Matcha Tea Health Benefits
You hear a lot about this trendy drink these days, but is matcha tea good for you? And, if so, what are the specific matcha tea health benefits?
Before we get into that, lets take a look back. Although matcha tea is indeed trendy, it can be traced a full thousand years back to the Tang Dynasty in China. Matcha eventually made its way to Japan, where it became part of the traditional tea ceremony built on the principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility.
Health Benefits Of Increased Hdl Levels
The increased ratio of HDL in the body has its own benefits. It removes the harmful cholesterol from the body and reduces the risks of developing cardiovascular diseases including heart disease and stroke. According to these studies, those who take up to 4 cups of powdered tea per day lower their total cholesterol levels. The benefits have been noticed in everyone including those taking a balanced diet and those consuming diets rich in fat.
It is not just the tea, even those who take extracts of catechins have been found to experience similar health benefits. Those who took such extracts regularly showed lower risks of cholesterol-based or fat-based health conditions.
Teas To Lower Cholesterol
What is the best tea to lower cholesterol? This section will feature what may be the best traditional and herbal teas to lower cholesterol, based on research studies.
The popular traditional teas for lowering cholesterol will include black tea, green tea, oolong tea, and pu-erh tea. When it comes to herbal tea, the best cholesterol-lowering teas seem to be rooibos tea, bitter melon tea, ginger tea, hibiscus tea, jasmine tea, peppermint tea, and dandelion tea.
We will look closely at these traditional and herbal teas to see how they might reduce your high cholesterol.
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Pack Walnuts With Lunch
A snack that helps lower cholesterol can still be satisfying. About 1.5 ounces of nuts per day are part of a heart-healthy diet, says Blake. Nuts can take the edge off hunger when you might otherwise end up snacking on unhealthy options that wont improve cholesterol. The same Spanish study that demonstrated the benefits of olive oil found that replacing 40 percent of your daily saturated fat with about this amount of walnuts or almonds lowered LDL cholesterol by 10.8 and 13.4 percent, respectively.
If Lifestyle Changes Arent Enough
Take medications, if you need to, to lower your cholesterol into healthy ranges. Drugs like statins can be very effective, says Dr. Danine Fruge, MD, ABFP – Medical Director at the Pritikin Longevity Center, but do continue in your efforts to eat well and exercise because a healthy lifestyle can give you far, far more than drugs alone.
With a healthy living program like Pritikin, youre not only reducing cholesterol quickly, youre also creating changes throughout your body that can profoundly improve your overall well-being. Youre reducing blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Other heart disease risk factors like triglyceride fats are also dropping dramatically. Youre also reducing inflammatory factors that sicken arteries. Youre shedding excess weight. And, quite simply, youre feeling better, much better. Many of our guests at Pritikin tell us, I had no idea I could feel this good again.
Can any pill or combination of pills do all of the above? I highly doubt it. But a healthy lifestyle like Pritikin can.
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May Help You Live Longer
Given that some compounds in green tea may help protect against cancer and heart disease, it makes sense that it could help you live longer.
In one study, researchers studied 40,530 Japanese adults over 11 years. Those who drank the most green tea 5 or more cups per day were significantly less likely to die during the study period (
- Death of all causes: 23% lower in women, 12% lower in men
- Death from heart disease: 31% lower in women, 22% lower in men
- Death from stroke: 42% lower in women, 35% lower in men
Another study involving 14,001 older Japanese individuals found that those who drank the most green tea were 76% less likely to die during the 6-year study period .
Summary
What The Research Shows
Green tea has been shown to improve blood flow and lower cholesterol. A 2013 review of many studies found green tea helped prevent a range of heart-related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure.
Whatâs good for the heart is usually good for the brain your brain needs healthy blood vessels, too. In one Swiss study, MRIs revealed that people who drank green tea had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains. Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Green tea seems to help keep blood sugar stable in people with diabetes. Because catechins lower cholesterol and blood pressure, they can help protect against the damage a high-fat diet can cause, Ochner says.
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The Dietitian’s Verdict On Green Tea
Alison Hornby, a dietitian and BDA spokesperson, says the evidence about green tea’s health benefits is inconclusive.
She says: “In the Far East, green tea has been used as a treatment for a variety of conditions ranging from arthritis to weight loss, as well as a preventative measure for diseases such as cancer, although the evidence for the majority of these conditions is weak or lacking.
“However, as a social drink, it appears to be safe in moderate amounts, so lovers of green tea can continue to enjoy it.”
Egcg And Heart Health
There is an active compound in green tea called EGCGor epigallocatechin-3-gallate. It has been observed that EGCG has an effect on a protein called apolipoprotein A-1.
