Green tea for Athletes
Typically you don’t see Olympic athletes drinking green tea, but maybe you should. A recent Brazilian study shows that the antioxidants in green tea can offset the oxidative stress that comes from physical workouts. This means your body can recover more quickly from physical exercise and have less free-radical damage after a workout. From the article:
According to the results, consumption of green tea was associated with a 64 per cent reduction in the levels of lipid hydroperoxide after exercise, while blood levels of polyphenols were approximately 27 per cent high before and after exercise.
Moreover, post-exercise levels of glutathione, a protein that is important in protecting the body from oxidative (free radical) damage, were approximately 37 per cent higher in the green tea group.
“There is evidence that supplementation with antioxidants may decrease the oxidation of blood GSH after exercise,” stated the researchers. “Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that dietary strategies, such as daily GT intake, may also benefit the glutathione system of athletes by elevating blood GSH levels before and after effort.”
Consumption of green tea also provided pre-exercise benefits, with the pre-exercise FRAP value about 21 per cent higher compared with the control group.
“Consumption of green tea, a beverage rich in polyphenols, may offer protection against the oxidative damage caused by exercise, and dietary guidance for sports participants should be emphasised,” concluded the researchers.
Although this is heavy science-speak, it basically emphasizes the benefits of antioxidant intake, which is a key component of green and white teas. So if you exercise, try adding three cups a day of green tea to your diet and see what reaction you get.
It’s important to note that green tea is being promoted across the board as an extremely healthy drink. Earlier this week we noted a study showing smokers should drink green tea and today we’re pointing out that athletes should as well. The end of the article notes:
The analysts state that science is the reason for [green tea]’s growing popularity, and that it is generally accepted that green tea has a beneficial role in reducing Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, cardiovascular and oral health.
It seems green tea is beneficial for virtually the whole population (including you!). Why not try some Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls Green tea today?
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