The anti-allergic potential of tea: a review of its components, mechanisms and risks

Food Funct. 2021 Jan 7;12(1):57-69. doi: 10.1039/d0fo02091e. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Abstract

Allergy is an immune-mediated disease with increasing prevalence worldwide. Regular treatment with glucocorticoids and antihistamine drugs for allergy patients is palliative rather than permanent. Daily use of dietary anti-allergic natural products is a superior way to prevent allergy and alleviate the threat. Tea, as a health-promoting beverage, has multiple compounds with immunomodulatory ability. Persuasive evidence has shown the anti-allergic ability of tea against asthma, food allergy, atopic dermatitis and anaphylaxis. Recent advances in potential anti-allergic ability of tea and anti-allergic compounds in tea have been reviewed in this paper. Tea exerts its anti-allergic effect mainly by reducing IgE and histamine levels, decreasing FcεRI expression, regulating the balance of Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg cells and inhibiting related transcription factors. Further research perspectives are also discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Allergic Agents / immunology*
  • Anti-Allergic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / prevention & control*
  • Tea / immunology*

Substances

  • Anti-Allergic Agents
  • Tea