Green tea is good. Taste-wise, but also for your health. It has so many virtues that it is constantly under the microscope of scientists and health specialists.
Consumed for thousands of years, we know that it is very rich in antioxidants, that it helps reduce bad cholesterol, that it strengthens the immune system…
But did you know that it also contributes to a good oral condition?
The number one secret: antioxidants[1]
The nutritional quality of this unoxidized leaf is generally superior to fermented teas. One difference is a higher higher concentration of antioxidants, including EGCG, a catechin.
Antioxidants have this property of neutralizing or reducing free radical damage.
At the oral level, saliva will benefit from catechins, as will the various structures that need to regenerate: soft tissue, gums, etc.
Secret number 2: fluorine [2]
Fluorine is naturally present in the tea leaf. Coming from the soil, the leaf absorbs it as it grows.
This trace element is a natural antibacterial, in addition to significantly increasing the enamel’s resistance to acidic attacks from oral fauna.
Healthy teeth and gums
- Oral bacteria are not resistant to green tea. By decreasing this microbiome, the acidity of plaque and saliva is attenuated, which has a considerable preventive effect against cavity formation.
- The presence of fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel and improve its protection against acids.
- Green tea has anti-infectious specificities that helps to prevent, or control periodontal inflammation, such as gingivitis.
- Antioxidants have the property to inhibit cellular changes. Green tea would thus counter the development of oral cancers and precancers. [3]
Beneficial as long as you don’t go overboard!
As with anything, moderation is best. To reap the multiple benefits of green tea, the desirable intake is 3 to 5 cups per day. Keep in mind that this hot beverage contains theine (identical to caffeine) and fluoride.
An overdose of these two elements can have undesirable side effects.
Green tea has an undeniable role in achieving and maintaining optimal oral health. Any excuse is good to pour yourself a cup of this oh-so-healthy elixir, consumed without sugar, of course!
Sources:
[1] https://leblognutrition.files.wordpress.com/2018/04/s41598-018-22994-3.pdf
- Effects of green tea on miRNA and microbiome of oral epithelium Guy R. Adami1 , Christy C. Tangney 2 , Jessica L. Tang1 , Yalu Zhou1 , Saba Ghafari3 , Ankur Naqib4 , Saurabh Sinha3 , Stefan J. Green 4 & Joel L. Schwartz1
[2] https://www.nutriting.com/conseils/tout-savoir-sur-le-the/?v=3e8d115eb4b3 with particular interest in the following study:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808922/
[3] https://www.passeportsante.net/fr/Solutions/PlantesSupplements/Fiche.aspx?doc=extrait-the-vert_ps
particular interest on the following studies:
- Gao YT, McLaughlin JK, and al. Reduced risk of esophageal cancer associated with green tea consumption. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1994 Jun 1;86(11):855-8.
Sun CL, Yuan JM, et al. Urinary tea polyphenols in relation to gastric and esophageal cancers: a prospective study of men in Shanghai, China. Carcinogenesis. 2002 Sep;23(9):1497-503.
36. Wang LD, Zhou Q, and al. Intervention and follow-up on human esophageal precancerous lesions in Henan, northern China, a high-incidence area for esophageal cancer. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2002 Feb;29 Suppl 1:159-72. - Tsao, A. S., Liu, D., Martin, J., Tang, X. M., Lee, J. J., El-Naggar, A. K., Wistuba, I., Culotta, K. S., Mao, L., Gillenwater, A., Sagesaka, Y. M., Hong, W. K., and Papadimitrakopoulou, V. Phase II randomized, placebo-controlled trial of green tea extract in patients with high-risk oral premalignant lesions. Cancer Prev.Res.(Phila Pa) 2009;2(11):931-941
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