This protein sticks to the fatty buildup in arteries when an individual suffers from atherosclerosis. Thereby, worsening the condition.
It has been found that EGCG breaks down the protein apolipoprotein A-1 and lets the blood flow properly through the arteries.
This finding is quite positive but this effect is not possible by drinking just one cup of green tea a day. More research needs to be carried out in this regard.
Maybe in the years to come, EGCG can be used in developing new medicines for heart attack and stroke. Both are the leading causes of death worldwide and many people lose the battle of life because of them.
More studies will hopefully help in saving so many lives!
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How To Drink Teas To Lower Cholesterol
To take advantage of the benefits of the teas above and to lower your levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, it’s not recommended that you drink more than two cups daily. Especially those containing large amounts of theine, because you could experience negative consequences if you exceed the recommended amount. So it’s always advisable to consult a specialist for the exact amount, depending on the cholesterol level that you have. Nor is it advisable to drink the same infusion or tea every day for a long period of time. The best option is to choose one and drink it for a week or two, then take a break and trade off with another one.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to The Best Teas to Lower Cholesterol, we recommend you visit our Healthy living category.
Who Should Not Take Statins
Before prescribing a statin to anyone with liver disease, a doctor should thoroughly discuss the risks and possible benefits. If the liver disease is stable and chronic, taking a low-dose statin may carry greater benefits than risks. If the liver disease is progressive, however, guidelines warn against using statins.
If liver disease develops while taking a statin, the persons doctor may recommend reducing the dosage of the statin, switching statins, or stopping their use.
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or intending to become pregnant should not take statins.
It is typically not safe to combine statins with:
- erythromycin, an antibiotic
- a person has peripheral arterial disease
- after a heart attack or stroke
- if a blood test gives an LDL cholesterol reading of 190 milligrams per deciliter or higher
- if the reading is 70 mg/dl or higher in people aged 4075 with diabetes
- if the reading is 70 mg/dl or higher in people aged 4075 with a high risk of developing heart disease or a stroke
Atherosclerosis can develop and form plaques even when blood cholesterol levels are low. Statins may benefit people who already have atherosclerosis or have a high risk of developing it, even if they do not have high cholesterol levels.
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Green Tea Is A Natural Stimulant
Green tea is a natural source of caffeine, making it a great way to perk yourself up when youre feeling tired. The good news is that green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, meaning that you can sip this beverage throughout the afternoon without significantly disturbing your sleep or suffering through the jittery side effects of a caffeine overdose .
May Protect The Brain From Aging
Not only can green tea improve brain function in the short term, it may also protect your brain as you age.
Alzheimers disease is a common neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia in older adults .
Parkinsons disease is another common neurodegenerative disease and involves the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
Several studies show that the catechin compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models, possibly lowering the risk of dementia (
41 ).
Type 2 diabetes involves having elevated blood sugar levels, which may be caused by insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin.
Studies show that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels .
One study in Japanese individuals found that those who drank the most green tea had an approximately 42% lower risk of type 2 diabetes .
According to a review of 7 studies with a total of 286,701 individuals, tea drinkers had an 18% lower risk of diabetes .
Summary
Some controlled studies show that green tea may cause mild reductions in blood sugar levels. It may also lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
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How Does Green Tea Work On Cholesterol
Catechin is the most potent compound in green tea that demonstrate cholesterol-lowering properties. Studies show that it works on cholesterol in the following ways:
- Preventing cholesterol absorption within the intestines
- Increasing LDL receptor activity within the liver
- Increasing HDL cholesterol levels
- Lowering total cholesterol levels
Green Tea And Its Effect On Cholesterol
As per the research carried out, it has been found that individuals who consumed green tea witnessed a positive effect on their cholesterol levels.
LDL cholesterol which is labeled as the bad cholesterol gets reduced while there is no change in the good cholesterol i.e. HDL.
Now bad cholesterol or LDL has been named so because it is the trouble maker when it comes to heart health.
It leads to a fatty buildup in the arteries, a condition that is called atherosclerosis.
It makes the arteries narrow thereby restricting blood flow. This increases the risk for serious medical problems like heart attack, stroke, and the like.
It has been confirmed that green tea does have the ability to lower LDL even if it is minimal. This effect is chiefly due to the antioxidants present in green tea that are called catechins.
Therefore, it is a great idea to include green tea in your heart-healthy diet. Doing something for your heart health is better than doing absolutely nothing.
While taking care of what you eat and how much you exercise every day, a cup of green tea can go a long way in the upkeep of your heart health.
On a different note, dont expect green tea to do wonders all by itself. It would be unrealistic to do that.
