Green Tea Diet and Colon Flush Information

There is no green tea diet, but green tea is a healthy addition to any healthy diet plan. A colon flush, however, is not only ineffective but may harm your health. If you're contemplating a change in your usual health practices, consult your doctor first to discuss benefits and risks, including the addition of green tea or the use of colon flushes.

About Green Tea

Green tea comes from the same plant as black or oolong tea, which is Camellia sinensis. It's processed differently than the other two teas, however. Green tea is made from the mature leaves of the plant, which are then steamed and fired, while the leaves used to make black and oolong tea are rolled or bruised. The processing of the tea not only affects taste but antioxidant profile as well. Green tea is rich in the various types of epicatechins, while black and oolong tea are rich in theaflavins and thearubigins. Green tea is also a source of caffeine, with approximately 9 to 50 milligrams per brewed cup.

Benefits of Green Tea

Cassia Tea for Weight Loss

Learn More

The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that green tea may help improve heart health by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels 3. As a rich source of antioxidants, green tea may also offer some protection against cancer. There's even some evidence that the tea may help in your weight-loss efforts when used as part of a reduced-calorie diet. The amount of weight lost with green tea may be minimal, however. The medical center says that most adults can safely drink 2 to 3 cups of green tea a day 3.

Colon Flush Claims and Concerns

Proponents of colon flushes, which might include water enemas or herbal laxatives, say that it helps rid your body of toxins and aids in weight loss. According to a 2011 article published in Time magazine, however, there's no evidence to support these claims. In addition to not offering any benefit, a colon flush may cause harm. For example, a water enema may cause a tear in your colon or a bacterial infection, Time reports. There's also a risk of dehydration, electrolyte imbalance or kidney failure with all the fluid loss from a cleanse.

Green Tea and Your Colon

How to Colon Cleanse Using Lemon Water

Learn More

In addition to offering a number of health benefits, green tea may benefit your colon. Currently, there is evidence that green tea may help reduce the inflammation caused by two inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center 3. Although studies have shown mixed results, green tea may also offer some protection against colon cancer. So while a colon flush offers no health benefits, adding green tea does, and it may, in turn, improve the health of your colon.