Benefits Of Green Tea : A Must Try Magical Drink
Do you want to lose weight? Do you want your health to stay in top shape always?
Then green tea can be your savior. The benefits of green tea are too many to count. The perks of this magical drink are such that you will never need to see a doctor in your life ever again!
For centuries, green tea has been celebrated as more than just a beverage; it is a revered elixir with a plethora of health benefits. Originating from China, this ancient brew has made its way into the daily routines of millions around the globe, becoming a staple in many cultures.
Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and other essential nutrients, green tea offers a wide array of advantages for both body and mind.
Benefits of Green Tea to Stay Fit and Fine
1. Helps in Weight Loss
The benefits of green tea for weight loss have been proven in various studies. Oxidation of fat is intensified by the poly-phenol that is found in green tea.
According to a study by NCBI the metabolism of our body increases and food is converted to calories at a faster rate.
Green tea is rich in catechins and can be really beneficial in your weight loss. The area which green tea targets is abdominal fat. So if you want to fit into a particular jean or dress for an event that is at least 12 weeks away, green tea can help you lose that unwanted body weight around your waist.
2. Lowers the Risk of Various Types of Cancer
The most dreaded word, cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death. It is widely known that oxidative damage results in the development of cancer and antioxidants can provide a protective effect.
Moreover, green tea is an great source of powerful antioxidants, thus it makes complete sense that it has the ability to reduce your risk of cancer.
An observational study has found that women who drink green tea has 22% lower risk of developing breast cancer. Another study has found that men, who drink green tea has 48% lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
A study of Chinese women confirmed that green tea drinkers has 57% lower risk of colorectal cancer. It may be a really bad idea to put milk in your tea, as it can reduce its antioxidant value.
3. Reduces the Chances of Cardiovascular Diseases
Working along the lining of the blood vessels, green tea makes them strong enough to tolerate blood pressure changes and relaxes them.
It also prevents and protects clot formation which is the leading cause of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases. It dramatically increases the antioxidant capability of your blood, which protects the LDL cholesterol particles from being oxidized.
4. Controls Cholesterol
One more of the many benefits of green tea is control of cholesterol. The bad cholesterol is decreased by consumption of green tea. It also helps in enhancing the ratio of good and bad cholesterol.
5. Helps in Making Your Teeth Healthy
Catechins in green tea can kill bacteria and inhibit viruses such as influenza virus, potentially lowering your risk of catching infections. Streptococcus mutants is a harmful bacteria in your mouth, which can cause plaque formation and is a leading contributor to tooth decay and cavities.
It is proved that catechins in green tea can inhibit the growth of mutans. Its consumption is associated with good dental health and a lower risk of caries. One of the many benefits of green tea is for people who feel they suffer from bad breath, it is your solution.
6. Delays Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
If the studies have to be believed, green tea may also protect your brain in old age. Alzheimer’s is the most common neurodegenerative disease in humans, which is a leading cause of dementia.
Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, which results in the death of dopamine producing neurons in the brain. But the good news is that there are evidence that show – Catechin compounds in green tea can have protective effects on neurons in animal models and test tubes, in lowering the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
7. Cures Depression
An amino acid called Theanine found in green tea has a tranquilizing and a very relaxing effect on the human body. Thus, the benefits of drinking tea daily also include keeping depression at bay.
8. Takes Good Care of Your Skin
Looking at that wrinkle under your eyes, how you wish you could get rid it of it! Well, green tea will take care of it. Signs of aging can be delayed by consumption of green tea due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Damage from the UV rays of the sun can also be prevented.
9. Green Tea is More Than Just a Green Liquid
The bio-active compounds of the tea leaves contain large amounts of important nutrients. Green tea is loaded with polyphenols like catechins and flavonoids, which function as powerful antioxidants.
They reduce the formation of free radicals in your body, protecting cells and molecules from any damage. The catechins present in green tea are very efficient in treating every disease ranging from a flu to cancer because of the presence of anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents.
One of the most powerful compounds in this potent tea is the antioxidant – Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which is said can treat various diseases. Always choose a higher quality brand of green tea, as lower quality brands can contain high levels of fluoride.
10. Decreases the Chances of Diabetes
If you drink green tea daily, it will reduce the chances of suffering from diabetes. Increase in insulin and the resulting storage of fat can be prevented by green tea. The reason for this is that glucose level is regulated by green tea, which further slows down the rise of blood sugar.
Studies show that it can improve reduce blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
11. Improves Eyesight
Another one of the benefits of green tea is improvement in eyesight! It is Catechins to the rescue again! They have the ability to be absorbed into eye tissues. This is crucial in the prevention of cataract-induced blindness.
All these benefits of green tea give us enough reasons to conclude that a cup of green tea a day might actually keep the doctor away!
12. Improves Brain Function to Make You Smarter
Green tea can also make you smarter, yes you read it right. I know it’s bit weird but its true. The active ingredient of the tea is caffeine, which is a known stimulant. Caffeine blocks Adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
This actually increases the firing of neurons in the brain and concentration of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine. Caffeine also leads to improvement in various aspects of brain function, like improved memory, mood, vigilance, and reaction time.
Studies have shown that caffeine and L-theanine (also present in green tea) can have synergistic effects. Their combination is great in improving brain function.
Because of L-theanine and the small dose of caffeine, this incredible tea can give you a milder and different kind of “buzz” than coffee.
Last but not the least..
To feel better, lose those love handles and lower your risk of various serious and not so serious diseases, then you must consider making green tea a regular and life long part of your healthy life. Because the benefits of green tea are many and you can’t afford to miss them. 😀
FAQs Related to The Benefits of Green Tea
What is the difference between green tea and black tea?
How many cups of green tea should I consume per day?
Is green tea safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?
Are there any side effects of over-consumption of green tea?
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Confusion
Some green tea is not green. Why is it so?
Japan produces the best green tea in the world. There are 3 or 4 harvests a year in Japan and the first two are considered the best.
Unfortunately, about 90% of the tea sold in the world is from China, which uses later harvested tea, which is of very low quality.
Also, air pollution and exposure to oxygen will make tea brown.
Basically you only get what you pay for. And in the case of low priced green tea, you may be getting things you don’t want.