The body must maintain a delicate balance of cholesterol – too much of the "bad" type can clog the arteries, leading to a range of serious health issues. Fortunately, there is a hot drink at hand to help you lower elevated cholesterol levels: green tea.
Green tea originates from China, where the leaves are heat-treated using a roasting method, and in Japan, where the leaves are more commonly steamed. It is exceptionally rich in flavonoid compounds that can help promote heart health by lowering harmful cholesterol and reducing blood clotting. Flavonoid compounds have been shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effect of green tea on breaking down cholesterol. A meta-analysis from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicates that green tea significantly reduces total cholesterol, including "bad" cholesterol in the blood.
However, green tea did not affect HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol – the type that counters the harmful effects of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
