Snoring and breathing problems during sleep may be a sign of a condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a relatively common disorder causing interruptions in breathing, snoring and shallow breathing during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious medical problems. Researchers have found that certain chemicals in green tea may help problems related to sleep apnea. Consult your doctor before using any nutritional or dietary supplements.
About Sleep Apnea
Many people aren't aware that they have sleep apnea because it only occurs during sleep, can't be detected by blood tests and doctors generally have difficulty diagnosing the condition during regular checkups. There are two types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airways collapse or become blocked. This form most commonly occurs in people who are overweight and generally results in snoring or pauses in breathing, which can awaken you in the middle of the night. Another form, known as central sleep apnea, is the result of a brain malfunction that results in short periods of not breathing. Sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and other health problems. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or stopping smoking, can help. Doctors usually treat sleep apnea with a device used to promote the delivery of air during sleep, surgery or certain other types of therapies. Some scientists believe that green tea may also provide benefits to people who suffer from sleep apnea.
About Green Tea
Green tea is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in the world. Native and herbal healers in China and India have been aware of the health benefits of green tea for hundreds of years. Green tea contains potent compounds known as polyphenols, which are antioxidant substances that combat the effects of free radicals in your body. Free radicals occur in substances such as cigarette smoke and smog, as well as in radiation and sunlight, and they may cause cell death and disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, green tea may be useful for health conditions such as atherosclerosis, high cholesterol and inflammatory bowel disease and may prevent certain forms of cancer. The polyphenols in green tea may also play a role in preventing some of the cognitive problems associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
Clinical Evidence
Obstructive sleep apnea is often associated with oxidative stress caused by free radicals as well as with certain types of cognitive deficits due to hypoxemia, a condition caused by the restriction of oxygen in your blood. According to a study published in the November 1986 issue of "Chest," the journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, people who have obstructive sleep apnea with hypoxemia display deficits in cognitive skills such as "attention, concentration, complex problem-solving, and short-term recall of verbal and spatial information." A study published in the May 2008 issue of the "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine," the journal of the American Thoracic Society, showed that administration of polyphenols found in green tea to laboratory rats subjected to oxygen depletion resulted in less oxidative stress and cognitive deficits. The results suggest that green tea may have similar applications to humans suffering from sleep apnea, although further clinical research is needed.
Considerations
While green tea may provide certain benefits to people suffering from sleep apnea, green tea is not a cure for the condition. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or treat any symptoms you may experience. Consult your doctor to discuss your concerns and obtain advice about possible treatments. Green tea may interact with a number of medications. As with any dietary supplement, inform your doctor if you plan to use green tea or green tea supplements.
References
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: Sleep Apnea
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- "CHEST"; Cognitive impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and associated hypoxemia; L.J. Findley, et al; November 1986
- "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine"; Green Tea Catechin Polyphenols Attenuate Behavioral and Oxidative Responses to Intermittent Hypoxia; I. Burckhardt, et al; May 2008
