If your cholesterol levels are high, you may be looking to your diet to make changes that will help control your cholesterol, or you may also be increasing your fiber and reducing your saturated fats and added sugars, which can have a positive effect on your cholesterol levels. However, there is one beverage that may also have a positive effect on your cholesterol: tea.
Tea can be a delicious, healthy beverage to add to your diet. Choosing tea, especially green tea, may have a beneficial effect on your overall cholesterol levels. Traditional teas contain antioxidants and have been linked to health benefits such as cancer prevention and cholesterol reduction. For this reason, tea can be a healthy addition to most diets. However, it is best to avoid drinking tea with added sugar to get the most benefit.
How Does Green Tea Help Improve Cholesterol?
Green tea may be one of the most beneficial teas when it comes to lowering cholesterol levels. Green tea, along with other teas, is a source of various polyphenols, the polyphenols in tea leaves that provide antioxidants.
Consuming green tea may significantly reduce both total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL).
However, the optimal dose of tea needed to help lower cholesterol levels is not clearly defined, and dosages may vary depending on individual factors such as age, health status, and overall diet and lifestyle. It is important to note that the effects of green tea on cholesterol used a mixture of green tea extract and green tea as a beverage, the compound that is thought to have the most significant effect on cholesterol levels.
Catechins are flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) found in green tea. One of the most well-known catechins in green tea is Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been extensively studied and has been shown to be very effective in lowering cholesterol. It is thought that the effects of green tea on lipid levels are varied. In addition to preventing the oxidation of LDL, which leads to plaque formation in the arteries, studies have shown that green tea can significantly inhibit the absorption of lipids in the intestine, which is beneficial for lowering cholesterol.
Some things to keep in mind when using tea
Although drinking tea, especially green tea, can be beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels. However, tea also contains caffeine, which can cause adverse side effects when consumed in excess.
Drinking too much caffeinated tea can lead to side effects such as headaches, insomnia, irritability, dizziness, and anxiety. Excessive caffeine intake can also lead to gastrointestinal symptoms in some cases. However, the total caffeine content of green tea is lower than that of other caffeinated beverages such as coffee (a cup of green tea contains about 30 milligrams of caffeine, compared to 100 mg in a cup of traditional coffee).
Other teas, especially herbal teas, may also have unwanted side effects, herbal teas can interact with certain medications such as blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, aspirin, blood pressure medications, and diabetes medications. Therefore, it is important to review your medications and any supplements or teas with your doctor.
What is the best way to consume tea?
If you are planning to add green tea to your daily routine, it is best to do so in a way that will help you boost the health of your entire diet. Avoid green teas that are high in added sugar, which can negatively impact your overall health.
It is also important to choose a high quality tea from a reputable company that tests for pesticides and other contaminants. Many companies will provide their testing procedures on their website or will provide a Certificate of Analysis upon request.
