Kolkata, Dec 16 (IANS): Black tea, known for its immunity boosting potential, can also help prevent and mitigate the effects of stomach ulcers caused by alcohol consumption, a scientist said here.

Excessive alcohol intake can irritate the stomach lining, triggering inflammation - a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful.

Inflammation increases the risk of developing ulcers. Alcohol abuse also interferes with the body's ability to heal ulcers.

"We found that extracts of black tea engage in anti-ulcer activity and helps mitigate its negative effects," Anirban Roy, a scientist at the drug development diagnostics and biotechnology division of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, told IANS here.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the Cesin International Conference at the institute here.

Roy said aqueous extract of black tea was shown to exert regulatory effects over a group of proteins that play a pivotal role during the development and healing of gastric ulcer.

"Moreover, the extract restored the integrity of the cells against alcohol insult," said Roy, one of the researchers who conducted the study.

Another highlight of the study was the find that addition of citric acid to the black tea extract provides stronger protection against ulcers, than the extract alone, he said.