Which tea is good for the liver – a review of scientific research

Tea is the most consumed drink in the world. But many people do not even realize that there are over 80 types of it, and this is if you do not take into account the so–called "herbal preparations", which are quite popular in the CIS countries.

Some of these drinks may be beneficial for the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

According to one meta-study, which summarized data from 10 separate studies from the USA, Japan and China, regular consumption of green tea reduces the risk of developing many liver diseases such as cirrhosis, fatty hepatosis and cancer.

Other research confirms that black tea protects liver cells from the destructive effects of alcohol.

In addition, Scientists confirm that some medicinal plants have hepatoprotective properties.

In this article, we will describe in detail the effect of teas and various herbal drinks on the health of the liver and other organs of the human gastrointestinal tract, as well as tell you which of them are most useful.

The effect of green tea

As mentioned above, green tea reduces the risk of developing many diseases. This effect is achieved due to the fact that it:

1. Prevents the destruction of liver cells. Antioxidants, which are found in abundance in green tea, contribute to this. They help protect and cleanse the liver from various toxic substances.
2. Normalizes the water-salt balance of the blood. This reduces the burden on the liver, as the amount of toxins in the body also decreases. All this is complemented by a diuretic effect. If you abuse a drink, there is potassium deficiency , but the content of sodium compounds (which are regarded by the body as toxins) is growing.
3. Is the prevention of many liver pathologies. Catechins, which are antioxidants, as well as many other substances, help in this.

However, British scientists have recently conducted research regarding the negative effects of green tea. The results are published in the specialized medical journal BMJ Case Reports. According to them:

1. Abuse causes liver failure. Pesticides used in tea cultivation provoke this effect. Unfortunately, this type of processing is used by almost all manufacturers.
2. Caffeine is also contained in green tea. Moreover, there is no less of it there than in black. Especially "dangerous" is tea made from the leaves of the Chinese tea tree (better known as "camellia").

However, the research data is relevant only for those who drink 3 or more cups of green tea daily. Do not abuse the drink, so as not to get more harm than good from it.

The effects of black tea

The effect of a black drink on the liver was studied by a group of scientists at Scientific Systems Inc. According to their findings, black tea:

1. Acts as a preventive measure. Among the subjects who drank black tea or coffee at least 2 times a day, the number of chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys and pancreas was 25% lower.
2. Lowers blood pressure. And caffeine contributes to this. Moreover, the effect of lowering is obtained easily, without a sharp jump. This is important for hypertensive patients and those who suffer vascular diseases.
3. Cleanses the bile ducts. But this applies only to those cases when tea is drunk hot, in small quantities. At the same time, a hot drink literally stimulates the work of the stomach and gallbladder. This is an excellent prevention of the formation of stones in the bile ducts.
4. Prevents hepatosis. This effect is achieved due to the presence of black tea in the composition iron , zinc, fluorine and tannins – these substances are directly involved in the normalization of the balance shaped bodies in the shelter and, as well as the regeneration of liver cells (the nutritional components for this are extracted from the blood).

7 Healthy Herbal Drinks

Doctors also recommend drinking herbal teas to strengthen and maintain the liver in good shape. The most useful are:

1. Ivan tea. Cypress, which is the basis of such tea, accelerates the process of splitting toxins, including ethyl group, acetone. It is especially useful when the liver is impaired due to prolonged intake of alcoholic beverages.
2. Monastic. It is often recommended specifically for liver cleansing. It also has a powerful choleretic effect. And since there is also a pharmacy chamomile in the composition, it eliminates inflammatory processes. It will be useful for hepatitis of any etiology.
3. Milk thistle. Tea based on this herb acts as a hepatoprotector. This effect is exerted by silymarin, which prevents the oxidation of lipid compounds in the membranes of liver cells. It also prevents inflammatory processes, protects cells from the penetration of toxic components into them.
4. Ginger. It contains a large number of bitter components, from which bile is subsequently formed and its outflow is stimulated. But with advanced diseases of the bile ducts and bladder, such tea should be discarded in order to prevent blockage.
5. Chamomile. Comprehensively strengthens the immune system, as well as relieves inflammation. And due to its diuretic effect, it normalizes the balance of electrolytes in the blood, which will help the body get rid of toxins.
6. Koporsky. It is based on Cyprus. Therefore, the beneficial effect fully corresponds to that of ivan tea.
7. Karkade. Also has a choleretic effect, and due to the presence of vitamin C in the composition, it restores the protective functions of liver cells. But do not abuse it – stimulation of bile secretion can exacerbate gastritis or gastric ulcer.

