Do tea polyphenols effect the growth of bifidobacterium?
Yes, see following report: Mitsuoka T. Intestinal Flora and Aging. Nutrition Reviews (1992) 50:438-446. “Mitsuoka is one of the few widely published researchers in this field (probiotics) and s associated with the Nippon Veterinary and Animal Science University in Kyonan-cho Japan. Without getting into the full article, he basically says that as one ages, the intestinal flora change their relative proportions. Bifidobacteria are diminished, whereas clostridia increases significantly (along with lactobacilli, streptococci, and entero-bacteria). The metabolism of bacteria appear to play a more important role in human health than previously thought, and as such, the shift of bacteria in health and disease may provide indications of prospective health. What we eat or drink contributes considerably to the selective growth of various bacteria. This particular study reports that tea polyphenols (as in green tea) appear to moderately enhance the growth of the bifido-bacterium and selectively i
