Green tea lowers psychological distress by 20%
Added 26.10.2009
Stress - a very common problem
The National Health Service estimates that about 12 million adults in the UK visit their doctor every year with mental health problems. The majority of these cases are due to anxiety and depression, which in turn are mostly a result of stress. A small amount of stress is good to keep us motivated and attentive, but prolonged stress that ends up in emotional and psychological distress can cause illness and increase the risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke. The good news is that a study says we can reduce psychological distress by as much as 20% and all we have to do is drink at least five cups of green tea a day. Of course, if you can't drink five or more cups of green tea a day, a perfect alternative is to take caffeine-free green tea extract supplements.The Scientific Study
Background information
The objective of this epidemiological study was to identify whether green tea intake is linked to reduced psychological distress. Cross sectional data for 42, 093 individuals (2,774 of which had psychological distress) aged 40 or more years was analysed after having been adjusted for age, sex, history of disease, body mass index, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, dietary factors, and other factors.
Results
Although the mechanisms of action still need to be investigated, drinking five or more cups of green tea a day resulted in a 20% reduction in psychological distress compared to those who drank one or less cups a day.
Conclusion
Green tea consumption is inversely associated with psychological distress.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants
Green tea has been known for centuries to have disease-preventive properties. From maintaining a strong cardiovascular system to preventing some types of cancer, green tea is a great source for overall health. This is because green tea contains polyphenols - chemical substances that have potent antioxidant effects. In fact, green tea contains four different types of polyphenols: epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epicatechin (EC).What really makes green tea special compared to other types of tea lies in the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed so they conserve the polyphenols in their proper compound form. Black tea and oolong tea, on the other hand, consist of green tea leaves that have been oxidised by fermentation. As a result, the polyphenols are converted into other compounds during the process and lose much of their antioxidant properties.
Remember, if you don't want to drink more than five cups of green tea a day, take natural caffeine-free green tea supplements.
References:
Hozawa, A. &. "Green tea consumption is associated with lower psychological distress in general population: the Ohsaki Cohort 2006 Study." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Published online ahead of print. 2009.
Dr. Bo Nielsen's comments:
Drinking tea or consuming green tea supplements has been proven to be beneficial in numerous scientific studies. Green tea consumption is claimed to: reduce risk of certain types of cancer; reduce risk of Parkinson's disease; increase metabolism and fat oxidation; reduce risk of heart disease and heart attacks by reducing the risk of thrombosis; inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells; reduce the level of cholesterol in blood; improve the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol; may benefit rheumatoid arthritis; strengthens immune function; and may even help tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes dental plaque.