Overview of pharmacy options

Herbal teas and fees can also be purchased in pharmacies, including those that are used specifically to restore and strengthen the liver. The most popular among them are:

1. Evalar bio. The manufacturer recommends taking it for diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular, for the prevention of atherosclerosis. However, this effect is also useful for the liver, because it is it that is engaged in the breakdown of lipid compounds. And it will also help with fatty hepatosis, when healthy liver cells are gradually replaced by fatty ones.
2. Liver tea. It contains immortelle, corn stigmas, dandelion, anise, and a small amount of green tea. It eliminates inflammation and pain in the right hypochondrium well. It also slightly increases the outflow of bile. Such tea can be consumed even in advanced stages of hepatitis.
3. Chinese tea. Is prepared on the basis of the leaves of the green tea tree – camellia. It should not be abused, as this leads to the accumulation of lipids, as well as a violation of enzyme synthesis (affects the work of the digestive system). In case of chronic liver diseases, it is better to give up Chinese tea. This also includes the famous puer tea.
4. Sultan. It is produced in Turkey, it contains cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg. The manufacturer claims that this is the best way to strengthen the immune system. Additionally protects the liver from infection and parasites, stimulates the outflow of bile (due to the presence of ginger in the composition).

Almost all "heart" fees are also useful for the liver, since the functionality of the organ directly depends on proper operation of the cardiovascular system (large feeding vessels pass through the liver). They can also be included in the diet for the prevention of chronic diseases.

Cooking Recommendations

Not only the composition of the tea is important, but also how to prepare it. Nutritionists recommend following the following tips:

1. Sugar. Add a small amount, at the rate of 1 – 1.5 teaspoons per glass of drink. Even better, replace it with honey, but add it to the cooled tea (so that the temperature is no more than 60 degrees Celsius). Only in this case it retains all its useful properties. But with cirrhosis of the liver, doctors can prescribe a carbohydrate diet. In this case, on the contrary, sugar is added as much as possible.
2. Milk and cream. On the one hand, adding milk to tea enhances its diuretic effect, which indirectly helps to accelerate the elimination of toxins from the blood. On the other hand, casein destroys catechins (the main antioxidant in tea drinks). Therefore, it is better to refuse the addition of milk.
3. Insist or not. To avoid negative consequences, it is better not to drink too strong tea. Therefore, it should be brewed for 5 minutes, then the leaves are removed (the drink is filtered).
4. Green tea. It should be prepared in a slightly different way. First, pour boiling water, let it stand for 5 minutes, then drain the water. After that, they pour a new portion of boiling water and already use this tea. That is, a "second" welding is used. In this way, pesticides and nitrates can be removed from herbs.

What can I drink for diseases?

In chronic liver diseases, the main thing is to "unload" the organ. Sometimes it may be necessary to reduce the amount of bile produced, for which low-calorie diets are prescribed.

For cirrhosis, it is recommended to take teas that protect liver cells from further destruction by acting as hepatoprotectors.

These include liver tea, Evalar bio, as well as ivan tea, milk thistle. But with advanced stages of cirrhosis, their intake is also limited – you should follow the doctor's recommendations.

For hepatosis, karkade, monastic, ginger teas, milk thistle, Evalar bio are well suited. They accelerate metabolism, which helps to break down lipid compounds. But Chinese, green teas are contraindicated in this case, since they can increase appetite.

For hepatitis, monastic and chamomile tea should be preferred – they relieve inflammation, reduce fever. Sultan tea will also prevent the exacerbation of an infectious disease. You will only need to give up black tea.

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Conclusion

In total, teas, as well as some herbal preparations, including pharmacy ones, have hepatoprotective properties. You should not just abuse these drinks and drink more than 3 cups a day (including coffee).