Benefits of Green Tea for Men: 5 Unique Science-Based Facts

Green tea, lauded for centuries in the East for its health-enhancing properties, is gaining popularity worldwide.

This article will briefly cover what green tea is and how it’s made, then specifically talk about the health benefits of green tea for men, and finally quickly see the best way to drink it and potential side effects.

So, sit back, steep your favorite green tea, and let’s get ready to discover the health benefits of green tea for men!

What is Green Tea and How is it Made?

Green tea originates from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, as black, oolong, and white tea. However, it undergoes a different process, which keeps it from oxidizing and gives it its characteristic color and light flavor. The process includes plucking, withering, rolling, and drying.

There are many varieties of green tea, including Sencha, Matcha, Genmaicha, and Longjing, each offering a unique flavor profile.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the cup of green tea, including exploring its diverse varieties, check out our complete guide on green tea.

How to make the perfect green tea

Preparing green tea is an art in itself. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to prepare green tea:

1. Select the Right Tea: Choose a high-quality green tea. It can be green tea loose leaves or green tea bags.
2. Prepare the Water: Heat water until it reaches a temperature between 160°F and 180°F. Avoid using boiling water as it can over-extract the bitter components of the tea and ruin its delicate flavor.
3. Measure the Tea: If you’re using loose tea, measure about one teaspoon per 8-ounce cup of water.
4. Steep the Tea: Pour the hot water over the tea leaves or tea bag in a cup or teapot. Let it steep for 2-3 minutes. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can let it steep a bit longer but be careful not to let it become bitter.
5. Remove the Tea Leaves or Bag: After the tea has steeped, remove the tea leaves or bag to stop the steeping process.
6. Enjoy: Sip the tea while it’s still warm. You can enjoy it plain or add a touch of your favorite sweetener or a slice of lemon if desired.

If you’re wondering if green tea has caffeine, well the answer is yes, green tea does contain caffeine, typically ranging between 20-45 milligrams per 8-ounce cup. The exact amount can vary based on factors like the specific type of green tea and brewing time.

Now let’s see the health benefits of green tea for men!

List of 5 Benefits of Green Tea for Men (plus 3 potential others)

Let’s dive into the benefits of green tea for men. These health advantages, backed by science, range from cancer prevention to weight management. We only mentionned the studies that were conducted specifically on men as this is the subject of the article. Take note of our more complete article about the benefits of green tea, that include benefits for both men and women.

1. Cancer Prevention

Cancer prevention is the action taken to lower the chances of getting cancer. When it comes to the benefits of green tea for men, several studies have suggested that drinking green tea can help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. This benefit is most pronounced in Asian populations, where the consumption of green tea is highest (Nakachi et al., 2000; Kurahashi et al., 2007).

2. Anti-carcinogenic Effects

Anti-carcinogenic effects refer to the capability to inhibit or prevent the activity of carcinogens, the substances involved in the promotion of cancer. Green tea, rich in polyphenols, has been found to hold such properties. The polyphenols in green tea can potentially delay or reverse prostate carcinogenesis, meaning that they might inhibit the development and progression of prostate cancer (Nguyen et al., 2012; Miyata et al., 2019).

3. Bone Health

Bone health is a critical aspect of overall well-being. Regular consumption of green tea has been linked with preventing age-related bone loss in older men. By mitigating bone loss, green tea may also help decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures (Shen et al., 2009).

4. Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for overall health and well-being. In this aspect, green tea also offers benefits. Consumption of green tea has been associated with potential benefits for weight management in men. Supplementing with green tea extract during resistance training has also been shown to minimize weight gain in obese men (Ghadami et al., 2018; Azizbeigi et al., 2019).

5. Kidney Stone Prevention

Preventing kidney stones, hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys, can alleviate a lot of potential discomfort and health complications. Regular intake of green tea has been associated with a lower risk of incident kidney stones, particularly in men (Shu et al., 2018).

These benefits of green tea for men highlight some specific areas that may have positive effects. Here are a few other benefits of green tea for men that are on their way to be proven on humans, as they have only been proven on male rats at this day :

• Improved Reproductive Health : Green tea has been associated with improved reproductive health as well. Additionally, green tea polyphenols have shown to increase Leydig cells (primary source of testosterone in males). However, if you are asking yourself ”is green tea good for male fertility”, well it’s important to note that these studies were conducted on male rats, hence further research is needed for confirmation in humans (Lopez et al., 2014; Zulkarnain et al., 2023).
• Cardiovascular Health : Cardiovascular health is integral to overall health, and green tea seems to offer benefits in this area as well. Studies have shown that the consumption of green tea can be a good candidate for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension in elderly individuals. This study was conducted on male rats, so more research is needed for humans (Gao et al., 2022).
• Pancreatic Health : Green tea may also provide potential benefits for pancreatic health. It has been found to have potential protective and therapeutic effects on diabetes. However, it’s essential to note that this study was conducted on male rats, so more research is needed to measure those effects on humans (Elsamman et al., 2022).

