Lifestyle Factors For Heart Disease
Modern lifestyles tend to fall short on both, lending reason not only to set aside time to move, but also in educating ourselves of ways to get the most benefit out of that time. In the case of matcha drinking, its indicated the natural compounds in green tea may increase the metabolic benefits of exercise on heart health.
- This includes improved circulation , as well as fat-burning in managing healthy weight, associated with cardiovascular health.
Like a well-oiled engine, our metabolism relies on movement to run in a healthy way. The recommended amount of exercise is about 30 minutes of moderate activity per day, according to the American Heart Association, and is a bare necessity for the movement of blood and lymph.
St Johns Wort: Risky Combined With Heart Meds
You may have heard that the St. Johns Wort herb can help treat symptoms of depression but be wary of drinking this tea if you have a heart condition. The biggest concern is that its not good with cardiac medications. The ingredient is epically dangerous if youre taking blood thinners or cardiac medications for heart failure, like digoxin, or if you require a stent or have atrial fibrillation.
If youre considering drinking St. Johns Wort tea for depression, talk to your doctor instead. Theres such a close association between depression and heart disease.
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When it comes to reviewing your cholesterol panel, there is so much more to know
Dont Drink: Energy Drinks
We said caffeine can be heart-healthy in moderation, but energy drinks are not known for moderation. Caffeine content in energy drinks ranges from about 70 mgless than a cup of coffeeall the way up to 300 mg.
In addition to the caffeine on the nutrition label, many energy drinks also have ingredients like guarana that contain caffeine, ingredients that enhance the effects of caffeine, or other stimulants. When you go beyond allotted caffeine levels it can be really detrimental. There are cases of kids with atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure, and older people having heart attacks due to high caffeine consumption.
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It May Help Protect Against Certain Diseases
The antioxidant-related decaffeinated green tea benefits don’t stop there â the polyphenols may also help lower your risk for certain diseases.
For instance, drinking tea regularly has been linked to lower rates of conditions like cancer and heart disease, according to an October 2016 review in the âBritish Journal of Pharmacology.â
Antioxidants in decaffeinated tea can also battle oxidative stress, which can contribute to the development of conditions like kidney disease, heart disease and age-related issues like cognitive impairment, dementia and frailty, per an April 2018 review in âClinical Interventions in Agingâ.
Can Reduce Blood Pressure
In addition to lowering cholesterol levels, green tea may protect heart health by lowering blood pressure. A 2020 meta-analysis in Medicine of 1,697 people found that drinking green tea significantly reduced blood pressure, particularly in those with high blood pressure and the greatest risk of cardiovascular disease.
High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke because it damages the lining of the arteries. This makes the arteries more susceptible to plaque buildup, which narrows the arteries leading to the heart and brain, per the CDC. If high blood pressure is left untreated, it can also lead to kidney failure.
Green tea’s ability to lower blood pressure may be due to its high antioxidant content, according to the same 2020 analysis listed above. These antioxidants reduce inflammation and dilate blood vessels so blood can flow more easily.
However, most of the studies assessed in the analysis only lasted between three and sixteen weeks, meaning it’s not clear how drinking green tea for longer may or may not improve blood pressure.
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Nitric Oxide And Green Tea
This is one of the bodys chief arterial-relaxing compounds, and is important for the health of veins as it may protect from atherosclerosis. One reason suggested is by lowering blood pressure, similar to the effects of sauna therapy and catechin antioxidants in matcha green tea .
These mechanisms are related to blood vessels ability to contract or relax in response to temperature, physical, and emotional stress.
- This is known as vascular-reactivity, and short-term studies have shown that drinking green tea may improve this metric .
- Its possible that this physiological mechanism may play a role in the late-onset of certain cardiovascular diseases with roots in emotionally tumultuous childhoods.
- Practices in adulthood which lower blood pressure may help.
