Health Benefits of Green Tea: A Natural Boost for Mind and Body

It's cool that a lot of people have an affect from green tea, but it should be pointed out that the antioxidants (polyphenols) in green tea are also in white, black, and oolong tea- in the same quantities no less. It should also be pointed out that in lab studies, to get a beneficial amount of polyphenols, it takes between 10-12 cups of tea a day (60oz-72oz). Dr John Weisburger has written over 500 medical papers on the subject and should be taken into consideration before dumping so much money into a tea fad. If it does make you feel better immediately it's because you like caffeine, or else you've cut out something bad from your normal diet like aspartame sweetened sodas and teas. Food for thought- don't buy into marketting, and if green tea doesn't make you feel better then trust your body and see a doctor instead of buying into the "GREEN TEA ANTIOXIDANT CLEANSING HEALTHY GREEN" bullcrap advertising.

TL;DR- Cheap black Lipton tea offers just as much antioxidants (polyphenols) as fancy matcha has to offer at a fraction of the price.

Lipton tea is covered in pesticides.

Why not just tell your friend to buy a water filter jug and make tea using that water?

The fluoride in tea is almost exclusively from the water used in home preparation. Most tea farms use rainwater, however in dry seasons there is a chance they may use water containing fluoride to water the soil. Organic tea is from plantations that don't use pesticides, but does not necessarily avoid this. Fluoridated water is not promoted in all parts of the world so this is only if it is added to public water in that area.

I agree about using the freshest form of Green Tea available. From what I've read and experienced, Matcha Green Tea is 'the most superior' form concerning using Green Tea for it's health benefits. It is made of green tea leaves which are steamed at a lower temperature, not roasted; so it stays a vibrant emerald green color, and retains more of the nutrients/antioxidant properties. It is ground up into a powder, and all you need to do is mix it in water...doesn't even need to be hot! You can make smoothies or green tea ice cream with this! And This way you are ingesting and absorbing the highest amount of green tea. It may seem more expensive, but it is worth it if you can spare the expense. And actually, you only need to use such a tiny amount, that I figured out it actually lasts the same as buying boxed green tea in the long run, for the price and duration. I order from a local company, the Tao of Tea, here in Portland, and you can buy it from many online retailers.

Dear Lauren,

Regarding the green tea...I am sorry... it is something I have not studied much. I have heard positives and negatives about it...at one point I decided to try it daily. (and I have hypothyroid issues that are under control.) I probably drank it daily for a couple of months. I did not notice any positive or negative reaction in my body and quit drinking it because I really didn't like the taste.

I do think the flouride issue is a valid concern, I just have not researched it enough at this point to have any conclusions.

Perhaps others here have some thoughts?

Have you been drinking it or are you wanting to try it? What else are you doing for your thyroid issue?

~Mama to Many~

Thank you Mama to all for your response. To answer your questions, yes I started using the green tea along with one capsule of the green tea extract about a week and a half ago. I loved it but what I noticed was that I started feeling really lethargic and no energy at all. I almost sure its the green tea cause I did not do anything different besides this. And yes I am hypothyroid and its very frustrating because it seems like so many foods that I love to eat that are considered healthy has a negative effect on the thyroid. What do you do to keep yours going without problems? I would love to know. Also, what are your thoughts on Thyrogold? Am trying to get off meds and was thinking of trying this. Would love to hear your thoughts on this or any other supplements. Thank you so much again for your response. I really do appreciate it. Stay blessed,

Dear Lauren,

Well, it does sound like the green tea isn't agreeing with you. That is a disappointment, especially since you like it and it sounds like there are other healthy things that aren't suiting you either.

Several years ago I was having an odd symptom (very dry mouth no matter how much I drank) and went to my Dr. He did blood tests and said it was my thyroid. Thinking I had no other option, I went on a low dose of Synthroid. Well, the dry mouth was better buy my hair started to fall out like crazy and I felt awful all the time. (Literally sat on the couch curled up as much as I could. Kept taking pregnancy tests as it reminded me of morning sickness. Tests were negative, though.) So, I started doing research and found that I did have other options. I went off the meds (not cold turkey..cutting back until I wasn't taking them. I wasn't on them longer than 3 months so it wasn't a big shock to my body, I don't think.) Basically, I did everything I read about that was natural and might help. I know for sure that the iodine supplements helped the most. If I run out of those the dry mouth symptom returns. For years I have taken Iodoral, but now am taking Lugol's iodine. (Same thing, just different form.)

So, here is what I am currently taking/using daily:

Lugol's iodine (6-7 drops)

Selenium (100mcg)

B-complex

Vitamin C (should do daily, but I don't always do that.)

