Catechins are a group of phytochemicals that belong to the flavonoid class. Chemically catechins are flavan-3-ols. Catechins are found in plant foods and good sources include apples and tea. Catechins may have beneficial effects against mood disorders and may be a useful treatment for anxiety and depression. Animal models have investigated the effects of catechins on anxious and depressive behaviour and found there to be beneficial effects. For example, in one study researchers administered catechins to rats that had been stressed by the injection of corticosterone (the main animal stress hormone). The researchers reported that the rats that had been administered catechins were significantly protected from the negative effects of the corticosterone, and this included a reduction in anxious and depressive behaviour. Catechins may protect from mood disorders due to the antioxidant effects in the brain that limits cellular damage to neurones in the hippocampus, or through control of cell signalling in neurones.
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