Benefits of green tea for a healthy heart

To help lower your risk for heart disease, drink green tea. With so many benefits of green tea for heart health, you may want to start drinking it if you are not already. According to the Women’s Heart Foundation, Hispanic women are at an especially high risk for heart disease. Green tea cannot necessarily stop heart disease from developing, especially without other healthy heart habits, but it does have health benefits that can reduce your risk.

Amazing antioxidants in green tea

Green tea is very high in antioxidants known as “polyphenols.” These compounds protect cells from free radical damage. By reducing cell damage, they may help prevent health problems such as heart disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have shown that the antioxidant benefits of green tea can help to prevent atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries become hardened and narrow because of a build-up of cholesterol and other substances. Atherosclerosis is a major cause of heart attack.

Green tea polyphenols are also known to help improve cholesterol levels, lowering blood levels of LDL cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, and raising levels of good, or HDL, cholesterol. Lower LDL cholesterol levels are associated with a lower risk for heart disease. The cholesterol-lowering benefits of green tea are not completely understood. There is some evidence to suggest that the polyphenols block some of the cholesterol from being absorbed by the body.

Two to three cups a day

How much should you drink for the heart health benefits of green tea? While it does not have as much caffeine as coffee, green tea does contain some caffeine, something you should keep in mind if you have problems with anxiety or insomnia, or if you are pregnant or nursing. For the antioxidant benefits of green tea, drinking two to three cups a day is recommended. To limit your caffeine intake, drink caffeine-free tea or talk to your doctor about supplementing with green tea extract. If you only drink a cup in the morning, or even one once or twice a week, you are still giving your body some great antioxidant benefits. When you are in the mood for a cup of hot tea, go ahead and enjoy one.

More than green tea

The benefits of green tea for a healthy heart make drinking this beverage worthwhile, but don’t forget that there are other important ways to lower your risk for heart disease. Get regular exercise and eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fish. Make sure you are at a healthy weight–being overweight can raise your risk for heart disease. Eat well, be well, and enjoy a cup of green tea. It is good for you and your heart.

Photo source: Flickr