If you are suffering from high cholesterol it means you have too much of a fatty substance known as cholesterol in your blood. Over time this can build up in the blood vessels causing blockages.
This can prevent blood flowing properly through the arteries. For this reason having high cholesterol is a major risk factor for medical emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks.
There are several factors that can contribute to high cholesterol, with diet being one of them. For example, eating too much saturated fat can raise your cholesterol levels.
Luckily, making certain changes to your diet can also have the opposite effect.
According to research one hot drink in particular could help you lower your cholesterol in a healthy way.
One study, published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 2011, found that polyphenols known as catechins found in green tea led to a “significant” reduction in both total and “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol).
Study authors said: “The consumption of green tea catechins is associated with a statistically significant reduction in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; however, there was no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [‘good’ cholesterol] or triglyceride levels.”
A similar conclusion was reached by a scientific study from 2020.
The meta-analysis, which was published in Nutrition Journal, looked at the effect of green tea on more than 3,000 people.
“Thirty-one trials with a total of 3,321 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. In general, green tea intake significantly lowered the total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels compared with those in the control.
“Green tea consumption did not affect high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; however, it reduced the triglycerides compared with that in the control.”
These findings were the same in people who were both overweight or obese and those who were a healthy weight.
However, the study authors added that further research including more diverse populations and over a longer duration are needed.
This year Teresa Fung, adjunct professor of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, also suggested that the catechins found in green tea could also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, help lower blood sugar levels and even prevent tooth decay. She recommended three cups a day for the best results.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol levels you should speak to your GP.