Researchers analyzing 14 research papers published between 1967 and 2010 concluded that no matter how much they consumed, or for how long, green tea decreased the levels of “bad” cholesterol in participants.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) can slowly build up in the inner walls of arteries and form hard plaques in blood vessels that put individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Cholesterol build up is the most common cause of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerotic plaques. Studies show that reducing your body lipids by 1 percent lowers chances of having a heart attack by 3 percent.
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2011, is titled: Green Tea Intake Lowers Fasting Serum Total and LDL Cholesterol in Adults: A Meta-Analysis of 14 Randomized Control Trials.
According to researchers green tea’s ability to significantly reduce lipids appears to be independent of health status and whether the tea is taken as a liquid or as a supplement.
Green teas, which are not oxidized, contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and flavonoid-like polyphenol compounds including catechins derived from the tea plant.
Researchers identified 1,136 adults in 14 studies of three weeks to three months in length, eliminating influences including dose, the year the research was done and participant’s health.
Tea uniformly reduced total cholesterol but was found to have no effect on HDL (so-called good cholesterol). Studies have shown that individuals who consume two cups of green tea per day have lower plasma total cholesterol levels. Their risk of death from cardiovascular disease is reduced by 22 to 33 percent.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2011 and Green Tea Health News.