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Cholesterol Lowering Tea Top 10 Choices
When most people think about consumables that lower cholesterol, one single edible comes to mind oatmeal. The breakfast staple has certainly earned its ranking as a heart healthy food, however may not always be at the top of everyones favorite things to eat list. What if you could lower cholesterol with a piping hot beverage? Or, pour yourself a glass of cholesterol lowering tea instead? Thanks to a wide variety of exciting and beneficial compounds found in nature not unlike those found in familiar oatmeal, drinking your way to heart health may be a real possibility.
When most people think about high cholesterol, what they are really thinking about is low density lipoproteins or, LDL cholesterol. This is commonly referred to as the bad type of blood fat, and the one responsible for clogging arteries and leading to serious health complications like heart attacks. Cholesterol is necessary for the body to carry out important physiological processes like building cells, but too much LDL cholesterol can greatly increase the risk of heart related disease and illness. Many times, high cholesterol levels are treated with medications in conjunction with lifestyle and dietary changes. However, considering cholesterol lowering tea before LDL levels get too out of whack may possibly be able to contribute to better heart health and a reduced risk of coronary related illnesses.
Drinks Containing Sterols And Stanols
Sterols and stanols are plant chemicals similar in shape and size to cholesterol that block the absorption of some cholesterol.
However, vegetables and nuts contain low levels of sterols and stanols that cannot lower cholesterol.
Companies are adding these chemicals to several foods and drinks, including fortified yogurt drinks, milk, and fruit juices.
The FDA state that most people should try to consume 1.3 g or more of sterols and 3.4 g of stanols per day.
Try to consume these sterols and stanols with a meal.
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Can Green Tea Lower Blood Pressure
A 2014 survey of data from previously published studies looked at the evidence of whether drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure. There was evidence of a modest reduction in people with high blood pressure who consumed green tea. But whether this reduction would lead to clinically significant results, such as preventing the onset of heart disease or stroke, is unclear.
Nuts As Natural Cholesterol Reducers
Nuts are already very popular with us anyway. They taste delicious and are very healthy! When eaten in moderation, nuts such as walnuts, almonds or pistachios can lower cholesterol its important not to eat too many at once and to choose the unsalted version. In order not to exceed your daily requirement of nuts, we would recommend topping your morning porridge with a tasty portion of nuts of your choice. This is not only a tasty start to the day, but also does something good for your body!
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May Help Prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of death worldwide .
Studies show that green tea may improve some of the main risk factors for these diseases, which includes improving total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels .
Green tea also increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood, which protects the LDL particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway toward heart disease .
Given the beneficial effects on risk factors, it may not be surprising that people who drink green tea have up to a 31% lower risk of dying from a cardiovascular disease (
One of these studies was a 12-week randomized controlled study involving 240 people with obesity.
In this study, those in the green tea group had significant decreases in body fat percentage, body weight, waist circumference, and belly fat, compared with those in the control group .
However, some studies dont show a statistically significant increase in weight loss with green tea, so researchers need to perform further studies to confirm this effect .
Summary
Some studies show that green tea may lead to increased weight loss. It may be particularly effective at reducing the dangerous abdominal fat.
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Eat More Plant Sources Of Protein
Excellent plant proteins include beans all beans, like lentils, red beans, pinto beans, and soybeans. Rather than raising blood cholesterol levels, as animal sources of protein do, beans actually help lower cholesterol.
Beans also help reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, and may even lower cancer risk.
Traditional Vs Herbal Tea
Traditional teas, such as black, green, white, or oolong, come from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis plant. Each tea is unique based on how its grown and processed. White tea is the least processed and is made from the plants youngest tea leaves. Green tea leaves are dried and heated to minimize fermentation. Black tea undergoes extensive fermentation. Each Camellia sinensis tea contains natural caffeine, although the caffeine can be removed.
Herbal teas arent exactly tea because theyre not made from Camellia sinensis. They are made from parts of edible plants, including the:
- roots
- lavender
- ginger
Herbal teas dont contain caffeine unless the plant itself contains natural caffeine. Yerba mate or herbal teas blended with a traditional tea usually contain caffeine.
Antioxidants help fight cell-damaging free radicals in the body. Foods rich in antioxidants include:
- peppers
- oranges
- carrots
Traditional teas and some herbal teas contain antioxidants. Antioxidant strength depends on the type of tea and its processing method. Hibiscus has the highest recorded level of antioxidants out of all herbal teas. Teas with berries, orange peel, and peppermint tend to have similarly high levels of antioxidants.
Ginger tea is usually thought of as a stomach soother, but it may help with cholesterol as well. Ginger powder significantly lowered lipid levels compared to a placebo in a double-blind clinical
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