Are you looking for a healthy, great-tasting beverage that is good for your body?
We all know the benefits of drinking water, but sometimes you need something different.
What if I told you there is a drink that can lower cholesterol levels, help fight free radicals, help you with weight loss, and even strengthen your immune system?
This post will explain some of the health benefits of green tea and honey. Green tea can have a bitter taste, and adding honey can make the tea more palatable while adding some health benefits.
Here are a few reasons to consume green tea and honey.
May Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Lipid Profiles
Studies have shown that the consumption of green tea can be beneficial to cardiovascular health. A systematic review of twenty random controlled trials including 1536 subjects found green tea intake significantly reduces systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), and total cholesterol.1
Another study also found that the administration of green tea lowered both total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations. However, no effect on HD cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels was observed in this study.2
Reducing high blood pressure and improving lipid profiles may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.
May Have a Role in Cancer Prevention
Several polyphenols are present in green tea leaves, and these compounds are thought to be responsible for their cancer preventative effects. Green tea has the highest polyphenol concentration compared to other teas, which may explain why it is more effective in causing cancer cell damage and death.3
Studies have shown that consumption of green tea can either induce oxidative stress, leading to cancer cell death, or it can act as an antioxidant, preventing cellular damage.4
May Aid in Weight Loss
Green tea extract is a component in many weight loss formulations, including those available at Sunshine Nutraceuticals. For example, in one study, 60 obese subjects (BMI>25) were split into two groups. In addition to their meals, one group was given green tea, and the other group a placebo. The green tea group had significantly higher weight loss than the placebo group at the eight and twelve-week measurements.5
Another study involving 192 moderately overweight Chinese males and females showed that regular consumption of a very-high catechin green tea over 90 days leads to significant reductions in body weight, waist circumference, and intra-abdominal fat.6
Green Tea and Brain Health
We are learning more about Parkinson’s Disease and dementia each day. The catechins present in green tea are potent antioxidants. They may help protect our brain neurons by scavenging free radicals and chelating iron, activating specific signaling pathways and genes.7
Benefits of Caffeinated Green Tea
Caffeine is the most popular nootropic substance currently in use. We all know how caffeine can boost energy levels and focus. Caffeine can also improve your brain reaction time and exercise performance and may improve cardiac health. However, caffeine is a drug, and no medication is free from side effects.
For example, too much caffeine can make a person jittery. Caffeine can also be habit-forming and can cause headaches if abruptly discontinued. It can also cause anxiety, especially at higher doses. If you start to feel some of these side effects, try to consume less caffeine. Caffeine may also interact with some medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Honey
We all know that honey is a natural sweetener with a yummy taste. But, do you realize that honey has many benefits other than helping soothe a sore throat?
Always remember that raw honey is a better alternative than processed honey. I know some don’t believe this to be true, but in my opinion, raw honey is a better option. So, what are some of the benefits of raw honey?
Honey Also Has Antioxidant Properties and
Positive Effects on the Brain
The brain is especially prone to oxidative damage due to its high oxygen consumption and the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the neural membranes. Raw honey contains polyphenols which can help protect against fat oxidation. These compounds may also improve learning ability, memory, and cognitive function.
We know that raw honey can help with anxiety and depression and may act as an anticonvulsant.8
Honey Maybe Better in Controlling Blood Sugar Levels
and Preventing Metabolic Syndrome
Honey has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease obesity, reduce lipid levels, and positively affect diabetes. In addition, honey can decrease insulin resistance leading to lower blood sugar levels. These factors may help limit weight gain and accumulation of fat storage and prevent or improve metabolic syndrome.9
Honey and Green/Black Tea
May Have Antibacterial Properties
One study found honey and green/black tea reduced the risk of H. pylori infection. This study may lead to further studies evaluating the use of honey and tea in the prevention or treatment of some infections.10
Green tea (camellia sinensis) is one of the world’s most popular and healthy drinks. This tea, along with oolong and black tea, has been consumed in China and India for fifty centuries.
The antioxidant substances in tea leaves may help with several health-related problems, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, weight loss, neurological disorders, and more.
In addition, if you use raw honey to sweeten your green tea, more antioxidants will be available to help reduce cellular oxidation.
I highly recommend adding green tea and honey to your diet. Your body will thank you.
If you have any questions regarding this or any other post, please email me at [email protected]. I try to answer all emails.
Michael J. Brown, RPh, BCPS, BCPP
Mr. Brown is a Clinical Pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy and psychiatry.
Feel free to send Michael a message using this link.
