Guest Contribution by Adam Durnham
The road to recovery for substance and alcohol dependence is never easy. This is why it is important to choose healthy food and drinks to help with the process. Fortunately, there are several beverages that you can drink to help you detoxify your body from these harmful substances. One of them is the ancient beverage that is very helpful in cleansing our mind and body, the humble tea.
Tea has Helpful Natural Components: Tea is packed with numerous health benefits. It functions as a detoxifying agent that can greatly help people with alcoholism or those who are in the stage of withdrawing from alcohol use.
It detoxifies the body from the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. Most importantly, tea releases a neuroprotective action that shields the brain and the nervous system. Tea prevents cancer and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic features. It also lowers cholesterol and has anti-microbial properties.
Aside from those, here is a rundown of the detailed ways on how tea could help recovering addicts.
- Tea Improves the Body’s Defenses
When you include natural antioxidants in your diet, you are strengthening your body’s defenses. As a result, your body is protected from numerous toxins and disorders. In a research conducted by the Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, it was revealed that a single dose of green tea improves the level of the body’s antioxidant defenses.
It also showed improved levels of antioxidant enzymes and protected damages in the DNA. A seven-day intake of green tea showed a substantial increase in the antioxidant defenses of the body.
In another study, Skrzydlewska and others underline how green tea affects a particular antioxidant in alcoholism. When you take alcohol, it is then metabolized to form other compounds. This involves the formation of free radicals in the body.
When there is a surplus of free radicals, the antioxidant defenses are troubled and the cells are destroyed. Taking in natural antioxidants helps increase the antioxidant defense of the body.
- Tea Protects the Health of the Liver
One of the principal and vital organs of the body responsible for detoxification and metabolism is the liver. Alcohol consumption can disrupt functions of the liver. In a study conducted by Chen et. al., they discovered that the catechins shield the liver while decreasing the free radicals.
This antioxidant released in the body when consuming tea decreases the formation of oxygen and prevents fat from accumulating in the liver. In addition, the combination of epigallocatechin gallate with other agents like taurine and genistein helps in the prevention of liver fibrosis.
- Tea Protects the Brain from the Toxicity
Tea is proven to release a neuroprotective agent that protects and preserves the health of the brain. Interestingly, many studies proved that it could help in alleviating the withdrawal symptoms.
Catechin found in tea reduces the oxidative stress. It also protects the central nervous system from the damage caused by substances and alcohol. Tea also has amino acids that are crucial to the brain health. This amino acid is discovered to help in the restoring of cognitive functions and helping in cases of mental disorder.
Another study revealed that consuming tea, particularly green tea for five weeks daily could improve mental health. According to the research, it enhances the reward-learning of the brain. It also decreases the depressive symptoms that are common among healthy individuals. Reward learning is the term used to describe our behavior when we achieve positive results.
- Tea Helps in Alcohol-Induced Neuropathy
Alcohol consumption is linked with the advanced alcohol-induced neuropathy. It is a clinical term used to describe the burning sensation that triggers the development of increased pain sensitivity.
There are various factors linked to this condition. This includes disruption of the pain processing path, oxidative stress to nerves, thiamine deficiency, and the activation of the flight or fight system in our body.
Abstinence from alcohol and a healthy diet loaded with nutrients can help ease this pain. According to various researches, there is no definite treatment available for alcohol-induced neuropathy.
Interestingly, in a study published in European Journal of Pain, it was discovered that epigallocatechin gallate eases the pain caused by alcohol-induced neuropathy. In addition, it lessens the pain in the functional and biochemical level.
However, research suggests that there is still no definite and positive treatment available for alcohol-induced neuropathy. Additional insights into the mechanism
of action showed that EGCG decreases oxidative stress and inflammation, thus relieving the alcoholic from suffering from alcohol-induced neuropathy.
In Conclusion
If you or your loved one is suffering from alcohol, heroin, or other forms of substance abuse, you can visit Addiction Network for a list of programs crafted for you or your loved ones’ needs. If you call at 1-844-266-2194 you can be accommodated by one of their highly-trained counselors. They offer various services like alcohol recovery, heroin recovery programs, and rehabilitation treatment among others.
For anyone who has ever attended AA or NA meetings, you know that coffee is always served. What if coffee was replaced with tea? Everything you point out would be so helpful for those to consume as they begin to explore healthier alternatives in their lives. Also, the ritual of tea making can provide another comfort for recovering addicts. All in all, tea is an exceptional drink for those interested in health and wellness and especially for those beginning a clean and sober life.