Its also known that harmful levels of fats in the circulatory system may cause oxidative stress, and in turn arterial stiffening related to atherosclerosis. This state carries increased risk of blood clots and hypertension. Exercise and nutrition are thought to counteract these risks it’s also thought that an anti-inflammatory diet may encourage arterial health.
- The anti-inflammatory diet includes green tea, which may protect from arterial oxidative damage while lowering levels of bad cholesterol .
- Food or drink which helps blood vessels relax may improve the net benefits of exercise and healthy activity levels.
Your Risk Of Diabetes Decreases
Drinking black tea every day can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by helping to control your blood sugar after meals. According to a study in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, black tea can lower your blood sugar and after eating foods containing sucrose.
Learn how to spot the signs of diabetes.
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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.
Green Tea Boosts Flavonoids In Your Diet
Many of the documented health benefits of green, black, or oolong tea are linked to the flavonoids present in tea leaves. A recently published study in the journal Advances in Nutrition reported that daily flavonoid intake from tea was associated with reduced risk for death from heart disease and any cause of death.
According to Joy Dubost, PhD, RD, Head of Nutrition & Health at Lipton, “Flavonoids are naturally occurring dietary compounds in tea which have been associated with heart health. Daily consumption of at least 200-500 milligrams of flavonoids, found in 2-3 cups of tea, can help support a healthy heart as part of a diet consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” For more ways to protect your heart, consider giving up these 5 Drinks That May Lead to a Heart Attack, According to Science.
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Green Tea Contains Nutrients
Green tea is rich in nutrients and antioxidants.3 Here are some of the nutrients green tea provides:
- Caffeine a healthy amount of caffeine can help increase alertness. The caffeine in green tea can also act as a natural, mild diuretic.
- Vitamin C this antioxidant boosts immunity and collagen formation, which can help your skin stay youthful and healthy
- Vitamin EVitamin E protects the body from free radicals that can damage organs and tissues
- Fluorine Flourine is a chemical element that helps prevent tooth decay
- Folic acid a nutrient that assists in red blood cell formation. Red blood cells help transport oxygen to the bodys tissues.
- Saponins these naturally occurring compounds are anti-fungal as well as anti-inflammatory. Saponins have also been shown to lower blood pressure.
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Adcocks, C., Collin, P., and Buttle, D. J. Catechins from green tea inhibit bovine and human cartilage proteoglycan and type II collagen degradation in vitro. J Nutr. 2002 132:341-346. View abstract.
Agarwal, A., Prasad, R., and Jain, A. Effect of green tea extract in reducing oxidative stress seen in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis on DOTS Cat I regimen. Phytomedicine. 2010 17:23-27. View abstract.
Ahmed, S., Wang, N., Lalonde, M., Goldberg, V. M., and Haqqi, T. M. Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate differentially inhibits interleukin-1 beta-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -13 in human chondrocytes. J Pharmacol.Exp.Ther. 2004 308:767-773. View abstract.
Al-Sowyan, N. S. Difference in leptin hormone response to nutritional status in normal adult male albino rats. Pak.J Biol.Sci. 1-15-2009 12:119-126. View abstract.
Alemdaroglu, N. C., Dietz, U., Wolffram, S., Spahn-Langguth, H., and Langguth, P. Influence of green and black tea on folic acid pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers: potential risk of diminished folic acid bioavailability. Biopharm.Drug Dispos. 2008 29:335-348. View abstract.
Arts, I. C. A review of the epidemiological evidence on tea, flavonoids, and lung cancer. J Nutr. 2008 138:1561S-1566S. View abstract.
