Drinking tea and wine may help prevent influenza, as a compound found in these beverages can boost the immune system, scientists say.
Researchers at Washington University in the United States found that a particular gut microbe can prevent severe flu infections in mice, by breaking down naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids.
Far-reaching effects
This strategy is effective in staving off severe damage from flu when the interaction occurs prior to infection with the influenza virus, researchers said. Microbes that live in the gut do not just digest food. They also have far-reaching effects on the immune system, they said.
“For years, flavonoids have been thought to have protective properties that help regulate the immune system to fight infections,” said Ashley Steed, from St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the U.S.
‘Common in diets’
“Flavonoids are common in our diets, so an important implication of our study is that it is possible that flavonoids work with gut microbes to protect us from flu and other viral infections,” Mr. Steed said.
Flavonoids are commonly found in black tea, red wine and blueberries.
The study was published in the journal Science.