Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health issues (high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar) that elevate your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Some even refer to it as the “stroke syndrome.”
One of the best ways to address all these health issues at once is to drink green tea.
Green tea is full of an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that has anti-inflammatory effects, protecting the heart and brain, promoting weight loss, and controlling blood pressure.
It stands to reason that much of the benefit of green tea is accomplished through our gut.
But until recently, no studies had linked its benefits directly to gut health.
That’s changed…
Green tea extract reduces gut inflammation
A recently published study from Ohio State University has proven that green tea extract blocks the development of metabolic syndrome by improving gut health.
A 2019 study showed the benefits of green tea extract in mice: lower obesity and improvements in gut health.
In the current follow-up study, 40 participants — 21 with metabolic syndrome and 19 healthy adults — were given gummy supplements containing green tea extract for 28 days.
The daily dose of supplements was the equivalent of five cups of green tea.
During the study, all participants ate a diet low in polyphenols (antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and tea), so any positive results could be explained by the green tea supplements alone.
The results speak for themselves.
Compared to those taking a placebo, people taking the green tea supplement showed significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels.
At the same time, those taking the supplement showed a decrease in gut inflammation, as well as a less permeable gut.
Gut permeability is a symptom of leaky gut.
When your gut lining is damaged, inflammation starts occurring in your small intestine. This creates an imbalance of bacteria that can lead to high blood sugar, diabetes, and heart disease.
Other benefits of green tea
Even if you don’t think leaky gut is a problem for you, you’ll want to know about these other remarkable health benefits that come with adding green tea to your diet:
- Lowers stress. Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which lowers the stress hormone cortisol and boosts relaxation-promoting hormones in the brain.
- Protects against cancer. Studies show that the EGCG in green tea may increase levels of a natural anti-cancer protein.
- Preserves brain power. According to numerous studies, green tea is a real brain booster! It’s been shown to protect against oxidative stress, lower the risk of Alzheimer’s, and even lower stroke risk.
If you’re not a fan of green tea, you have some choices…
You could give hibiscus tea a try. It’s also been shown to improve several biomarkers of metabolic syndrome.
And, very recently, good old black tea was also found to reduce risks for cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease and stroke.
Sources:
Green tea extract promotes gut health, lowers blood sugar — Science Daily
Catechin-Rich Green Tea Extract Reduced Intestinal Inflammation and Fasting Glucose in Metabolic Syndrome and Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial — Current Developments in Nutrition