The many health benefits of drinking green tea are often discussed within the health and wellbeing world. In addition to lowering cholesterol, helping to maintain a healthy blood pressure and aiding weight loss efforts, green tea is also known to help to fight heart disease and support the function of the liver. It may surprise you to learn that drinking green tea regularly can also help to improve the health of your bones. Today we are going to have an in-depth look at why green tea is so good for you and how you can easily include more of it in your diet!
The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea led researchers to question the potential this drink could have on improving bone density, especially in relation to fighting osteoporosis. Much research has been conducted into this area, with exciting results!
One of the most well-known benefits of drinking green tea is the lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. This is largely due to the antioxidants and polyphenols contained within the tea itself. Drinking between one and three cups of this kind of tea every day can be enough to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. This is certainly a manageable amount for anyone!
Antioxidants and Polyphenols
Antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds that are found in plant-based foods. They help to prevent the cell damage that is caused by the presence of oxidants in the body, also often referred to as free radical damage. Polyphenols are additional compounds that are found in plant-based foods and they also help to prevent the damage cause by free radicals.
Research into Green Tea
Dr Leslie Shen is a pioneer in the area of osteoporosis study. She has so far spent two decades trying to understand why women in Asia are at a much lower risk of osteoporosis than women in the west.
In one of her more recent clinical trials, Dr Shen studied 171 postmenopausal women. All of the women involved in this trial had weak bones but had not yet reached the point of diagnosis for osteoporosis.
The clinical trial took place over six months and involved giving different groups of women on the trial either green tea in addition to tai chi practice, green tea with no tai chi, a placebo and tai chi practice, and a placebo and no tai chi. The results of the study show that those who drank green tea and practised tai chi experienced the best benefit to their bone health. There was also a noticeable improvement among this group when it came to muscle strength.
Another study into the benefits of green tea on bone health, conducted by researchers in Hong Kong, also yielded positive results. Dr Ping Chung Leung was the researcher at the forefront of a study that took place at the Institute of Chinese Medicine. The results suggest that green tea could be used in the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
The Best Way to Consume Green Tea
Drinking fresh green tea is the best way to enjoy the maximum benefits of this healthy beverage. Some people find that the taste is improved with the addition of lemon and a small amount of a natural sweetener.
Drinking fresh green tea also provides more health benefits than consuming processed bottled versions or green tea supplements. It has been suggested by experts that three cups of fresh green tea every day is the best way to enjoy the most health benefits of including green tea in your diet. Also, choosing a caffeinated version is said to be beneficial for those attempting to lose weight.
The Best Green Tea
So, now that you know how great green tea can be for your bones, how can you choose which tea or teas should become a regular fixture in your kitchen?
First of all, try to always opt for an organic tea so that you know there are no added extras that can be detrimental to your health over time. It is also worth looking for types of green tea that have the lowest fluoride count, or even a variety that has had any fluoride removed. It can be good fun to try a different type of tea every week until you have a better idea which flavours you prefer.
Why Protect Bones?
The bones within the body are living dynamic metabolic systems that have to be maintained by other functions in the body. The nutrients that we consume play a huge role in how our bones are maintained.
If you do not make a conscious effort to include things in your diet that will support the optimum maintenance of your bones then you will inevitably eventually suffer the ill effects of not doing so.
Osteoporosis Explained
When the density and the quality of bones in the body starts to decrease, this condition is diagnosed as osteoporosis. This can become dangerous as the risk of fractures and breaks increases. Statistics from the International Osteoporosis Foundation show that in 2000 approximately 9 million fractures as a result of osteoporosis were reported. The hips, the forearm and the vertebrae are the most common areas for these types of injury to occur. It is evident to see from this data that finding ways to prevent and treat this condition could improve the quality of life for a massive number of people around the planet. Click here to learn more about osteoporosis.
References
2) http://saveourbones.com/try-these-7-teas-that-help-repair-damaged-bones/
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