HEDGE YOUR HEALTH By Laura Georgy, MS, RDN, LDN GREEN TEA = GOOD FOR YOU It has been said before, but it is worth repeating: Do yourself a huge favor and drink green tea. Brewed green tea contains a supersized dose of catechins, a powerful flavonoid and antioxidant. Research published this year in the European Journal of Nutrition analyzed thirteen studies (meta-analysis) and determined that catechins may, in fact, decrease blood pressure. Interestingly, people who had elevated systolic blood pressure ( > 130 mm Hg) saw an even greater decrease from green tea consumption compared to the control group. Catechins do more than lower cholesterol. They also may improve cholesterol, reduce the risk of stroke and curb your appetite. While all tealeaves contain this compound – as they come from the same plant – green tea leaves contains the most. In fact, the green kind contains 5x the catechins found in black tea. To reap the benefits of green tea, experts recommend drinking 2 cups (16 ounces) daily. Look for regular or decaffeinated tea bags at your local grocery store. Do you find green tea too bitter? Add a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of honey and milk. Also, look for flavored teas like jasmine or berry.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:47:19 +0000
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