Green Tea Catechins and COVID-19: Epidemiological Trends and Therapeutic Perspectives

Pharmacological studies in vitro demonstrate the preventive and therapeutic potential of green tea and its constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Previously reported correlations between per capita green tea consumption and COVID- 19 morbidity/mortality suggest similar effects in vivo. Considering that some recent SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) sub-variants are less influenced by EGCG, this study aimed to determine whether this affects the aforementioned correlations, focusing on comparisons between the periods before (2021) and after (2022-2024) the emergence of the Omicron variant.

Correlations between per capita green tea consumption and COVID-19 morbidity/mortality were calculated using multiple regression models accounting for several confounding factors in a subset (n=84) of countries/territories worldwide with Human Development Index (HDI) above 0.55.

Higher per capita green tea consumption was associated with lower COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Statistically significant correlations were observed in 2021-2024. Compared with 2021, the strength of both correlations decreased; the relative decrease in the strength of the correlation between per capita green tea consumption and COVID-19 mortality was notably less pronounced.

This differential decrease at the epidemiological level supports the idea that green tea consumption may have not only preventive but also therapeutic value regarding COVID-19. This aligns with in vitro pharmacological evidence indicating that green tea constituents target distinct molecular pathways responsible for the entry of the virus and its replication.

While promising, these findings require further assessment in observational and interventional studies focused on potential therapeutic benefits.