What is tea?
Tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water. Both green and black teas are made from a tea plant, Caméllia sinénsis.
The highest quality teas come from young shoots and collected from two or three upper leaves. Quality tea from more low leaves are slightly lower. If tea leaves are left oxidized, then black tea is obtained from them. Oxidation process leads to lower levels of catechin, the active ingredient in tea. Since green tea is less processed, it contains a higher level of catechins.
Catechins and polyphenols have been shown to have strong antioxidant properties so they can prevent DNA damage and reduce the risk of cancer cell formation. Due to their antioxidant activity, green tea catechins can also significantly reduce liver inflammation and gastrointestinal tract, providing protection against enteritis and hepatitis in almost all small animals. Green tea contains four main catechins: epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate. Of these four types catechin, the latter is the most powerful and physiologically active antioxidant. A regular cup of green tea contains 300-400 mg catechins, of which epigallocatechin gallate is about 5%. Black tea contains theaflavins and tea rubigins, which inhibit carcinogens and also have antioxidant properties.
Why is tea recommended for pets?
Green tea can be beneficial for animals in any condition, when he needs antioxidants. In humans, green tea may used as an anti-cancer agent and to lower levels blood cholesterol. Some types of tumors may inhibit with using green tea, including cancer of the stomach, gall bladder, prostate, uterus, lungs, intestines, rectum and pancreas. Green Tea also Suppresses Cancer breast by binding to estrogen receptors, which makes it potentially useful in treating breast cancer in pets. The large-scale use of green tea in people makes it also applicable in many situations and in animals.
Although tea’s active substances are absorbed in all body tissues, green tea catechins are concentrated in the liver and gastrointestinal tract of dogs and laboratory animals, which means that the most strongly they will protect precisely these parts of the body.
What research has been done using tea at home? animals?
Studies show that a person who regularly consumes green tea, reduces the incidence of colon cancer, pancreas and stomach. The benefits of tea supplements in dogs and cats have not been proven in clinical studies, but their effectiveness is assumed based on studies in humans and laboratory animals. Tea supplements are rarely used in alone, they are usually part of complex therapy, including some other additives.
How safe is tea?
Black and green teas are foods, and, therefore, considered safe. Black tea contains several more caffeine than green. Both types of tea can cause insomnia, nervousness and other known symptoms of excess caffeine intake. Common contraindications for using tea are kidney failure, gastrointestinal ulcers, cardiovascular disease, insomnia, high blood pressure. Green tea may increase blood pressure immediately after use.
In general, supplements containing green or black tea are very are safe, and side effects can often be seen in people who consume a large number of cups of tea every day.
Where can I get tea supplements?
Many pets are provided with dry green tea, contained in their feed. When buying tea supplements, you need to consider that their quality may vary depending on the manufacturer. Consult your veterinarian, he owes you recommend the most suitable supplements for your animal.
