Have you ever heard that red tea is good for cholesterol? This tea is one of the variations of teas made from the herb Camellia sinensis . Black tea, green tea and white tea are the other variations. The difference between them is in the form of preparation and maturation of the herb, where after a process of elimination of enzymes and fermentation, the characteristic red color of the tea is obtained. The parts of the herb used for consumption are the leaves and the stem.
Red tea is widely used for the excellent benefits that its properties provide to our body. According to clinical herbalist Michelly Caldi, it has proteins in its composition; carbohydrates; Ascorbic acid; B-complex vitamins and puric bases, especially caffeine; polyphenols: flavonol and flavone monosides; among other important substances.
One of the best known benefits of this tea is that it lowers the level of cholesterol (LDL) in the blood , preventing heart disease. See how to prepare this drink.
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How to prepare red tea for cholesterol?
Michelly says that red tea can be prepared by infusion, using the amount of 5 grams for 500 mL of water. It can be consumed 3 to 4 times a day.
Check it step by step:
- Boil 500 ml of water.
- After boiling, turn off the heat and add the 5 grams of tea.
- Abafe for about 10 minutes.
- After that time, strain and condition the tea. Store in refrigerator.
The herbalist says that it is important to strain the tea so that the active principles do not return to the leaves again. In addition, she advises: “it is very important to remember that medicinal tea , after its preparation, cannot be reheated”.
For those who do not like tea, the expert says that there are other possible ways to consume red tea. You can purchase it in the form of capsules, mother tincture (drops) or through the soluble extract.
Other benefits of red tea
In addition to lowering the level of bad cholesterol, red tea has many other benefits. Michelly lists some of the most important ones:
- Improves blood flow preventing some heart disease;
- Acts as a diuretic;
- Stimulates the immune system;
- It burns calories by acting as a thermogenic in the body, as it speeds up metabolism , aiding in weight-loss diets;
- Helps to detoxify the body. Polyphenols and anthocyanins act as antioxidants that fight the action of free radicals capable of damaging cells, preventing premature skin aging. Free radicals are naturally produced from common daily habits, such as breathing, poor diet, sun exposure, pollution, emotional stress, among others.
According to the herbalist, there are still no studies showing contraindications for red tea, however, it is common to find recommendations for pregnant women and people suffering from insomnia not to consume the tea, due to the high caffeine content. Even so, the ideal is always to consult a health professional before starting any type of treatment.
Cholesterol and its two types
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is naturally present in our body and plays an important role in the proper functioning of cells. “It is a structural component of our body’s cell membranes and is present in the heart, brain, liver, intestine, muscles and skin. Cholesterol also participates in the production of some hormones such as: vitamin D, testosterone, estrogen, cortisol and also bile acids that help in digestion”, explains Michelly. However, you need to know that there are two types of cholesterol. So-called good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein) is bad cholesterol. Michelly says that it accumulates in the arteries silently, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as angina, heart attack or stroke. Therefore, your control is very important for health. The excess of this cholesterol can be due to genetic or dietary factors.
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is good cholesterol. It has the ability to transport bad cholesterol from the arteries to the liver, where it will be eliminated.
Other Ways to Improve Cholesterol Levels
Lifestyle is very important for cholesterol control, so it is necessary to change some habits in our routine. “Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, avoiding eating foods with saturated fat and avoiding smoking are important measures to be followed. The treatment is preventive and permanent”, explains Michelly.
Thus, the professional indicates consuming healthier foods and rich in omega 3 , such as: salmon, fiber , fruits and vegetables, soy , nuts and garlic . All of these foods contribute to improving blood cholesterol levels.
On the other hand, the foods that most increase cholesterol and should be avoided are: egg yolks , bacon, poultry skin, butter, cream, cream, fried foods, sausages and sausages.
Finally, she adds: “there are a great number of plants in herbal medicine, including scientific evidence, that improve blood cholesterol levels. Its use requires monitoring by an herbalist who will assess the individual needs of each patient, evaluate the medications that this patient already uses and, based on the individuality of each one, draw a line of treatment”, reinforces the professional.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.