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Health

Green tea extract may prevent Down’s syndrome face traits

By Alice Klein

20 March 2018

bowl of Green Tea powder

Can green tea extract benefit people with Down’s syndrome?

Ingfaphoto/Getty

People with Down’s syndrome who take green tea supplements from infancy are less likely to develop the characteristic facial features of the condition. But researchers have warned that parents shouldn’t give these supplements to their children yet because mouse studies suggest that high doses can cause abnormalities.

Down’s syndrome arises from having all or part of an extra chromosome, which affects the growth of the brain and skeleton. This can lead to a range of characteristics including intellectual disability, short stature and facial differences. There is evidence that…

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