely popular drink in Slovakia in recent years, could be the key to less frequent sneezing. The Japanese team discovered this thanks to an experiment on mice that were genetically modified to show symptoms of seasonal allergies similar to those of humans.
Three doses of the green powder per week for five weeks were shown to have a significant effect on hay fever symptoms in mice. The reason alone surprised the researchers. While conventional allergy medications suppress the body’s natural immune response in an attempt to limit the reaction to allergens, instead, matcha alleviated symptoms by acting on the nervous system—specifically, the part of the brainstem where the sneeze reflex resides.
Scientists have discovered that matcha can relieve you of sneezing. (illustrative photo)
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The extract disrupted the receptors that trigger the involuntary sneeze reflex and helped the body react to allergens much more calmly. Although it was not immediately clear what was causing this strange phenomenon, researchers hypothesize that this may be related to the bioactive compounds in matcha, whose anti-inflammatory effects have made the drink famous around the world.
Despite the promising results, the team stressed that more extensive research is needed to fully understand how matcha might affect sneezing mechanisms in humans.. This is because the mice were getting about ten times the amount of extract found in a regular cup. “We do not expect the drink to have a significant therapeutic effect on the allergy itself, but it may provide some relief by reducing sneezing,” stated study co-author Osamu Kaminuma.
Several allergists, who were excited by the findings, also commented on the study, but stressed the need for further research into the topic.. “Personally, I have no concerns if you drink this tea, but you shouldn’t overdo it. Don’t start drinking eight to ten cups a day right away,” pointed out Dr. David Corry, professor of immunology, allergology and rheumatology at the American University of Baylor College of Medicine.
