Heart Health And Green Tea

Green tea has shown promise in enhancing our wellbeing in several ways. Investigation into the heart health benefits of green tea are especially interesting. In this article I'll talk about the numerous ways in which green tea may help our hearts.

Atherosclerosis Prevention
Many research studies have indicated that green tea may help prevent atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition where the artery wall becomes thicker due to build up of cholesterol and other fatty materials. This increases thickness greatly increases the risk of a heart attack.

Cholesterol
Research has demonstrated that green tea lowers total cholesterol and elevates HDL (good cholesterol). It's also been shown to lower LDL (bad cholesterol). High cholesterol, especially LDL, is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Coronary Artery Disease
In one Japanese study, individuals drinking 5 or more cups of green tea a day were 16% less likely to have coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease involves constricting of the coronary arteries because of deposition of fatty materials. It's theorized that green tea helps by preventing the creation of free radicals, which can harm the walls of the arteries, and initiate the process of fat deposition.

Triglycerides
After you consume a meal, the level of triglycerides in your blood is increased. Extremely high triglyceride levels following a meal is a big risk factor for coronary artery disease. Catechins, a substance found in green tea, decreases the speed at which triglycerides move into the blood stream after a meal. This results in a lower peak level of triglycerides.

Blood Thinner
Catechins in green tea help thin the blood. They also help prevent clot formation. Catechins do this by preventing inflammation causing substances from forming.

Less Damage and Faster Recuperation After A Heart Attack
During a heart attack, parts of the heart can be harmed due to restricted blood flow. Green tea appears to minimize death of heart cells, and speed up their repair. This allows for faster recovery following a heart attack.

Lower Risk Of Hypertension
One study showed that daily consumption of green tea substantially decreased the risk of developing hypertension. Individuals drinking 2 1/2 cups of green tea or more were 65% less likely to develop hypertension.

Lower Blood Pressure
A study lasting only 14 days showed that drinking 4 cups of green tea per day reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

By: Brian Chesterton

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