Benefits of green tea for men are not as numerous as benefits for both genders, but they are very pertinent! While further research is needed in some areas, it’s clear that regularly sipping on green tea could be a beneficial addition to any man’s routine. Also, if your passionate about other types of teas, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive article on the ”health benefits of drinking tea”!

What’s the Best Way to Take Green Tea?

Green tea can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Whether you prefer a classic hot cup in the morning or a refreshing iced green tea in the afternoon, the benefits of green tea for men remain. Pair it with a healthy breakfast or a light afternoon snack to maximize its benefits. Green tea can also be incorporated into dishes such as salads, smoothies, and even desserts! We actually incorporate green matcha in many of our recipes, you can have a look at our recipes here.

If you prefer to sip it in a fun and flavorful way and at the same time benefits from other herbs, you should absolutely try the green tea blends from Art of Tea!

Potential Side Effects and Considerations of Green Tea

While there are many benefits of green tea for men, it’s important to be aware of potential side effects. Some people may experience stomach upset or constipation, and due to its caffeine content, green tea may cause insomnia or nervousness in some individuals. Always choose high-quality green tea, and remember that while green tea can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, it is not a substitute for a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Conclusion

In summary, the benefits of green tea for men are vast, ranging from cancer prevention to weight management.

We encourage you to incorporate green tea into your daily routine and explore these benefits for yourself. Don’t forget to share your experience with us!

If you are interested in exploring more types of tea and their health benefits, make sure to check out our review post about the best green teas.

References

• Azizbeigi, K., Stannard, S. R., Atashak, S. (2019). Green Tea Supplementation During Resistance Training Minimally Affects Systemic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Indices In Obese Men. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod, In Press(In Press). Link Here
• Elsamman, W., Gaber, D., Mohamed, A. (2022). Effect Of Green Tea On Pancreas Of Streptozocin Induced Diabetes Mellitus In Adult Albino Rats (Electron Microscopic Study). Sohag Medical Journal, 2(26), 108-114. Link Here
• Gao, J., Akbari, A., Wang, T. (2022). Green Tea Could Improve Elderly Hypertension By Modulating Arterial Stiffness, the Activity Of The Renin/angiotensin/aldosterone Axis, And The Sodium–potassium Pumps In Old Male Rats. Journal of Food Biochemistry, 12(46). Link Here
• Ghadami, A., Abedi, B., Abarghoee, J., Rarani, S. (2018). The Combined Effect Of Resistance Training and Green Tea Supplements On The Lipid Profile And Anthropometric Indices Of Overweight And Obese Males. Zahedan J Res Med Sci, In Press(In Press). Link Here
• Kurahashi, N., Sasazuki, S., Iwasaki, M. (2007). Green Tea Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk In Japanese Men: A Prospective Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 1(167), 71-77. Link Here
• Li, W., Yue, L., Xiao, S. (2022). Prospective Associations Of Tea Consumption With Risk Of Cognitive Decline In the Elderly: A 1-year Follow-up Study In China. Front. Nutr., (9). Link Here
• Miyata, Y., Shida, Y., Hakariya, T., Sakai, H. (2019). Anti-cancer Effects Of Green Tea Polyphenols Against Prostate Cancer. Molecules, 1(24), 193. Link Here
• Nakachi, K., Matsuyama, S., Miyake, S., Suganuma, M., Imai, K. (2000). Preventive Effects Of Drinking Green Tea On Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: Epidemiological Evidence For Multiple Targeting Prevention. BioFactors, 1-4(13), 49-54. Link Here
• Nguyen, M. M., Ahmann, F. R., Nagle, R. B., Hsu, C. H., Tangrea, J. A., Parnes, H. L., … & Chow, H. S. (2012). Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial Of Polyphenon E In Prostate Cancer Patients Before Prostatectomy: Evaluation Of Potential Chemopreventive Activities. Cancer Prevention Research, 2(5), 290-298. Link Here
• Shen, C., Yeh, J., Cao, J., Wang, J. (2009). Green Tea and Bone Metabolism. Nutrition Research, 7(29), 437-456. Link Here
• Shu, X., Cai, H., Xiang, Y., Li, H., Miller, N. L., Miller, N. L., … & Hsi, R. S. (2018). Green Tea Intake and Risk Of Incident Kidney Stones: Prospective Cohort Studies In Middle‐aged And Elderly Chinese Individuals. Int. J. Urol., 2(26), 241-246. Link Here
• Zulkarnain, A. R., Darwinata, A. E., Widianti, I. G. A. (2023). Green Tea Kombucha Increases Leydig Cell Numbers and Testosterone Level In Male Wistar Rats Exposed To Nicotine Electric Cigarette Vapor. Int J Res Rev, 4(10), 11-18. Link Here