Short Answer: Green tea is good for PCOS. Because it has catechins and caffeine, and they can lower androgen levels, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce body weight and fat mass, and regulate the menstrual cycle in women with PCOS.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects your ovaries, which are the reproductive organs that produce estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.
The ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones called androgens.
In PCOS, your body produces too much androgen, which causes hormonal imbalances and prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs regularly.
This can lead to various health problems, such as irregular periods, infertility, acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth on the face and body), obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
One of the key factors in managing PCOS is diet.
What you consume can affect your blood sugar levels, which can impact your PCOS symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage PCOS, you should consume low glycemic index (GI) foods like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and avoid high GI foods like white bread, rice, pasta, and sugary drinks.
Low GI foods help keep your blood sugar stable and reduce insulin resistance, while high GI foods can spike your blood sugar and worsen insulin resistance.
Now, green tea is a type of tea that is made from unoxidized leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
It is one of the least processed types of tea, containing the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.
People usually drink green tea as a hot or cold beverage, or take it as a supplement in the form of capsules or extracts456.
Green tea is good for PCOS because it contains catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which are antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity effects.
Green tea catechins can help lower androgen levels, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce body weight and fat mass, and regulate the menstrual cycle in women with PCOS.
Green tea may also have some protective effects against certain types of cancer, such as breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, which are more common in women with PCOS.
One cup (240 ml) of brewed green tea can give you about 50–100 mg of catechins and 15–30 mg of caffeine.
Catechins can positively affect PCOS by modulating the activity of enzymes and hormones involved in androgen production and metabolism, enhancing the uptake of glucose by the cells, and inhibiting the absorption of fat from the intestine.
Caffeine can also have some beneficial effects on PCOS by increasing the metabolic rate and thermogenesis, which can help burn more calories and fat.
Furthermore, green tea is a low calorie and low GI drink and drinking low calorie and low GI drinks is good for PCOS.
Because, they can help prevent weight gain, reduce the risk of diabetes, and lower the inflammation and oxidative stress associated with PCOS.
You can drink 2–3 cups of green tea per day safely.
More than that can cause side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, nausea, headache, and irregular heartbeat, due to the caffeine content.
You should also avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach, as it can increase the acidity of the stomach and cause indigestion or ulcers.
Also, you shouldn’t drink green tea if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, antibiotics, or antidepressants, to prevent interactions or adverse effects.
Because, green tea can interfere with the absorption or metabolism of these drugs and cause complications .
You can buy fresh green tea leaves or tea bags in your local market or can order them online.
Always choose organic and high quality green tea, as it will have more catechins and less contaminants.
Because, some green tea products may contain pesticides, heavy metals, or artificial additives that can harm your health.
You can store them in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to 6 months.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing PCOS effectively.
I always recommend my PCOS patients to follow a PCOS-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.