Page 82 - FoodFocusThailand No.231 June 2025

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STRATEGIC R&DTEGIC R&D

Mitigating NCDs Risks Through

Green Tea, Herbs, Protein,

and Beneficial Microorganisms

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) arise from a confluence of genetic predispositions, physiological
states, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices. A 2023 statistical report from the Thai Ministry of
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Public Health highlights cancer, tumours, and cardiovascular diseases as the leading non-communicable
causes of mortality within the Thai population. Nevertheless, proactive behavioral adjustments hold
significant promise in preventing and managing the severity of these NCDs. Embracing the “3Es and
2Ss” principle (Eating, Exercise, Emotion, Stop Smoking, Stop Drinking), advocated by the Ministry of
Public Health and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), alongside the consumption of
health-promoting foods, particularly antioxidant-rich functional foods with bioactive properties, represents
a potentially effective strategy for bolstering overall well-being.

Green Tea: A Potent Natural Beverage for associated with the negative regulation of nuclear factor
Cardiovascular Health and Cancer Defense kappa B (NF-κB), consequently promoting cell death,
Green tea boasts a rich profile of bioactive compounds, impeding cell division, preventing the spread of cancerous
notably epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which can cells, and inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels that
systematically induce apoptosis through nuclear nourish tumors .
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condensation, Caspase-3 activation, and the cleavage of Beyond its anticancer properties, green tea, green tea
poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) . These molecular extract or catechins can contribute to cardiovascular health
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events can exert control over the cell cycle by impeding by reducing both blood glucose levels – specifically fasting
cellular mitosis at the G1/S and G2/M transitions, thereby blood sugar (FBS) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)
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hindering cancerous cell proliferation and DNA synthesis, – and blood lipid levels – namely, total cholesterol (TC),
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ultimately leading to cell death . Furthermore, these low-density lipoprotein (LDL) , and triglycerides (TG) – while
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compounds play a crucial role in inhibiting the activation of concurrently elevating high-density lipoprotein (HDL). These
mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including compounds can also inhibit lipoprotein oxidation and activate
extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide
kinase (JNK), and the p38 MAPK pathway. This inhibition is dismutase (SOD), which can protect the vascular endothelium

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