While green tea has been studied for its numerous health
benefits, there’s at least one area of interest that needs
more attention.
Can drinking green tea really enhance fertility?
Now that's the one-hundred-thousand dollar question! There’s
a lot of conflicting opinions and research results
pertaining to that subject. We'll try to be fair and present
both sides of the issue.
Any tea made from the Camellia sinensis bush contains
caffeine. On the bright side of the teapot, green tea has
only one-sixth to one-tenth of the amount of caffeine that a
similar amount of regular coffee contains.
For those of us who are trying to watch our caffeine intake,
that’s a good deal. If you need a caffeine fix though, green
tea isn't going to give you what you're looking for. Better
start looking for the nearest Starbucks.
How can drinking green tea increase fertility?
A study done by the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program
in Oakland, California revealed that the chances of
conceiving doubled for woman who daily drank more than one-
half cup of green tea containing caffeine (American Journal
of Public Health, 1998). Because this wasn't the case for
the other tested caffeinated beverages, caffeine wasn't
deemed the causing agent. Some credit was given to the
possibility that the polyphenols and hypoxanthine, compounds
found in tea, resulted in a greater number of viable
embryos, and increased maturation and fertilizability of
oocytes.
Another conclusion of this study was that the healthy
lifestyle of many green tea drinkers, such as regular
exercise and decreased smoking and fat intake, might also
play a role in the enhanced fertility levels of the test
subjects.
How can drinking green tea decrease fertility?
Tannic acids, an element found in green tea, have been shown
to cause fertility problems and greater chances at
miscarrying.
While not an "initial" fertility situation, rumor has it
that EGCG, the main disease-fighting antioxidant known as
catechins in green tea that have been found to impede the
growth of tumors, might also effect the blood vessel growth
of a developing embryo.
Another post-fertility issue related to an excessive intake
of green tea involves the increased rate of birth defects.
Past studies have concluded that coffee consumption
increases the risk of miscarriages and that caffeine intake
enhances the negative effects of alcohol intake on
fertility. While not directly related to green tea, caffeine
is the potential cause of such problems.
Should I or shouldn't I drink green tea for fertility
issues?
The best advice that we can give you is something you've
heard before. Check with your doctor first. Do your
homework. Then and only then can you make a truly educated
and well-informed decision about a very delicate issue.
Whatever you decide, we wish you the best of luck in your
quest for that new addition to your family. Cheers...
About the Author
Vaughn Balchunas is a writer and publisher of health and self-growth articles.
For more information about tea and health go to:
www.tea-guide.com
