Do Tea And Coffee Protect Against Staphylococcus Aureus
Author: Karen Lennox
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
The drinks have antimicrobial properties against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, according to US scientists.
Tea and coffee have antimicrobial properties , according to US scientists.
Regular consumers of hot drinks are 2 times less likely to be infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) than those who do not drink. The results are based on a study of more than 5,500 Americans.
More than 20 species of staphylococci are known. They are gram-positive bacteria that are normally found on the surface of a healthy person 's skin .
Previous research has shown that drinking tea or inhaling tea extracts has antimicrobial properties against MRSA. Fewer laboratory studies have been done on the effect of coffee consumption, but scientists believe that it also has a positive effect.
According to researchers at the University of South Carolina, Charleston, tea and coffee actually protect against dangerous microorganisms.
In 1.4% of the study group, the presence of bacteria in the nose was detected. The data show that the risk of contact with staphylococcus is reduced by 50% in regular tea and coffee consumers.
However, scientists have not yet been able to prove a causal link that tea or coffee is the cause of a lower risk of MRSA infection. It is unclear whether this finding is a coincidence, says lead researcher Eric Mathison. That is why research in this direction continues.
Staphylococci are widespread in the population. According to statistics, about 30% of people are carriers of harmful microorganisms.
It is believed that in most cases the encounter with staphylococci does not develop a disease state, but in medical circles there is still debate whether carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are at increased risk of developing an active infection.
Maintaining a high level of hygiene, especially when staying in hospitals and public places, is one of the precautions against staphylococcal infection. They, like all other microorganisms, multiply at an accelerated rate in warm climates . Therefore, frequent washing with soap and water is especially recommended during the summer months.
The study is published in the Annals of Family Medicine .
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