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Green Tea Effects on PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
Have you wondered why green tea is a drink of choice for the Japanese in the morning, afternoon, or evening? The Japanese have been green tea lovers for many years. For this reason, it has acquired the name "Japanese tea."
You'll also find green teapots in restaurants or where people hang out. There are many theories as to why the Japanese adore green tea. Whereas some consume it for pleasure, others believe green tea has curative properties and brings good tidings.
On the same note, research suggests that green tea is rich in nutrients that have enormous health benefits for the body. In our discussion, we dive into the importance of green tea and its effects on PCOS.
Let's get things underway!
Surprising Facts About Green Tea
Green tea has been cultivated in Asia for many years. It's fundamentally associated with traditional Asian medicine, particularly that of the Chinese and Japanese.
The young leaves and beds of a green tea plant have a high concentration of active substances. These include:
- Caffeine
- Polyphenols
- Theobromine
- Xanthines
- Vitamin C, B1, B2, and K
- Flavonoids, including catechins and quercetin
What Are The Green Tea Effects on PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder among young women associated with severe health implications such as:
- Excess weight gain
- Skin problems such as acne
- Infrequent menstrual periods
- Lack of periods or prolonged menstrual periods
- Irregular ovulation leads to difficulty conceiving.
- Overproduction of male hormones, or androgens, leads to hair growth on the face and back.
How can you beat that?
Here is how green tea manages PCOS in women:
1. Preventing Hair Loss
Green tea contains catechin, a compound that inhibits the production of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Research shows that DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, contributing to hair loss. With conventional medicine, treatments that prohibit DHT can help prevent hair loss. Green tea increases the supply of essential nutrients to the scalp, boosting hair growth.
The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) present in green tea promotes hair growth by stimulating your hair follicles.
2. Soothes Effects of Menstrual Period
Green tea is high in antioxidants and helps soothe the uterus while allowing your body to function properly. Drinking smattering cups of green tea regularly in moderation alleviates period cramps by promoting smooth blood flow.
It also lowers your estrogen level, hastening the onset of your period.
3. Improves Your Skin Appearance
As noted, PCOS can cause skin problems such as oiliness and acne breakouts. Research has shown that green tea contains catechins, a plant-based compound with antioxidant, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) helps fix oily skin and acne by promoting hydration. It also contains antimicrobial properties that lower the lipid levels on the skin, which helps control oiliness.
But wait, there's more!
Drinking green tea can help remedy skin irritations, lesions, and redness. Just think about it. If you want youthful skin, drinking a cup of matcha can make a world of difference in your appearance.
4. Helps in Weight Management
Some components in green tea break down fat cells and help you shed some pounds. The majority of weight-loss supplements have green tea as their main ingredient.
So what’s the secret?
Catechins, a compound in green tea, increase fat burning, especially during workouts. Studies back these findings, showing that EGCG helps burn fat by increasing metabolism. Therefore, your body burns calories even at rest.
And another thing: green tea also has caffeine, which speeds up metabolism.
5. Improves Fertility Problems
The catechins in green tea improve fertility and reproductive function. Full of goodness, matcha contains vitamins K, A, C, and D, which are useful in promoting fertility.
However, you should take it in moderation and under the guidance of your doctor.
6. Promotes Liver Detoxification
According to research, matcha has high levels of chlorophyll that protect the liver and reduce the risk of developing liver disease. It also boosts liver health in individuals suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Because of this, it can help manage PCOS since the liver plays a vital role in hormonal balance.
Other roles played by the liver include:
- Hormone production
- Nutrients storage
- Toxins elimination
- Elimination of excess hormones
Farmers in Asia, mainly Japan, grow the matcha plant by placing shades over the plantation before harvesting. Therefore, this boosts the chlorophyll content in the leaves and enhances their antioxidant power.
7. Helps in Reducing Testosterone Levels
Another thing worth mentioning is that green tea is rich in Vitamin K, which is useful in blood clotting and bone formation by regulating the calcium levels in the blood.
Or even better, your body needs a vitamin K-dependent protein, prothrombin, to clot.
8. Boosts Insulin Sensitivity
Green tea contains antioxidants such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which regulates insulin sensitivity, thus aiding in controlling blood sugar levels.
It's a big plus if you have PCOS because sugar imbalances can aggravate the symptoms.
9. Combats Inflammation
Some studies show that inflammation can antagonize the symptoms of PCOS. But one thing’s for sure: drinking matcha will supply your body with antioxidants like flavonoids that help fight inflammation.
How Much Green Tea Is Too Much?
Green tea comes in a variety of forms that may alter its properties. These unique variations include:
- Matcha or grounded green tea
- Loose leaf green tea
Green tea supplements are available as sachets, soluble tea, extracts, and capsules. It's essential to remember that matcha has higher levels of antioxidants than loose-leaf green tea, making it an excellent option for PCOS.
Daily consumption is recommended if you're taking green tea as part of your weight loss routine because its effects don't last more than 24 hours.
You can take your dosage at least half an hour before meals to maximize appetite suppression power. It also helps limit iron absorption.
Avoid taking it in the evening because caffeine has been associated with insomnia.
Don't Drink Too Much Green Tea! Possible Side Effects
Green tea and other stimulant drinks are not recommended for young kids or pregnant women. Likewise, consuming large quantities is prohibited for people with hypertension, insomnia, and cardiac arrhythmia.
Because it has a high concentration of vitamin C and caffeine, green tea can cause trouble sleeping. Also, the high levels of flavonoids can reduce iron absorption when taken with other meals.
While its protective action on the liver cannot be underestimated, some rare cases of hepatitis have been observed after consuming tea-based products.
Green tea consumption in excess can complicate premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in women during their periods. As you probably know, PMS causes body irritability, headaches, mood swings, abdominal pain, and other symptoms. So you should limit your green tea consumption to no more than two cups per day.
While green tea has been the subject of numerous studies and its effects appear to be well understood, its action against diabetes, cholesterol, cancer, and cardiovascular disease remains at the forefront of research.
Secrets To Picking The Best Green Tea Product
The main concern for most green tea aficionados is how to pick high-quality matcha. Like coffee or wine, matcha differs in flavor and taste.
The top-quality matcha is green and has a good flavor.
Green tea, unlike black tea, does not go through the brewing or oxidation processes that cause the leaves to turn brown.
When shopping, pay attention to organic matcha because it has enormous health benefits. Ceremonial grade is a good pick and a favorite for many people.
Don’t Suffer In Silence! Other Ways to Reduce PCOS Effects
You can reduce the effects of PCOS by:
- Maintaining a healthy weight aids in lowering androgen and insulin levels in your body.
- Limiting the intake of carbohydrates to reduce insulin levels
- Having an active lifestyle through workouts such as walking, yoga, running, or cycling top-rated bikes
Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor if your symptoms fail to improve. Your doctor may conduct tests and recommend medication or therapy.
Conclusion
Based on research, the consumption of green tea has numerous benefits, such as managing the symptoms of PCOS, weight gain, menstrual problems, hair loss, and excess hair growth. It also reduces insulin resistance and helps blood clot, among other benefits.
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