What are the chemicals in green tea?
Fresh tea leaf is unusually rich in the flavanol group of polyphenols known as catechins which may constitute up to 30% of the dry leaf weight. Other polyphenols include flavanols and their glycosides, and depsides such as chlorogenic acid, coumarylquinic acid, and one unique to tea, theogallin (3-galloylquinic acid). Two weeks of consistent green tea intake can benefit your liver—especially if your diet has been rich in fats, sugar, or processed foods. The catechins in green tea act as antioxidants, helping to flush out toxins and reduce fat accumulation in the liver.Green tea possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities, reduces body weight, and slows down aging. These effects are primarily attributed to catechins contained in green tea leaves, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate.The polyphenols in green tea join other disease-fighting chemicals, including compounds called catechins. Catechins help protect against cancer, heart disease and autoimmune diseases by combatting inflammation.Yes, some research suggests green tea may help preferentially reduce visceral fat (belly fat). The catechins in green tea, particularly EGCG, are thought to play a role in this targeted fat reduction. However, it works best as part of an overall weight loss strategy including diet and exercise.
What tea to avoid during pregnancy?
Pregnant women should avoid teas containing chamomile, licorice, peppermint, or raspberry leaf. Pregnant women should also try to avoid all marinated foods, pickled goods, processed foods, foods that are high in monosodium glutamate, as well as caffeinated drinks like tea, coffee and carbonated drinks as these all contain substances which could have adverse effects on the health of your unborn child.Ginger and peppermint teas are great options for soothing nausea, while black, white, and green teas are fine in reasonable amounts. Some herbal teas, like chamomile and nettle, may not be safe during pregnancy, so always check with your healthcare provider before trying new blends.
What is the healthiest tea to drink?
Green tea wins as the most healthy tea,” says Ashley Simper, the manager of dietetic services with OSF HealthCare “Drinking green tea, at least three or more cups a day, leads to health benefits when it comes to cardiovascular disease, cancer and the overall risk of mortality. Drinking green tea is linked to a reduced risk of clogged arteries. The link seems to be stronger in males than in females. Also, people who drink at least three cups of green tea daily might have a lower risk of death from heart disease. Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer).It is very relaxing. Drinking a cup of green tea in the morning 1-2 hours after breakfast or in the afternoon 1 to 2 hours after lunch is the optimal time to drink green tea to boost your antioxidant dose. Antioxidants surround and neutralize free radicals preventing them from causing damage and cancer development.There are various studies and research that have shown how consuming green tea can decrease insulin resistance that women with ovarian cysts often have. It can also reduce the number of cystic follicles in the ovary and increase the number of follicles and corpus luteum.Green tea contains something called catechins, which have been shown to partially prevent the cells in the intestines from absorbing folic acid. Studies have shown that when women are drinking a lot of green tea, they have lower levels of folate in their system.Green tea is low in calories and rich in plant compounds called antioxidants. Drinking a few cups a day may support heart, brain, and blood sugar health. It has less caffeine than coffee or black tea. Most people can drink green tea safely, but high-dose extracts may cause problems.
Which green tea is good for pregnancy?
Green tea: Green teas (including the popular matcha tea) are considered safe to drink during pregnancy. Just watch the caffeine and limit yourself to fewer than three cups a day. Green tea is high in catechins, substances which can prevent your cells from fully absorbing folic acid. Herbal teas Some of the herbs used in herbal tea can also be potentially dangerous if you have a lot of them during pregnancy; especially during weeks 1 to 12 (first trimester). As a general rule, if you drink no more than 1 to 2 cups of herbal tea a day during your pregnancy, you should be fine.Women may want to limit their tea consumption during the first trimester when the baby’s neural tube is developing to avoid the chance of decreasing absorption of folic acid. After this point, drinking one cup of green tea per day has not been shown to increase any risks for the baby.