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Brew a remedy for the brain
Brew a remedy for the brain
If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may want to regularly brew cups of green tea for yourself. There's evidence that a chemical in green tea can protect your brain from the damaging effects of continuous bouts of oxygen deprivation.
Researchers are in love with studying the power of antioxidants—and are still unlocking all of the benefits that are abundant in green tea. Using lab animals, the team added green tea antioxidants to the animals' water and then induced the symptoms of sleep apnea.
The results showed a protective effect on the animals' brains.
Antioxidants in green tea, called catechin polyphenols, would work like any other antioxidant: by combating oxidative stress. Sleep-apnea sufferers are subject to continuous oxidative stress when their oxygen supply is tampered with.
Sleep apnea is characterized by those fits and starts in breathing, due to your air passage being temporarily blocked repeatedly through the night.
And shutting off your air passage—and the all-important oxygen supply—will wreak havoc throughout your body, including your brain.
I would recommend using green tea in conjunction with your regular sleep-apnea therapy recommended by your doctor.
And by all means, stick with the decaffeinated variety of green tea. You certainly don't need anything else to interfere with your already-troubled sleep.
DR.I
If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may want to regularly brew cups of green tea for yourself. There's evidence that a chemical in green tea can protect your brain from the damaging effects of continuous bouts of oxygen deprivation.
Researchers are in love with studying the power of antioxidants—and are still unlocking all of the benefits that are abundant in green tea. Using lab animals, the team added green tea antioxidants to the animals' water and then induced the symptoms of sleep apnea.
The results showed a protective effect on the animals' brains.
Antioxidants in green tea, called catechin polyphenols, would work like any other antioxidant: by combating oxidative stress. Sleep-apnea sufferers are subject to continuous oxidative stress when their oxygen supply is tampered with.
Sleep apnea is characterized by those fits and starts in breathing, due to your air passage being temporarily blocked repeatedly through the night.
And shutting off your air passage—and the all-important oxygen supply—will wreak havoc throughout your body, including your brain.
I would recommend using green tea in conjunction with your regular sleep-apnea therapy recommended by your doctor.
And by all means, stick with the decaffeinated variety of green tea. You certainly don't need anything else to interfere with your already-troubled sleep.
DR.I
It may be beneficial, and anything we can do to help ourselves is good. In regards to sleep apnea, there are limits to what anything can do if one's breathing stops for for long periods (mine were up to 57 seconds). It will not prevent the apneas and subsequent health risks. I've been trying to acquire a taste for green tea because I do believe it has health benefits. But I'd prefer to prevent the stress on my brain by using my trusty CPAP.
This isn't medically accurate (except for the part about being able to sleep better if you drink decaf).
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