Go Black or Go Green? Which Tea is Good for Shrinking Uterine Fibroids
The practice of drinking tea has stayed alive for centuries because of its numerous benefits for the mind and the spirit. In modern times, teas come in a spectrum of variants, forms, and leaf combinations. Still, the most popular are the traditional types that originated from China around the third century AD. Black tea and green tea are among the most common types all around the world for their healing properties. For people suffering from uterine fibroids, these teas are often considered for relief of symptoms and for shrinking the tumors. Not both, however, might work as expected.
What’s in the Pot
Traditional teas are all made from camellia sinensis leaves. The leaves are processed into 5 basic types of teas. Green tea and black tea come from opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to oxidation. Green tea leaves are not oxidized, while black tea leaves are fully oxidized. Black tea is consequently stronger and more flavorful than the milder and more delicate green tea.
The differences in the ‘production’ process of black tea and green tea have effects on the chemical composition and nutritional makeup of the tea leaves. The resulting chemicals affect how helpful the best organic black teas and decaffeinated green teas in shrinking fibroids tumors.
Potent Chemicals
While both tea types have protective antioxidant properties, they contain different types and amounts of flavonoid polyphenols. Green tea is the one that contains a considerable amount of epigallocatechin-3-gallate or EGCG, an antioxidant that’s powerful enough to shrink and remove fibroids. Black tea, on the other hand, contains theaflavins that effectively fight inflammation and bring cholesterol levels down.
Studies on green tea extracts containing EGCG are quite positive about the effects of the chemical on uterine leiomyomas tumor growth in the uterine walls. Significant findings were observed in both test tube and mice studies, from size and weight reduction of tumors to complete fibroids removal within a period of 2 months or 8 weeks.
The chemicals in black tea are potent enough to result in better heart health and brain function. Unfortunately, uterine fibroids are not among the concerns that black tea can address. On the contrary, there are chemicals in this type of tea that can be harmful for women with fibroids. It’s estrogen-like properties and behavior could aggravate existing tumors and would create a conducive environment for fibroids. Even the best organic black teas, therefore, would not be good for anyone who is at risk for or already has tumors in her uterus.
Drinking for Health
The choice is clear when it comes to tea preference for fibroids. Drinking decaffeinated green teas is definitely part of the list of top natural remedies to shrink and get rid of fibroids in the uterus.
Even while studies are still being conducted for more conclusive evidence, researchers and doctors agree that there’s enough reason to consider green tea’s EGCG as part of the long-term management of less severe cases of uterine fibroids. The use of this extract could possibly prevent the progression of the tumors into more severe cases that eventually lead to serious symptoms and require surgical procedures.