The popularity of tea among all ages has renewed, as many varieties are now being recognized for their medicinal benefits once again. Green tea especially has become popular worldwide, primarily because of its many health benefits, one of which is to help clean the liver.
What sets green tea apart from the other types of tea is the use of the leaves that have not been oxidized. As green tea is the least processed, it has high amounts of antioxidants and polyphenols.
Green tea contains various nutrients that benefit the body by strengthening the immune system and helping the body fight illnesses. The polyphenols in green tea have been proven to be effective in liver cleansing.
It contains antioxidants particularly Catechins which play an important role in preventing and reducing damage to your cells, by destroying free radicals in the body. Green tea is known for being a good source of Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG which also fights these free radicals.
Green Tea for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Green tea is believed to be effective in the treatment of NAFLD or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This medical condition is closely associated with resistance to insulin, diabetes and obesity. Health practitioners call this a lifestyle disease, as it is often caused by poor diet and too much intake of alcohol. A daily dose of green tea can help fight this type of liver disease.
Research show that the flavonoids in green tea have properties that can fight tumors, oxidative stress, viruses and allergies. The result of several experiments have shown how green tea extract can actually help fight and improve these conditions.
While there are no magic bullets, to help overcome NAFLD and other health problems, add green tea to your day and make some healthy lifestyle changes.
Green Tea Side Effects
Too much of anything can be dangerous and this even holds true for green tea. While it is generally safe, small amounts of green tea can still lead to minor problems like constipation and an upset stomach. Taking high doses of green tea can lead to further side effects such as dizziness, heartburn and tremors.
After all, green tea does contain caffeine and therefore side effects. While there are plenty of studies that show green tea can be beneficial to add to your liver cleansing diet, there is a possibility that high doses can cause problems for your liver. So a word of warning. Moderation is the key!
The safest method of benefiting from the liver cleansing effects of green tea is to drink the tea after meals, rather than on an empty stomach. This will also help alleviate feelings of queasiness that drinking green tea on an empty stomach can cause.
Green Tea Supplements
If green tea doesn’t appeal to you, yet you want to reap the benefits, you may find green tea supplements more convenient. However, check with your doctor first, as some doctors have warned people against taking green tea supplements if they have been diagnosed with liver disease.
If you have signs of a liver illness, such as experiencing abdominal pain, or your skin appears yellowish, then consult your doctor immediately. Do not self-diagnose or begin green tea supplementation.
Drinking green tea may be safe, but taking it in the form of supplements should be a decision made only after a thorough consultation with your health provider. The European Food Safety Authority agree that drinking green tea beverages is generally safer because its antioxidant content is only up to 300 mg, compared to 1000 mg contained in many green tea supplements.
As always, you have to take charge and be in control of your own health. Your liver and other body organs depend on it! So take care and be aware.
