Tea is a traditional Chinese drink made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Through trade, it spread worldwide. Then people began making other types of teas by infusing hot water with different ingredients.
Whether your tea is herbal or traditional, it offers many health advantages. Some of its properties are especially helpful for women because of PCOS tea benefits:
- Tea reduces insulin resistance, which then improves sugar levels. Women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) are susceptible to high sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes.
- Tea complements a healthy diet and exercise in helping women with PCOS lose weight. Obesity can lead to serious health issues; thus, proper weight management is crucial to PCOS treatment.
- Tea helps lower male hormone levels, such as androgen or testosterone. Increased male hormones can lead to symptoms like acne and hirsutism, or excessive hair growth, so lowering them can alleviate these symptoms.
- Tea is rich in antioxidants that can combat the effects of free radicals, such as cancer, aging, and more. This benefit is suitable for everyone, not just those with PCOS.
- Tea contains threonine, a compound that improves the drinker’s mood and combats stress.
Teas for PCOS
There are several types of teas, and they keep growing by the day! But if there are so many, how do you know what kind of tea is good for PCOS?
The best tea for PCOS is the one that alleviates most, if not all, of your symptoms. That may vary per woman, so keep reading to discover the best for you.
Peppermint Tea for PCOS
You’ll find wonders in peppermint tea because it has a soothing effect, improves digestion, and balances hormone levels, specifically estrogen, androgen, and testosterone. It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which are excellent for enhancing the immune system.
You’ll find weight loss is easier when you drink peppermint tea regularly. This beverage also helps if you suffer from painful menstrual cramps. Have a cup of this every night, and don’t worry; it’s caffeine-free, so you’ll still get some good night’s sleep.
Spearmint Tea for PCOS
Mint-flavored teas do an excellent job in managing PCOS, and none proves that better than spearmint tea. A scientific study found that it helps lower androgen levels, which is exciting for women with acne and excessive hair growth caused by too much androgen. You feel less stressed and more confident when you don’t have to worry about unwanted hair and pimples anymore.
Spearmint tea also improves menstrual cycles, promotes better digestion, and provides antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Have two cups of this caffeine-free drink every day, any time, to experience these benefits.
Chamomile Tea for PCOS
Chamomile flowers make a floral tea that helps balance testosterone and cholesterol levels. A scientific study can support this claim after it was found that chamomile capsules can lower testosterone levels.
How does chamomile do that? It has phytosterols and phytoestrogens that interfere with testosterone production and cholesterol absorption. It also has apigenin, an antioxidant that helps people sleep better, so you should drink this tea before bedtime.
Raspberry Leaf Tea for PCOS
Raspberry leaves are as impressive as their fruits because they make a great cup of healthy tea. Like other tea types, raspberry leaf tea improves hormonal imbalance, leading to less menstrual cramps, reducing heavy flow, and enhancing mood. It’s also full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
This tea also improves fertility, especially when you have 2 to 3 cups daily. Although there’s a widespread belief that it also induces labor and must be avoided by pregnant women, studies have produced results that contradict this claim.
Green Tea for PCOS
Green tea might be the best for PCOS among all other tea types, but not because it has more benefits. This tea is the most well-studied for PCOS; thus, many scientific studies often support its benefits.
Can I Drink Green Tea If I Have PCOS?
You can and should drink green tea when you have PCOS, as it has proven beneficial.
For instance, a 2017 study found that green tea helps women lose weight, decreases insulin resistance, and reduces testosterone levels. A 2021 paper, 2021 systematic review, and 2022 systematic review have also revealed similar findings.
Which Green Tea Is Best for Hormone Imbalance?
The best green tea for hormone imbalance is the one with high levels of catechins. A particular study found that green teas from South Korea and Japan, specifically jeoncha and sencha, are rich in these compounds.
Catechins are antioxidants responsible for reducing testosterone, fasting insulin, insulin resistance, and cyst formation. They also improve ovulation and ensure healthy follicles. These properties help improve hormone balance and help manage symptoms in women with PCOS.
Best Time To Drink Green Tea for PCOS
It is best to drink green tea in the morning or afternoon. It contains caffeine, a compound known to keep you awake and alert. If you drink green tea during the night, there’s a chance you’ll be unable to sleep.
If you don’t get proper sleep, you may worsen your PCOS symptoms due to stress from lack of sleep, so keep your cup of green tea for the daytime.
Marjoram Tea for PCOS
Marjoram tea plays an essential role in traditional medicine for managing PCOS symptoms. Such was its prominence that its benefits were studied by scientists in 2015. It affirmed that marjoram tea improves hormone and insulin levels in women with PCOS.
Marjoram tea does not typically have caffeine, so you can have it any time of day without fearing it would interrupt your sleeping patterns.
Licorice Root Tea for PCOS
Although licorice root is more known for making sweet treats, it also helps treat PCOS. It is noted to help balance sugar and hormone levels.
Licorice root also has the potential to improve infertility based on the results of a mice experiment. It contributed to reducing ovarian cysts, nurturing healthy follicles, higher fertilization rate, and better embryo development in the mice.
Conclusion
Drinking tea is a simple yet effective way to manage your PCOS symptoms. However, it is not a miracle drink. To experience the benefits and see improvement in your condition, you should also follow a proper diet and professional advice.
FAQs
Which Tea Is Good For PCOS?
Green tea and spearmint tea are the best for women with PCOS. They are well-studied with PCOS and are shown to help lose weight, improve hormone levels, and reduce insulin resistance.
What Should I Drink If I Have PCOS?
You should drink tea if you have PCOS. Depending on your tea, you can lose weight, balance hormones, enhance sugar levels, and get antioxidants. They’re also a way to get caffeine at lower, healthier amounts than coffee.
What Herbs Heal PCOS?
No herb truly heals PCOS, as the condition is yet to have an actual cure. A solid, professional treatment plan, complemented with good practices, like diet and tea drinking, can help improve symptoms.
Should Tea Be Avoided If You Have PCOS?
You do not have to avoid tea if you have PCOS. You are encouraged to drink tea as they offer antioxidants, antibacterials, improved hormones, balanced sugar, and weight loss.
What Teas Help Balance Hormones?
Mint-flavored, chamomile, raspberry leaf, green, and marjoram are PCOS teas that help balance hormones. They complement treatment strategies, as addressing hormone imbalance is crucial to managing this condition’s symptoms.
