Take care of your liver with green tea! Its anti-inflammatory effect and the correct way to drink it

Introduction

The liver works silently inside our bodies. Its wide-ranging functions include breaking down alcohol, storing nutrients, and detoxifying, making it an essential organ for maintaining life.

However, this important organ is also known as the silent organ, as it is difficult to detect any symptoms in the early stages.

Liver inflammation, which progresses without you realizing it, can lead to serious illness if left untreated.

Liver inflammation, its causes and progression

Excessive alcohol consumption, viral infections, drug effects, poor diet...these are all factors that can cause inflammation in the liver.

These factors cause large amounts of reactive oxygen species to be produced in the liver, damaging cells and tissues.

If this condition continues, oxidative stress will cause liver function to decline, leading to hepatitis. If the connective fibers increase and harden, the liver will become cirrhotic. This can eventually develop into cancer, and there is a risk of developing liver cancer.

Because there are few noticeable symptoms, it is important to be conscious of liver health on a daily basis.

One thing we want to focus on here is green tea, which has been popular for a long time.

The catechins contained in green tea are known to have powerful antioxidant properties, but in recent years they are also expected to have the effect of suppressing liver inflammation.

Protect your liver! The benefits of green tea

1. Powerful antioxidant properties suppress inflammation

Catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which are abundant in green tea, are known to have powerful antioxidant properties.

The liver, the largest organ in the body, is said to be the organ most susceptible to producing reactive oxygen species that oxidize the body.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) protects liver cells by removing active oxygen that can impair liver function, and prevents "hepatocyte fibrosis" that leads to cirrhosis.

The powerful antioxidant properties of catechin are thought to help prevent various liver diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver, and cirrhosis, and to prevent the condition from worsening or becoming chronic.

2. Blocks Hepatitis Virus Infection

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) contained in green tea has the effect of preventing the hepatitis virus from invading cells by binding to the surface protein of the hepatitis virus before it does so.

In addition, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibits the activity of an enzyme necessary for the virus to grow, which helps prevent the virus from spreading in the liver after infection.

Due to these effects, green tea is thought to be useful in preventing hepatitis virus infection and preventing the disease from becoming severe after infection.

3. Suppresses fat accumulation in the liver

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) inhibits the activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS), an enzyme that promotes fatty acid synthesis in the liver, thereby suppressing fatty acid synthesis and preventing fat accumulation.

In addition, it has been reported to have the effect of activating "lipase," an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of fat, and "mitochondria."

This promotes the breakdown and burning of fat, and helps prevent fat accumulation in the liver.

In addition, although the mechanism is different, it is known that caffeine has a similar effect, and by consuming green tea on a daily basis, it is expected that fatty liver can be prevented.

The surprising effects of the latest research

In recent years, attention has been focused on the relationship between green tea and liver disease, and many academic and research facilities have examined its effects and reported interesting results.

For example, a report by Professor Kobayashi Hidefumi of Kurume University and his colleagues revealed that catechins, which are abundant in green tea, suppress the production of substances that cause inflammation and protect liver cells from damage.

In addition, catechin has been reported to suppress liver fibrosis and slow the progression to liver cirrhosis. In fact, research has shown that chronic hepatitis patients who continuously consume green tea have reduced liver inflammation markers.

Another study suggests that drinking green tea may also reduce the risk of liver cancer.

How to drink it effectively

In this way, the two main catechins found in green tea, EGCG and caffeine, are reliable allies in supporting liver health.

Try drinking 1-2 cups of strong, high-quality sencha or regular sencha brewed slowly in hot water after each meal, aiming for a total of at least 5 cups a day.

Brewing with hot water (over 85°C) extracts these compounds more efficiently, enhancing their effect on the liver.

If you are concerned about caffeine, don't worry.

The amount of caffeine contained in "regular sencha," a representative type of green tea, is 20 mg per cup (one third of that in coffee). The upper limit for caffeine intake per day is set at a maximum of 400 mg, so if you drink about five cups of green tea a day, you need not worry about adverse effects on your health.

Sencha tea is a delicious and easy way to make a daily habit and protect your liver health.

summary

How was it?

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of catechins contained in green tea are thought to protect liver cells and prevent inflammation from worsening. Incorporating green tea into your daily life may help reduce the burden on your liver and keep it healthy.

In recent years, the burden on the liver has been increasing due to poor lifestyle habits and stress. That is why it is important to get into the habit of caring for your liver with the help of green tea.

A cup to wake you up every morning, a cup after every meal, a cup to refresh yourself during work breaks...try incorporating green tea into a variety of situations.