Most people are well aware of the health benefits associated with green tea. In fact, I drink green tea primarily for the positive health boost. From its anti-inflammatory properties to cancer-fighting ingredients, green tea is a known powerhouse. But what you might not hear about too often is green tea’s positive effects on the gut, too – more specifically, the prebiotics and probiotics it contains that benefit gut health. So, does green tea have probiotics? Let’s cover the facts.
Green tea has traces of both prebiotics and probiotics. Green tea has selective antimicrobial properties that destroy harmful bacteria while promoting gut-friendly flora. In addition, catechins found inside of the tea are also known for restoring a suitable balance for an overall healthier lifestyle.
Are you curious about the effects of green tea on your gut and overall digestive tract? I know that I am and having straightforward information like this might just give all of us another substantiated reason to enjoy green tea.
This article discusses how green tea works in the body to help remove harmful bacteria and promote better gut health thanks to the prebiotics and probiotics it contains.
Does Green Tea Have Probiotics?
Green tea has been widely used for centuries as a medicinal tea. It has a seemingly endless supply of health benefits. However, it has not been widely used for its probiotic benefits.
Most people don’t know that green tea has been shown to have trace amounts of prebiotics and probiotics.
It’s not entirely shocking that green tea hasn’t been used for probiotics, though. After all, when one hears the word probiotic, their first thoughts usually are of other things such as kefir, kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut — and that would be correct. These are all foods that have significant probiotic content that can seriously improve your gut health.
The good news is that at least one study demonstrates that green tea contains both prebiotics and probiotics.
“Most people don’t know that green tea has been shown to have trace amounts of prebiotics and probiotics.”
TEA CROSSING
5 Probiotic Benefits of Green Tea
Like any food containing prebiotics or probiotics, green tea can offer sepcific health benefits. Whether or not you need just one more reason to drink green tea, let’s cover the benefits you can expect.
5 of the probiotic benefits you can experience from consuming green tea include:
Benefit #1: Balanced Gut Bacteria
The right number of healthy bacteria is necessary for a healthy gut. A gut that is out of balance can lead to a wide range of health problems, from central nervous damage to heart disease. Probiotics in green tea promote the growth of healthy bacteria while destroying harmful bacteria in the gut.
Benefit #2: Healthy Digestive Track
Those who suffer from digestive issues like diarrhea or scattered bowel movements will reap the benefits of probiotics in green tea with a healthier digestive tract that helps consumers stay regular.
Benefit #3: Mental Health Support
An unhealthy gut is directly related to mental health. Bringing about a balance in your gut will help to improve your mental health.
Benefit #4: Improved Heart Health
Keeping blood cholesterol and blood pressure down is key to a healthy heart — and that’s precisely what probiotics in green tea can provide.
Benefit #5: Boosted Immune System
Probiotics found in green tea work to keep one healthy and strong. For starters, it can help the production of natural antibodies. It may also increase the response time of white cells in the body.
The Additonal Properties of Green Tea that Boost Gut Health
While green tea does have traces of both prebiotics and probiotics, it’s essential to look at the more prominent effects of green tea on gut health.
Here’s how green tea’s ingredients, including prebiotics and probiotics, help gut health:
Green Tea Contains Catechins
Catechin is a natural phenol and antioxidant found in green tea. This ingredient is known for restoring a beneficial balance in the intestinal flora. Regular consumption of green tea leads to an increase in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, otherwise known as healthy gut floras.
Catechins also promote a balanced pH level with mild acidity. In turn, this leaves the best environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive. Too little or too much acidity can destroy healthy bacteria, leading to an excessive amount of harmful bacteria that cause an unhealthy gut.
Green Tea is a Stress Reliever
Green tea is also highly beneficial when it comes to reducing stress levels. Why is this so important? An excessive amount of stress can wreak havoc on the gut flora, leaving an individual with far too much unhealthy bacteria. Drinking green tea helps this situation.
For one, drinking green tea gives the drinker a hefty dose of pre and probiotics automatically. However, it also promotes relaxing and reduced stress levels. This makes it easier for an individual to absorb the pre and probiotics and hold onto them.
Green Tea Has Antimicrobial Properties
Green tea can be used topically, too.
Antimicrobial properties found in the tea can be excellent at clearing up skin breakouts and irritations found on the face and body. This is because the antimicrobials fight against harmful bacteria, destroying them in their path.
The same is true for inside the body when consuming green tea, too. And don’t worry — just because green tea is an antimicrobial powerhouse that destroys harmful bacteria in its path, it’s also selective at what it destroys. Green tea only goes after the undesirable, harmful organisms inside the body that can lead to an unhealthy gut.
The good news is that green tea’s properties won’t touch your good bacteria.
Combined with the natural pre and probiotics occurring in green tea, those who consume green tea regularly find that there is either no harmful changes or that their gut health has improved exceptionally.
This is not only caused by the destroying of harmful bacteria but also the addition of desirable bacteria, including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.
Green Tea Allows for Healthy Bacteria to Thrive
There is one more thing this superb tea can do — create the ideal space for good bacteria to thrive.
Green tea is known for offering the right nutrition and ingredients for a healthy gut.
Because green tea encourages the proper nutrients for pre and probiotics to live, your gut is left with a blank slate that encourages the promotion of healthy bacteria. It’s a win-win situation.
Can Probiotics Survive in Green Tea?
Some consumers may find themselves concerned about whether probiotics can live in green tea. This is a common concern as many are under the impression that pre and probiotics can die off when exposed to high temperatures, so what’s the deal?
Well, studies have been conducted that prove that different types of healthy bacteria were able to survive in green tea. However, the conclusion also states that “One selected probiotic incubated in tea did not enhance its biological activity.”
As of yet, research has been somewhat conflicted. For now, it seems safe to say that some probiotics can survive in green tea, while others may end up dying. It’s crucial to find probiotics that work in extremely high temperatures, such as Bacillus coagulans.
A recent study also showed that green tea had the potential to increase the survival of certain bacteria, including B. infantis and B. breve. This is also critical information when learning whether probiotics can survive in green tea. The study proved that green tea placed a protective barrier over these gut-healthy bacteria, which would lead one to believe that yes, probiotics can live in green tea.
Why is Healthy Gut Flora Important?
Prebiotics and probiotics have recently become a hot topic, but not many people know exactly why.
Sure, it’s widely known that healthy gut flora is essential, but what happens if the gut isn’t on track with enough of these healthy bacteria?
Gut health is directly associated with many elements of the rest of your body and health. This includes:
- Your immune system. The gut microbiome is in charge of your immune system, including how fast and efficiently infections are handled.
- Your brain health. The gut has a direct correlation to overall brain health and your nervous system.
- Your weight. A healthier gut can stave off obesity.
- Your heart. A healthy gut can also encourage a strong heart and stave off heart disease, among other heart problems.
It’s crucial to have a healthy gut with plenty of beneficial bacteria. An unhealthy gut can eventually lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease.
Does Some Green Tea Have Added Probiotics?
Do you want to add even more healthy bacteria to your gut? Consider indulging in green tea that is specifically made with probiotics.
A few teas, such as the Bigelow Green Ginger with Probiotics, are designed to increase healthy gut flora for an overall healthier lifestyle. This tea contains GanedenBC30 probiotics (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) paired with a zesty ginger flavor that’s soothing, nutritional, and delicious.
Green tea continues to impress consumers.
More recently, green tea has been studied for its pre and probiotic factors. Green tea proves to be beneficial to gut health by adding a suitable amount of pre and probiotics while also encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria.