ALERT: 3 Things You'll Feel Before a Heart Attack
Research has pointed to several ways that green tea works to prevent heart disease, although some need further study:
• Reducing obesity – People who are obese are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and some research shows that drinking green tea may help get the weight off. In 2014, Pennsylvania State University reported on a mouse study that found mice on a high-fat diet that were given green tea extract and exercised had significant reductions in weight and other health improvements over mice that just exercised or just took green tea.
• Lowering cholesterol – Research reported by UMMC found that "green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL ('good') cholesterol in both animals and people. One population-based clinical study found that men who drink green tea are more likely to have lower total cholesterol than those who do not drink green tea." Medical News Today pointed out, though, at least one study found that drinking fewer than four cups daily didn't change cholesterol.
• Protection from cardiovascular disease – A study published in 2009 found that drinking seven cups of green tea daily could cut the risk of dying from heart disease by as much as 75 percent, NutraIngredients reported. The participants were compared to people who drink less than one cup of green tea every day.
Although studies indicate the positive effects of green tea and more research is needed, experts said drinking too much of it for long periods of time can have negative effects on the body, according to research published in the journal Chinese Medicine. You should always consult your doctor before adding an alternative health product to your diet, especially if you have any significant health issues.
