Having high cholesterol can be fatal. Cholesterol is a type of fat found in the blood and too much of it can build up and cause blockages. If left untreated, it could lead to a number of dangerous medical conditions and emergencies such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, among others.
High cholesterol can be reduced through a number of lifestyle changes, such as reducing saturated fat, smoking, and alcohol.
But one expert suggested that adding a unique type of tea to your daily routine could also help.
Kelly Choi, founder of online food store Kelly Loves, championed the health benefits of Korean red ginseng tea.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she explained: “With many of us trying to find natural ways to improve our health, Korean red ginseng tea has become even more popular in recent years.
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“This warming drink is made with the root of the Korean ginseng plant (not to be confused with American or Siberian ginseng which are both very different).
“The tea has a rather earthy taste, so it is usually mixed with honey, sugar or lemon.
“Many Korean ginseng fans drink a cup in the morning to wake them up and give them an energy boost. It’s a much better option than a high-sugar energy drink and also a good alternative to coffee if coffee is your thing. makes you nervous.
“A cup of Korean red ginseng tea also contains strong antioxidant properties.”
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Ms Choi said the drink was rich in:
- Vitamin C
- Flavonoids
- Ginsenosides
- Other phenolic acids.
She added, “Many studies have shown that Korean red ginseng can help regulate blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar.”
What does the research say?
A study, published in the journal Nutrients in 2020, said Korean red ginseng may help lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease.
“Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is known to exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular health,” he said.
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As part of the study, she looked specifically at whether the ingredient could lower cholesterol in postmenopausal women. The trial included 68 postmenopausal women with high cholesterol.
Over a four-week period, they received either two grams of Korean red ginseng or a placebo daily.
It found that the reduction in cholesterol levels was “significantly greater” in women who consumed Korean red ginseng compared to the placebo group.
The study summarizes: “In conclusion, by measuring serum cholesterol metabolites, we found that KRG may have a favorable effect on cholesterol homeostasis in postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol).
“These results suggest that KRG consumption may improve cholesterol metabolism and prevent cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia.”
A separate study, published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2014, found that Korean red ginseng water extract may help lower cholesterol in mice with atherosclerosis — the narrowing of the arteries.
“In Conclusion, Korean Red Ginseng Extract Inhibited Serum Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides in Western Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis in Low-Density Lipoprotein (“Bad” Cholesterol) Receptor Gene-Deleted Mice” , did he declare.
Korean red ginseng can be purchased in teabag form online and at health stores, or as a supplement.
If you are concerned that you have high cholesterol you should see a GP to get tested.