Does green tea lower cholesterol? 🩺
That’s exactly what we’re going to try to find out! We are going to be talking all things green tea and cholesterol, including does green tea help lower cholesterol and which green tea is best for cholesterol.
Finally, we’ll talk about how the amount of green tea you drink is important when it comes to the green tea cholesterol benefits and show you how much green tea to lower cholesterol.
Let’s get started! 🏥
Does green tea lower cholesterol?
So does green tea lower cholesterol? There are a number of different compounds in the tea leaves that could potentially make green tea lower cholesterol.
In the next section, we are going to take a look at why is green tea good for cholesterol.
By the way, there are so many benefits beyond green tea for cholesterol.
If you want to learn all about them, we made the perfect article for you 👉 Green Tea Benefits and Why You Should Drink it Everyday
Why is green tea good for cholesterol
Now that we’ve answered does green tea lower cholesterol, let’s discuss why is green tea good for cholesterol. We are going to be examining how the individual compounds within tea leaves can impact certain cholesterol markers like HDL, LDL and more.
Reducing LDL Cholesterol
So when people ask can green tea lower cholesterol, what they are usually asking about is LDL cholesterol. Green tea has been suggested to help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Increasing HDL Cholesterol
So we’ve covered can green tea lower cholesterol when it’s LDL, but does green tea help with cholesterol if it’s HDL cholesterol?
Some studies suggest that green tea may also have a positive impact on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, commonly known as "good" cholesterol. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Antioxidant Properties
So when people ask why does green tea help with cholesterol, one of the first things you might look at is the antioxidant content.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechins, which may play a role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Chronic inflammation is linked to various cardiovascular conditions, including high cholesterol levels.
Improving Lipid Profiles
Research indicates that regular consumption of green tea may lead to improvements in overall lipid profiles, including reductions in total cholesterol levels. So does green tea help with cholesterol? From a lipid profile perspective, it has the potential to!
Enhancing Lipid Metabolism
So not only can green tea lower cholesterol, but it can also improve lipid metabolism. Green tea has been studied for its potential to enhance lipid metabolism, promoting the breakdown and elimination of fats in the body.
Speaking of lipids, green tea can also have benefits when it comes to weight loss. If you want to learn more about that, this is the perfect article for you 👉 Your Ultimate Green Tea Weight Loss Guide
The best green tea to lower cholesterol
If you are looking for the best green tea to lower cholesterol, you will want to find teas that are rich in antioxidants. Here are a few of our favorites:
Matcha
If it’s a question of which green tea is best for cholesterol, matcha powder may come out on top.
Matcha is essentially a powdered green tea made from shade-grown tea leaves.
Because it’s mixed directly into water rather than infused, you are consuming the entire leaf, along with all of its benefits.
The concentrated form of matcha provides higher levels of catechins, potentially aiding in cholesterol reduction and overall cardiovascular health.
Hojicha
Another one of the best green tea to lower cholesterol is Hojicha. Hojicha is made by roasting green tea leaves, resulting in a warm nutty flavor and reddish-brown color.
The roasting process reduces caffeine and may contribute to lipid metabolism, making hojicha a gentle option for those concerned about cholesterol.
For a complete guide of the benefits of hojicha tea, you can read this article 👉 Tea Expert Reveals 9 Hojicha Benefits
Genmaicha
Next on our list of best green tea for lowering cholesterol is Genmaicha. Genmaicha is a blend of green tea and roasted brown rice which produces a toasty flavor and a lower caffeine content.
The combination of green tea and rice may contribute to heart health, and genmaicha is often considered a soothing choice. Genmaicha has many benefits beyond this, and if you want to learn about them we wrote the perfect article for you 👉 Our Tea Expert Explains all the Genmaicha Tea Benefits
Bancha
Bancha is made from the older, more mature leaves of the tea plant.
These leaves are lower in caffeine and higher in minerals.
This tea is commonly drunk after a meal in order to help with digestion, but it can also be one of the best green tea for lowering cholesterol.
With lower caffeine levels, bancha is a milder choice that may support heart health, including potential benefits for cholesterol.
If you’re looking for green tea for cholesterol, bancha is not a bad option!
How much green tea to lower cholesterol
How much green tea to lower cholesterol should you drink? Drinking 2-3 cups of green tea per day is generally recognized as healthy. If you want to take advantage of the green tea cholesterol benefits, you can stay in this range without going too much over.
By the way, 2-3 cups means 2-3 servings of green tea. You can reinfuse the leaves multiple times to get more cups of tea without extracting much more caffeine. If you were to drink more than this, you might end up with concerns over caffeine.
Drinking too much green tea for cholesterol
While some studies have suggested drinking too much green tea for cholesterol can come with negative side effects, the impact is not clear. Regardless, it is best to limit your consumption of caffeine to avoid negative consequences.
So does green tea help lower cholesterol even though it contains caffeine? It would appear so, but just be sure to drink it in moderation.
By the way, if you want a full list of the teas that are the lowest in caffeine, you can find that here 👉 8 Lowest Caffeine Tea: from Lowest to Highest
Does green tea lower cholesterol - The Final Verdict
So does green tea lower cholesterol? While it may not be a silver bullet, it would appear that a moderate amount of green tea could be beneficial for various reasons.
I hope we were able to answer all of your green tea and cholesterol questions. If you have any more questions related to green tea cholesterol and more, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!
