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A Gut Doctor's Go-To Gut-Friendly Drink (No, Not Water)
Now that the nights are longer and the sun is beginning to shine (hooray!), thoughts of warm comfort foods will soon be replaced with thirst-quenching drinks and snacks. While water is deemed one of the best ways to prevent dehydration and support overall health, it's not the only way.
When he's in the mood for something a bit more exciting than water, integrative gastroenterologist and mbg Collective member Marvin Singh, M.D., says organic jasmine green tea is one of his favorite gut-friendly beverages. Whether iced or hot, sipping on jasmine green tea is doing more good for your body than you might realize.
Benefits of jasmine green tea.
The catechins in green tea, most notably epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), provide anti-inflammatory benefits1. They have also been shown to absorb into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract effectively, where those same inflammation-modulating properties can help manage or reduce the risk of GI disorders2.
Along with antioxidants, the phytochemicals in green tea help feed Akkermansia muciniphila, a microbe that lines the intestinal walls.
While all green tea varieties support gut health, Singh says he particularly likes jasmine green tea because of the relaxing floral smell. Given what science has discovered about the gut-brain connection3, the calming properties of the tea may soothe not only the stomach but also the mind.
In fact, research backs it up: Studies have shown that green tea can improve mood and cognitive functioning4. More specifically, drinking just half a cup of green tea lowers depression and dementia risks5.
Bottom line.
"Green tea is a great anti-inflammatory, gut-microbiome-friendly thing to include in your regular routine," Singh says. To make it even more soothing and flavorful, opt for a cup of jasmine green tea instead. Due to the gut-brain connection, many of the nutrients that make the beverage good for the gut also make it good for the brain. Plus, tea can count toward your daily water intake.