Health Benefits of Green Tea

An ancient Chinese story tells that after a long day of wandering around the forest in search of edible grains and herbs, the divine farmer Shennong discovered tea. His fortunate encounter ended a long journey of trial and error. It all happened once when on a single day he tasted 72 poisonous herbs. He felt weak, slipped on the ground, grabbing some leaves of an unknown plant. Their healing powers brought him back to life. Or so the legend says.

Tea doesn’t actually cure poisonings. It has, however, many health benefits. And green tea in particular is fully-packed with immune-boosting properties.

Whether you are a green tea aficionado or you’re just learning about its benefits we have a lot to share with you.

What is Green Tea?

Green Tea is made from the leaves and buds of the Camellia sinensis shrub. Unlike black tea, green tea doesn’t undergo the full withering and oxidation processes. That’s the secret behind its key benefits.

Does green tea contain caffeine?

Green tea contains caffeine and a flavonoid (phytonutrient) called catechin- a type of antioxidant. Both of those ingredients are believed to be quite beneficial for human health. But let’s check out what the full list of benefits are.

Green Tea Benefits

1. Helps prevent cancer

Studies confirm that regular green tea intake can prevent the development of certain types of cancer. Green tea is not, however, a cure-all solution for the illness.

2. Fights bad breath

The antioxidant catechin, found in green tea, is the active ingredient that inhibits and kills “bad-breath” bacteria. The less of the bad bacteria - the fresher the breath.

3. Protects against cavities

Less “bad-breath” bacteria also leads to less plaque, which eventually results in a reduced cavity risk. Drink green tea regularly and you won’t have to dread going to the dentist.

4. Great for focus

A Japanese study has found that green tea can easily substitute for your morning cup of coffee. Green tea has the potential to energize you even if it has less caffeine content than coffee.

And if you’re wondering: How much caffeine is in green tea?

The answer is about 30-50 milligrams. Plenty to keep you focused and stimulated without the “jitters”.

5. Helps you relax

Caffeine combined with L-theanine (amino-acid found in green tea) boosts brain function and helps you relax. The added benefit of L-theanine is that it relaxes you without giving you the feeling of drowsiness and sedation.

6. Aids with anxiety

Research confirms that daily supplements of L-theanine help people with anxiety, giving them focus on their daily activities.

7. Beneficial for learning and memory

Green tea’s caffeine and L-theanine combo make it a great study aid. Besides, green tea contains high amounts of a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which boosts your memory and learning abilities.

8. Lowers the levels of cholesterol

Regular green tea drinking is also good for your cholesterol levels. A meta-analysis of clinical trials found that green tea significantly lowered LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

9. Decreases heart-disease risk

A study of 40,530 Japanese adults found that those who drank more than 5 cups of green tea a day faced a 26% lower risk of death from a heart attack or stroke. In terms of risk of death from all causes, the result was 16% lower compared to people who drank less than 1 cup of green tea a day.

10. Good for blood pressure

Green tea helps keep blood pressure low. Its benefits, however, are observed only in long-term tea consumption. Another reason to enjoy green tea regularly.

11. May help with weight loss

The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) catechin we mentioned helps boost metabolism. As a result, green tea can help you burn fat and regulate your weight more efficiently.

12. Improves brain health

A study from the National University of Singapore (NUS) discovered that regular tea drinkers have better-organized brain regions and that results in healthy cognitive function.

13. Lowers the risk of dementia

The same NUS study found that enjoying green tea daily is linked to a 50% decreased risk of dementia among older adults.

We’ve covered quite a few of the green tea benefits. It’s time we tell you about some of the best green tea brands you can find.

Bonus Tip

Before you enjoy the pure taste of a healthy cup of green tea, drop a slice of lemon in it. This trick helps you better absorb the tea’s healthy ingredients. Enjoy!

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