SICKLE CELL AND GREEN TEA
Sickle Cell and green tea
I have been drinking green tea for a while now and want to share its benefits with you as someone who suffers from Sickle Cell. As you well know, due to the strong painkillers that we take, our digestive system can be all over the place, if its not bloated today, its constipated tomorrow, or its churning etc…
So what exactly are the benefits of green tea?
Green tea is made from un-oxidized leaves and is one of the less processed types of tea (with white tea the least) and therefore contains one of the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.
Green tea was used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion, improve heart and mental health and regulate body temperature.4 Recent studies have shown green tea can potentially have positive effects on everything from weight loss to liver disorders, type 2 diabetes and alzheimer’s disease.
Unsweetened brewed green tea is a zero calorie beverage. The caffeine contained in a cup of tea can vary according to length of infusing time and the amount of tea infused.
In general, green tea contains a relatively small amount of caffeine (approximately 20-45 milligrams per 8 oz cup), compared with black tea which contains about 50 milligrams and coffee with 95 milligrams per cup.2
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
Green tea has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, originating in China but widely used throughout Asia this beverage has a multitude of uses from lowering blood pressure to preventing cancer.
The reason that green tea has more health benefits attached to it than black tea is (apparently) due to the processing. Green tea’s processing avoids the fermentation process, as a result, green tea retains maximum amount of antioxidants and poly-phenols the substances that give green tea its many benefits.e all things, moderation is the key, so don’t over drink it.
Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial – Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases.
Green tea also contains tannins (which can decrease the absorption of iron and folic acid), so if you are pregnant or trying to conceive then green tea may not be ideal for you. You can try mixing green tea with other healthy ingredients such as ginger.
http://www.lifehack.org/
Can I drink green tea if i have anaemia?
It is true that certain substances in tea, like caffeine, tannins and polyphenols can reduce the absorption of iron in the intestine. If you have iron-deficiency anemia, the last thing you need is to decrease the rate of iron absorption in your body. Luckily, caffeine and tannins are found in higher quantities in black tea. Unfortunately, there are still some substances in green tea that have been shown to limit iron absorption.
What do you do?
Green tea only has an effect on iron absorption when it is taken shortly before, during or shortly after iron intake. As long as you avoid drinking green tea while you´re eating an iron-containing meal or when taking iron supplements, it is perfectly safe to enjoy a cup or two a day.
The decision is yours to make. Given the countless benefits of green tea, it may be wise to not cut it completely out.
Remember that green tea contains caffeine, that, if taken at night, can prevent you from sleeping. Like all products, enjoy with moderation! Especially if you have anemia, it is recommended to drink 1-3 cups a day.
Continue reading: http://health.onehowto.com