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Green Tea Is Good For Your Brain
If you’re looking for ways to keep your brain sharp as you age, consider adding green tea to your diet. In one published randomized, double-blind human clinical trial published in Journal of Medicinal Food, participants who took a daily supplement with green tea extract and L-theanine extracted from tea experienced improvements in mild cognitive impairments. In a test of attention and self-reported measure of alertness, memory improved after tea as compared to the placebo. Besides drinking green tea, you can also improve your cognitive performance with these 13 Healthy Foods That Boost Your Memory, According to Nutritionists.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Reasons Why You Should Heart Green Tea More
Significant science shows green tea promotes heart health, but how does it do that? In laboratories, scientists have found that green tea contains natural compounds that can help with some major cardiovascular issues, such as high bad cholesterol, inflammation, and the health of heart cells. Heres a closer look into 3 reasons why you should heart green tea more:
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American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in American Heart Association scientific journals or presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the American Heart Associations official guidance, policies or positions.
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Green Tea Is Good For Your Heart
Green tea is a superstar when it comes to heart health, explains Eat This, Not That! Medical Expert Board members and Manhattan-based registered dietitians Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, known as The Nutrition Twins. “The polyphenolic catechins found in green tea have been found to improve total and LDL cholesterol levels, which are two risk major factors for heart disease.”
In a landmark population-based study reported inJAMA with more than 40,000 Japanese adults followed for more than 11 years, the results reported that drinking more than 5 cups of green tea daily lowered the risk of death of a heart attack or stroke by 26%, compared to subjects who reported drinking less than a cup per day of green tea. Another study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that drinking green tea three or more times a week can significantly improve your overall heart health, as can these 17 Healthy Eating Habits To Start Today, According To Our Medical Experts.
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White Tea: Good For Circulation
White tea is harvested from the young buds of the tea plant and only briefly processed. This is probably the purest tea, and I recommend it for overall heart health, says Steinbaum. The flavonoids are good for the heart and help dilate the arteries, she explains, by thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing bad cholesterol. White tea may help protect not just your heart, but also the entire circulatory system.
But double-check with your doctor if youre taking a blood thinner like Coumadin or are sensitive to caffeine. White tea does contain caffeine, which can speed your heart rate or increase your risk for high blood pressure.
Fatty Fish And Fish Oil
Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, sardines, and tuna are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which have been studied extensively for their heart-health benefits.
Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish may have a protective role in the risk of developing heart disease and slightly reduce the risk of CVD events and arrhythmias .
Another study showed that eating fish over the long term was linked to lower levels of total cholesterol, blood triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, and systolic blood pressure.
Fish consumption is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, and mortality .
If you dont eat much seafood, fish oil is another option for getting your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids.
Fish oil supplements have been shown to reduce blood triglycerides, improve arterial function, and decrease blood pressure (
Other omega-3 supplements like krill oil or algal oil are popular alternatives.
Summary
Fatty fish and fish oil are both high in omega-3 fatty acids and may help reduce heart disease risk factors, including blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
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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.
Redbush Tea Promotes A Healthy Weight And Good Digestion
The tea is rich in antispasmodic agents, which activate potassium in the body, help ease stomach cramps, and aid digestion. Proper digestion can result in health benefits for weight loss as well.
Rooibos is especially rich in quercetin. Quercetin is a super-antioxidant that has many benefits to the heart. It helps to reduce the risk of various types of cancers. The compound also fights viruses and can help to reduce the risk of many kinds of health problems.
To sum up, drink the rooibos tea either for taste or health, you will see numerous benefits.
Remember: the quality of the tea depends on its processing and the way it was brewed.
Which is your favorite tea?
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Green Tea May Improve Brain Function
Caffeine is an active ingredient in green tea, and it can help to boost your brain function.4 Green tea has a smaller amount of caffeine than coffee, but its enough to produce a response in the brain without causing the jittery effects that many experience with coffee.
Green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that can have anti-anxiety effects, as well as increase dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and plays a role in memory, cognition, attention, and mood.5
Types Of Teas That Help The Heart
The type of tea we drink does matter, just like any medicine,when it comes to health benefits. It is important to consider your caffeinesensitivity before choosing any type of tea for health purposes. Usually, thebest types of teas are made from the Camellia sinensis shrubs such as black,white, green, and Oolong tea.
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