In honor of the holiday we’re going to continue the green theme. This week we’re going to share some great information about the use of green tea to help your body detox.

As many of you realize that toxicity can come in many ways from foods we eat or the exhaust from our cars. Upon realizing this exposure, we understand the need of regularly detoxing. Many experts agree that an annual if not twice annual “Spring Cleaning” is needed for general health and wellness purposes.

Aforementioned I will be sharing with you the method of detoxification through tea. Specifically, green tea.

Water-soluble toxins can pass through our bodies and be eliminated through our stool, sweat, or urine. Fat- soluble, however, cannot be passed through without undergoing a metabolic transformation we call detoxification in our livers. This makes the toxins water-soluble allowing them to be eliminated through regular means. Our livers cells have mechanisms that break down toxic substances. Without getting too technical these include endogenous (produced by the body) and exogenous (obtained from the environment) substances.

So the liver has a two-part detoxification process. Phase 1 is when the functional part of the substance is removed from the toxin. Phase 2 is when that toxin is then coupled with a water-soluble substance. This makes it less toxic and able to be excreted. A simple illustration, if you eat a conventional apple that is sprayed with pesticides your liver goes through this process. You keep the good vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc but your liver must then attach the pesticides to water soluble molecules so you can get them out of your body asap. Of course if the molecules are too large, it is then excreted through bile, otherwise through urine.

Green, Oolong and black tea are all made from the same species of plant called Camellia sinensis. What makes Green tea so great for detoxing are the polyphenols, specifically, the catechin polyphenols which give off biological and medicinal qualities. In fact, the polyphenols in Green tea increase both phase 1 and phase 2 activities in the liver.

Research states that green tea may have liver protective properties. In addition, Green tea has been shown to block chromosomal (DNA) damage from chemicals in cigarette smoke. Polyphenols have also been associated with reduced risk of certain cancers in humans and other studies have shown an anticancer effect from polyphenols, including an inhibition of metastasis in skin cancer cells.

Remember this article is for information only. Do not make any changes in your diet or lifestyle without first consulting with your preventive health care provider. We always pray for your prosperity and health, 3 John 2, blessings, Donna.