Although research on this subject is scarce, current evidence confirms green tea helps lower estrogen or contributes to improving hormonal balance. You see, green tea intake is associated with decreased estrone and estradiol levels. Both estrone and estradiol are forms of estrogen hormone.
Findings suggest that intake of green tea may modify estrogen metabolism or conjugation and in this way may influence breast cancer risk.
As for the 16-hydroxylated estrogen pathway, both estradiol and estrone markers were 40% lower among those women who drank green tea at least one time daily compared to those women who drank less than one cup of green tea a week. Levels of caffeine consumption did not change these dynamics among the women.
Collectively, phytoestrogens induced estrogen and progesterone receptors expression via a prolonged activation. Prolonged Black tea and D. candidum treatments increase the expression of the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PGR).
According to recent clinical research, green tea has a regulating effect on testosterone levels, either raising the hormone if levels are low or assisting the body in reducing production, or binding up extra testosterone if levels are too high.
1. Red wine. Consuming phytoestrogen-rich foods and drinks like red wine in moderation (up to 5 ounces/148 milliliters a day for women of all ages) has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.
Studies have indicated that polyphenols found in matcha can help bring down estrogen levels as well as boost progesterone levels.
Interestingly, many studies have affirmed the dynamic effects of green tea in regulating levels of these critical hormones. The antioxidant polyphenols in matcha are reported to elevate FSH and are suggested to promote or lower testosterone accordingly [7-8].
Meanwhile, there's evidence that drinking green tea might help to increase insulin sensitivity and balance the levels of this hormone in our bodies. Green tea may also support weight loss, which can reduce our risk of developing hormone imbalances.
Caffeine and Estrogen: A Complex Relationship
In fact, if you're trying to balance your hormones, caffeine may be a no-go. Research shows that it can increase estrogen levels. While caffeine is known to give you a quick energy boost, it can also disrupt your hormones, particularly estrogen levels.
People with heart problems or high blood pressure, kidney problems, liver problems, stomach ulcers, and psychological disorders, particularly anxiety, should not take green tea. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid green tea.
“Drinking caffeine can increase estrogen levels in women, sometimes leading to an estrogen dominant state,” says Odelia Lewis, MD, a medical contributor to ABC News Medical Unit. “Estrogen dominance is associated with premenstrual syndrome, heavy periods, fibrocystic breasts, and even certain breast cancers.
Green tea is a potent anti-inflammatory: It protects Leydig cells in the testes from damage caused by inflammation. Testosterone is made in the Leydig cells, which are easily injured by the inflammatory process. If Leydig cells fail, then testosterone production drops.
Serum FSH increased to a small extent, though not significantly. In the meantime, serum progesterone showed a significant increase in groups receiving green tea compared to the control group (p<0.001).
Estrogen dominance may be the result of overproduction of estrogen by the body, changes in estrogen metabolism and excretion, or an imbalance in the estrogen to progesterone ratio.
A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study involving postmenopausal, overweight, and obese women who took 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily for a year found that those whose vitamin D blood levels increased the most had the greatest reductions in blood estrogens, which are a known risk factor for breast cancer.
Medications used as estrogen blockers include: Aromatase inhibitors (AI): This medication can increase testosterone, along with other hormones, by inhibiting the ability of androgens to be converted to estradiol in the body. This decreases the overall level of estrogen in the body.
As shown in Table 3, among premenopausal women in luteal phase, intake of green tea was associated with significantly lower urinary concentrations of total estrogens and estrogen metabolites (P trend = 0.01).
Our results demonstrated that the beneficial effects of green tea polyphenol are associated with its antiandrogenic action.