The journal Food & Function noted that the study results showed that the polyphenols in this tea can alleviate memory and behavioral disturbances caused by chronic sleep deprivation.
During experiments conducted on laboratory mice, researchers simulated chronic sleep deprivation and assessed the condition of gut microbes, protective barriers, and the brain. A separate group of mice was given polyphenol supplements extracted from oolong tea. Polyphenols are biologically active substances found mainly in plant products and are characterized by their antioxidant properties, which help neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and tissues.
The results showed that sleep deprivation caused significant disturbances in the gut microbiota of the experimental mice: the number of beneficial bacteria decreased and the proportion of harmful microorganisms increased, leading to a weakening of the intestinal barrier and an increase in inflammation in the bodies of those animals. This contributed to the entry of bacterial toxins into the bloodstream. The effectiveness of protection in the brain also decreased, neuroinflammatory cells were activated, and the balance of neurotransmitters changed, leading to a deterioration in cognitive functions.
After adding polyphenols to the mice's diet, a restoration of gut microbiome diversity was observed: the number of beneficial bacteria of the "Lactobacillus" type increased and the number of harmful bacteria such as "Desulfovibrio" decreased. At the same time, the health of the gut-brain barriers was enhanced, inflammation decreased, and the functions of the hippocampus—a key area in the brain involved in memory formation—were restored.
