Green tea could hold the key to preventing thousands of deaths each year caused by strokes and heart disease , a new study has claimed.
一項新的研究表明，每年都有上個人因中風(fēng)和心臟疾病而死亡，而常喝綠茶則是預(yù)防這種死亡的關(guān)鍵。

Scientists had been researching epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a compound found in green tea, for its ability to reduce amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients.
科學(xué)家一直在研究綠茶中的一種成分epigallocatechin-3-gallate（簡稱EGCG），看其能否減少阿爾茲海默（老年癡呆）病人腦中的淀粉樣斑塊”（這些斑塊會損害大腦細胞之間的聯(lián)系，導(dǎo)致記憶力退化）。

However, a team from Lancaster University and the University of Leeds now believe EGCG can also break up potentially dangerous protein plaques found in blood vessels.
但是，來自蘭開斯特大學(xué)和利茲大學(xué)的研究小組發(fā)現(xiàn)EGCG可以破壞血管上面有潛在危險的蛋白質(zhì)沉積。

Atherosclerosis, the build-up of fatty material inside arteries that reduces the flow of blood, can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks or stroke.
動脈粥樣硬化，也就是在血管中形成的脂肪物質(zhì)會減緩血液流動，會提高罹患心臟病和中風(fēng)的風(fēng)險。

But, in the paper published in the Journal Biological Chemistry, researchers said EGCG can bind to fibres in the tissue, converting them into smaller, soluble molecules less likely to cause damage.
但是根據(jù)《生物科學(xué)期刊》上面發(fā)表的論文，研究人員說EGCG讓纖維和組織相結(jié)合，讓他們變小，可溶性分子不太可能造成損傷。

?“Our results show that this intriguing compound might also be effective against the types of plaques which can cause heart attacks and strokes.”
“我們的研究結(jié)果表明，綠茶中的這個成分，對于產(chǎn)生心臟病和中風(fēng)的沉積也有作用?！?/div>

The researchers, funded by the British Heart Foundation , are now beginning to look at ways effective levels EGCG could be introduced into the bloodstream without individuals being required to drink huge quantities of green tea.
由英國心臟基金會出資，研究者們不用讓被試人員引入大量的綠茶，而能使血管內(nèi)的EGCG標(biāo)準(zhǔn)達到有效水平。

Methods could include modifying the structure of the compound to make it easier to absorb through the stomach, or delivering the chemical to a precise location via injection.
這些方法包括改變EGCG的結(jié)構(gòu)讓它更容易被胃吸收，或者通過在某個特定位置進行注射這種化學(xué)物質(zhì)來實現(xiàn)。

Despite the positivity from scientists involved in the research, not all experts are convinced of the study's importance.
盡管研究有積極的成果，不過不是所有專家都認同這項研究的重要性。

Tim Chico, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Sheffield, described the research as “interesting”, but added more information was needed before conclusions could be drawn.
來自謝菲爾德大學(xué)的心血管藥物的教授Tim Chico將這項研究“很有意思”，不過還需要更多的信息才能夠得出結(jié)論。

?“It is far too early to suggest that this will lead to new treatments,” he said.
“要把這種方式作為一項新的治療手段還有很長的路要走?！彼f。

“There are thousands of researchers working across the globe using many different approaches to try to tackle heart disease, and people should be encouraged that we are making great progress.
“在世界各地有數(shù)以千計的研究者通過多種不同的手段來治療心臟病，我們?nèi)〉昧撕艽蟮某尚В蠹覒?yīng)該為此鼓舞。”

“However, adopting a healthy active lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight remain the best ways to reduce our risk of heart disease.“
”不過，要有一種積極健康的生活方式，均衡飲食，不抽煙，保持健康體重，這才是減少心臟病風(fēng)險的最好方式?！?/div>

Heart and circulatory disease claims the lives of around 160,000 people in the UK each year, accounting for roughly a quarter of deaths nationwide, while a further 40,000 suffer fatal stokes.
每年在英國有16萬人因心臟病和循環(huán)系統(tǒng)疾病而死亡，占了全球因該病死亡人數(shù)的四分之一。而且還有4萬人因中風(fēng)而致命。

（翻譯：林潯鷗）

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