We recently delved deeper into what you should eat to slow hair loss, but did you know what you drink could also support hair health and aid growth?
Drinking green tea is one thing many nutritionists and other experts recommend. Here we explore why as well as take a closer look at the link between green tea and hair health.
Green tea has a very long history, with its roots dating all the way back to 2737 BC when drinking green tea was reserved for Chinese Emperors and others in the highest tiers of society. But what exactly is green tea? We’ll let BBC Good Food answer that very question:
“All types of tea, even your regular cup of builder’s, are made from the camellia sinensis plant. Green tea gets its name from the emerald green colour created when brewing these unprocessed, unfermented leaves. With origins dating as far back as 5,000 years, green tea is commonly drunk and grown in East Asia where the health properties are highly valued.”
Green tea was thought to be discovered by accident with Emperor Shennong responsible for this now hugely popular beverage. The Emperor is said to have accidentally drank water with a dead tea leaf boiled in it. The rest they say is history!
Despite green tea being the drink of choice in Asia for many, many centuries, it remains a top choice today all over the world. Its benefits are certain to be the main motivations behind its popularity. How it is processed also makes green tea a healthy choice when compared with other varieties.
The process of harvesting, withering, steaming and drying the young leaves that make green tea means vital, bioactive compounds can be preserved to unlock an impressive range of health benefits. As a result, green tea has the highest concentration of antioxidants and polyphenols and naturally stimulates the body and mind to improve function and reduce risk.
Based on the most thorough green tea studies, consumption has been linked to better cognitive function, improved weight management, lower risk of some cancers and Alzheimer’s disease, enhanced oral health, reduced blood sugar, and the prevention of heart disease.
When consumed in smaller quantities, green tea has also been found to be an effective remedy for hormonal imbalance.
The increased metabolism and improved weight management that green tea consumption actively encourages have been linked to hair growth too. Green tea compounds are said to stimulate follicles to increase the rate of growth. It’s also thought to inhibit the inflammation that exacerbates autoimmune conditions that commonly cause hair loss and thinning.
In addition to drinking green tea, green tea-derived extracts are being applied topically with varied results. Small studies found that the application of green tea extract increased hair growth, boosted blood flow, and improved oxygen delivery to help selected participants improve the health and condition of their follicles.
Due to the limited size of these studies, however, the effects of green tea (whether drunk or applied topically) on the hair cannot be accurately assessed or confirmed. One thing is for sure when it comes to preserving your wider health and wellbeing, it can’t hurt to make green tea a part of your daily routine!
