Green tea could lower bad cholesterol

Green tea may be effective in reducing 'bad cholesterol', a study has found.

Green tea contains antioxidant compounds called catechins, which many studies have tested for their effect on cholesterol even though the studies have been small and had conflicting results.

For the new study researchers at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, pooled the results of these clinical trials, involving a total of 1,415 adults.

Participants in the trials consumed green tea beverages, capsules, or placebos daily. Benefits were found among people who had high cholesterol levels at the beginning of the study.

However, the researchers still sound a word of warning.

"If someone is already taking medication for their cholesterol, they should stick with it and not try to trade it for green tea, either capsules or the beverage," CBS news quoted study author Dr. Olivia Phung as saying.

According to the study, the use of herbal supplements like green tea is only one of the strategies to lower cholesterol, along with medication and lifestyle changes.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.