The most prominent active ingredient in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
EGCG can help reduce oxidative stress, improve fat metabolism and reduce fat accumulation in the liver, especially in people with fatty liver related to metabolic disorders (MASLD). However, the way to drink it is also very important.
People over 50 should drink green tea about 30–60 minutes after meals or after a light meal instead of drinking it empty-bellied.
Green tea still contains caffeine, so it should not be abused, especially in older people with high blood pressure, insomnia or arrhythmia.
Many nutritionists recommend that adults should only drink about 2-3 cups of green tea per day, combined with a balanced diet instead of completely relying on this drink to protect the liver.
Although green tea contributes to hydration, caffeine can be mildly diuretic in some sensitive people. Therefore, people over 50 years old still need to maintain their daily water needs, while green tea should only be part of the diet.
In addition, tea should be brewed moderately, avoiding being too thick because high levels of caffeine and tannin can cause stomach aches or affect sleep if drunk in the evening.
Green tea can help reduce fat in the liver, improve liver enzymes and reduce inflammation thanks to polyphenol compounds.
Experts recommend that people over 50 years old who want to protect their liver should simultaneously maintain a reasonable weight, limit alcoholic beverages, reduce high-sugar and saturated fat foods, and increase green vegetables, fruits, whole grains and exercise at least 150 minutes per week.
In general, green tea is a drink that can bring benefits to liver health thanks to its abundant antioxidant content.
For people over 50 years old, the appropriate drinking method is to use diluted or moderate green tea after meals, maintain 2-3 cups per day, avoid drinking on an empty stomach and do not abuse concentrated extract products.
When combined with a scientific diet and healthy lifestyle, green tea can become part of a long-term strategy to protect the liver and metabolic health.