Apple Cider Vinegar (1-2 Tablespoons in water daily)

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut Oil daily

I gave up coffee. That was hard. I love coffee. I don't know if it helped my thyroid or not...I know it helped my gall bladder!

For a time I was taking a dessicated thyroid supplement I got from a naturopath. I ran out and don't take it now. I didn't notice a difference when I was on it. For the first few months after going off synthroid, I took Dr. Christoper's Herbal Thyroid. But I am not sure if it helped.

I feel good and sleep well. Perhaps I could be doing something different that would make it even better, I don't know. I keep learning.

Regarding Thryogold, I have not tried it. It seems that these types of supplements do help some a lot. That is one thing about thyroid, there doesn't seem to be a one size fits all solution. People on Lugol's iodine take different amounts to feel well. I would start small and increase slowly what you take. Keep studying and learning and let us know what helps you!

~Mama to Many~

Hi Lauren...i would strongly second the advice of Mama to Many concerning your thyroid problems. You should always take lugols iodine with companion nutrients for thyroid problems.

The Iodine protocol, with companion nutrients is described in detail here:

The Guide to Supplementing Iodine

As to your worries about Green Tea and fluoride, this really isn't a problem if you take the Iodine Protocol on a daily basis because Iodine also acts to remove both fluorine and bromine from the body. Green Tea is very useful for getting rid of heavy metals from the body. So supplementing lugols iodine on a daily basis will also act continually to remove any fluoride from the green tea.

Furthermore, Iodine also removes heavy metals -- cadmium, arsenic, mercury, lead and aluminum from the body, so the iodine is doing exactly the same job as the green tea.

Lauren: Tea leaves accumulate more fluoride than any edible plant. Fluoride content has risen dramatically over the past 20 years. To make matters much worse fluoride is found together with aluminum. In the 16 brands of teas tested, fluoride ranged from 500-1500ppm and aluminum ranged from 30-340ppm. Aluminum alone is not readily absorbed. Fluoride ions combine with aluminum that is readily absorbed. Proteins combine with the alumina in the brain to cause alzheimer's. Calcium and zinc decreased in the brain when rats were fed alumina fluoride. Fluoroaluminate interfers with the densely expressed tsh receptor in the thyroid gland. Fluoride adversely affects polyphenol activity. Alumina interfers with the fluoride test. Fluoride is 2-4 times more when accurately tested. Polyphenols from green tea extract are only 20% absorbed. Polyphenols are only 1 of the many benefits of green tea. Get a good grade of Japanese macha tea.

Bill,

Thank you for posting the link about taking Iodine. I found it very helpful and interesting!

Lauren,

Sometimes I forget what all I started in trying to help the thyroid. I do use the Celtic Sea Salt also as recommended in the article Bill sent. I have been irregular in magnesium supplementation, but after seeing in the article that is critical for over 300 enzyme reactions, I am motivated to use it more regularly!

Regarding the magnesium, I wonder if that is one reason why Apple Cider Vinegar and Blackstrap Molasses are helpful to many conditions, as they both contain magnesium?

Have a great day, all!

~Mama to Many~

Thank you Mike for that response. Did you recommend a Japanese tea because it has no fluoride or did you recommend cause it has less fluoride in comparison to other teas. Please advice. Thank you again

To: Mama....Thank you for your response.

Lauren: Young leaves have 20 times less flouride. L-theanine is highest in matcha. Farmers apply shade covering. The color should be bright green and not have a bitter taste. High quality produces the zen effect. More than 50% of all premium matcha green teas come from Nishio. Farmers paid first world wages to ensure quality. Stems and veins removed. Granite grinding. Refrigerated warehouses. Dr. Mercola recommends royal matcha, $1.30 per cup.

Thanks, Mike. I am well aware of the superiority of matcha tea for the reasons that you cite. However, what about the fluoride in matcha tea? Can anyone answer this? It seems that there is fluoride in green tea and that there is less in the green tea that uses young versus old leaves. I have also read that there is an important difference between calcium fluoride (found in tea) and sodium fluoride (added in water, depending on where you live). I have read that calcium fluoride is less toxic (although somewhat toxic). On top of my thyroid, I am wondering about bones. I read that green tea is consistently linked with stronger bone density yet fluoride is damaging to bone health. Any clarity/thoughts/comments would be appreciated. Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2015.

Hi Matthew, I am sure your green tea is helping but I'll bet those 2 tsp. honey in every cup is making a great contribution to your feeling better also since it is known to have an antibiotic and antihistaminic effect also. However I have never heard of honey killing off our symbiotic organisms like antibiotics do, so you don't have to worry about getting C diff from it.