One study found this drink could lead to a “significant” reduction in both total and “bad” cholesterol
A popular hot drink costing just four pence could help lower levels of cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Studies have shown that drinking green tea regularly could improve your cardiovascular health.
High cholesterol is a potentially dangerous condition that occurs when you have too much of a fatty substance known as cholesterol in your blood. This can build up in the blood vessels, causing blockages.
As a result it can be difficult for blood to flow properly through the arteries and high cholesterol is therefore a major risk factor for medical emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks. Luckily, there are steps we can take to help reduce our cholesterol.
Diet is a contributing factor when it comes to our cholesterol, with some foods and drinks known to raise it and others to lower it. A study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 2011, found that polyphenols known as catechins found in green tea led to a “significant” reduction in both total and “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol).
Study authors said: “The consumption of green tea catechins is associated with a statistically significant reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; however, there was no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [‘good’ cholesterol] or triglyceride levels.”
A scientific study from 2020 came to a similar conclusion. The meta-analysis, which was published in Nutrition Journal, looked at the impact of green tea on more than 3,000 people.
It said: “Thirty-one trials with a total of 3,321 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. In general, green tea intake significantly lowered the total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared with those in the control.
“Green tea consumption did not affect high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; however, it reduced the triglycerides compared with that in the control.” These findings were the same in people who were both overweight or obese and those who were a healthy weight.
But the study authors added that further research including more diverse populations and over a longer duration is needed. Separate to this research, Teresa Fung – an adjunct professor of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – also suggested that the catechins found in green tea could also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, help lower blood sugar levels and even prevent tooth decay.
She recommended three cups a day for the best results. If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels you should speak to your GP.
Currently you can buy a pack of 20 green tea bags from Tesco for 75p. This works out as 3.75p per bag. To lower your cholesterol, the NHS recommends:
- Eating less fatty foods
- Exercising more
- Quitting smoking
- Cutting back on alcohol
