Green tea and lower cholesterol

[netsurfr]

I have mentioned this in a couple of the tea threads but was just wondering if anyone else had experienced a similar benefit to drinking green tea.

I drink about 4-6 16-ounce cups of green tea almost every day. Six months after I started doing this my cholesterol dropped from 205 down to 145. At first, I thought this was a testing fluke but my cholesterol has remained at the same level for over 2 years and it gets tested every three months for other medical reasons.

I did some research on the internet and while you can't believe everything out there, there are reports that indicate that green tea increases the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor sites within the liver. Since the liver absorbs more LDL and gets rid of it, the ratio of high density lipoproteins (HDLs) to LDLs increases leading to improved overall cholesteral levels and improved good to bad cholesterol ratios. I would have normally have discarded this theory out of hand but it has been working for me for an extended period of time.

So has anyone else noticed a similar benefit?

[Ockham]

I haven't noticed similar benefit as my cholesterol level is ok - or at least it was when I made my last check up.

But people are currently more aware of the qualities of green tea, and that's very good. For a survey of those qualities - and of course for the high cholesterol - you can see this page from the University of Maryland: Green tea

[OLD_SCHOOL]

I know Jasmine tea breaks down oil, that's why the Chinese usually drink it with their greasier dishes.

[zenshaver]

I have read that green tea may even slow down the spread of HIV. I suppose there are all kinds of benefits from green tea. I stopped drinking soda about 6 montha ago and changed to just drinking mostly tea(no soda at all) and I have lost 30 lbs. I have changed some other eating habits too. I think the tea mostly diet part has done the most for me. Last time I checked my blood pressure it was 120/80. Before it was 140/90 so something must be happening.I also went from eating regular table salt to sea salt. Now when I eat sea salt I have no ill effects. I would suggest sea salt to anyone.

[The Dude]

I drink a 2 glasses (16 oz) of green tea every morning. I just make it by boiling the tea bags and then adding alot of ice. I make about 2 quarts at a time so it lasts me a few days. But i drink it because of the antioxidants and it is supposed to help stimulate fat burning specifically in the lower torso (gut and love handle area). Plus i nice cool glass is the perfect refreshment after my morning run.

[zenshaver]

That is where most of my weight disappeared from.