Are Spearmint Tea or Green Tea Beneficial for PCOS?
Written by Emily Stevens, Nutrition and Dietetics Student
Reviewed by Rachel Hilts, PDt
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. Earlier this fall, we wrote a blog post about PCOS, including the signs, symptoms, and treatment options. You can read more about PCOS from that blog post, linked here.
One of the major diagnostic criteria for PCOS is hyperandrogenism, an excess of androgen hormones (think testosterone or DHEA) in the body that may result in acne or hirsutism (irregular hair growth). It is important to note that not all individuals with PCOS will have high androgen levels. However, if you are among those who do have high androgen levels and experience the side effects that come along with that, you may be looking for treatment options to get relief from these symptoms. Currently, there is no cure for PCOS, and management of the syndrome mainly focuses on treating symptoms.
While digging through treatment information online, it can be difficult to distinguish what information is evidence-based or has research to support the claims. Here, we will summarize what the current research says about two popular teas: spearmint and green tea – can they really treat PCOS symptoms?
Spearmint Tea
Spearmint tea has been suggested to have a significant anti-androgen effect for PCOS, particularly in women dealing with hirsutism (increased hair growth on face and body). In some preliminary research, women who consumed spearmint tea twice a day for one month had lower free and total testosterone levels, indicating that continued consumption could potentially improve irregular hair growth and other symptoms related to hyperandrogenism (1). Another study investigated the effects of spearmint tea on women with PCOS and found that regular consumption of spearmint tea two times per day decreased free testosterone and increased the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone (2).
The verdict on spearmint tea:
Spearmint tea has historically been used as a natural herbal therapy for many minor illnesses, such as gastrointestinal distress (3). Animal studies which showed the potential impact on hormone levels are what prompted these more recent human studies, and although this preliminary research on spearmint tea is promising, it is essential to note that long term trials have not occurred to this point. While spearmint tea is typically safe for consumption in moderate doses of 2-3 cups per day. Very high quantities over a long term may have potential risks, though this has not been well studied in a human population (3).
While spearmint tea will likely not resolve all of your PCOS symptoms, it is typically an easy add on. If you enjoy tea, including 2 cups of spearmint tea each day may provide some symptom relief. This is an area that could still benefit from more research.
Green tea
Green tea has also been discussed as a potential natural treatment for PCOS symptoms, especially its anti-inflammatory properties and potential to have an anti-androgen effect. Green tea has been thought of as a health food for many years, with its main health promoting effect being its high polyphenol content (4). Most studies looking at green tea and PCOS use a green tea extract capsule, rather than as a beverage. As a beverage, green tea doesn’t appear to have significant effects on PCOS symptoms directly (4,5). One study found that green tea capsules may slightly improve fasting insulin and free testosterone levels in women with PCOS (7), while others found no significant difference between those consuming green tea and the placebo group regarding menstrual regularity, testosterone, androstenedione, insulin, or glucose (4).
The verdict on green tea:
Green tea is a soothing and comforting warm drink for many, that is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants (4). Although research to this point has not indicated it to be an effective treatment for PCOS symptoms, if it brings you comfort or relief, it is safe to consume in moderation.
The bottom line:
Having a hot cup of tea can be a soothing and comforting experience for many, especially if your PCOS symptoms have you feeling unwell. At this point, herbal treatments for PCOS still need more research, and therefore are not typically recommended as the sole treatment for your PCOS. However, in moderation, both teas are safe for consumption and some may find mild symptom improvements.
We know that there is not one specific diet that can prevent or treat PCOS, which holds true for supplements and herbal treatments. The best recommendation is to eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet with healthy fats, fibre and to fuel your body with enough nutrients (6).
If you want to learn more about what foods and supplements may be helpful (or not) for managing your PCOS, check out my 12 week online program, PCOS Foundations, here.
References
1. Grant P. 2010. Spearmint Herbal Tea has Significant Anti-androgen Effects in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Phyother. Res. 2010. 24(2):186-188
2. Akdogan M, Tamer MN, Cure E, Cure MC, Koroglu BK, Delibas N. Effect of spearmint (Metha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women hirsutism. Phytother Res. 2007. 21(5):444-7
3. Donnelly R. Anti-Androgenic Effects of Spearmint Tea (Mentha Spicata). School of Physician Assistant Studies. 2017. 618.
4. Mombaini E, Jafarirad S, Husain D, Haghighizadeh MH, Padfar P. The Impact of Green Tea Supplementation on Anthropometric Indices and Inflammatory Cytokines in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Phytother. Res. 2017. 31:747-754
5. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J, Bensoussan A. Nutritional supplements and herbal medicines for women with polycystic ovary syndrome; a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017 Nov 25;17(1):500.
6. Dietitians of Canada. Eating Well with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). In: Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition [PEN]. 2019. [cited 2022 Jan 17] Available from: https://www.pennutrition.com/viewhandout.aspx?Portal=UbY=&id=JMfrWAU=&PreviewHandout=bA==
7. Tehrani, H. G., Allahdadian, M., Zarre, F., Ranjbar, H., & Allahdadian, F. (2017). Effect of green tea on metabolic and hormonal aspect of polycystic ovarian syndrome in overweight and obese women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome: A clinical trial. Journal of education and health promotion, 6, 36. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_67_15
