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