Green tea is a type of tea made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to the Middle East. The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression for over 4000 years.
Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. It has been shown to positively affect many systems in the body and to inhibit the progression of some diseases. It contains among the highest concentrations of minerals and antioxidants, which have proven to benefit the body. A lot of people nowadays have heard that green tea benefits the overall health, but not a lot know why exactly. But after you've learned all the health benefits of green tea, you will get completely different feeling every time you drink it. Here are a few:
- Helps in Preventing Cancer
One of the major health benefits of green tea is that it can prevent cancer. Green tea is a very powerful antioxidant that has anticancer effects. Polyphenols present in green tea, effectively protects the cells of your body and helps you get rids of malignant cells. It helps in preventing the cancers of gastrointestinal tract like stomach cancer, colon cancer and small intestine cancer. It also helps prevent lung and breast cancers.
- Helps in losing weight
A recent study by Swiss scientists concluded that drinking green tea can raise the body's metabolic rate by as much as 4%. While more research is needed in this area, nutritionists indicate that drinking tea can help people lose weight because it's calorie free and a good source of fluids.
- Reduces the risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
The antioxidants in green tea decrease the risk of blood clots, blood pressure, blood sugar and bad cholesterol and so provide protection against cardiovascular diseases. The EGCG (epigallocatechin-gallate) in green tea is believed to slow the build-up of artery-clogging plaque. Green tea is also believed to improve the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides and fibrinogen.
- Reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Green tea is rich in polysaccharides and polyphenols. These antioxidants present in green tea when consumed, lowers your blood pressure and sugar level thereby preventing the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Reduces Skin Problems
Green tea is one of the natural solutions that help you to get rid of your skin wrinkles and blemishes. It has proven to be a good solution for skin acne, psoriasis, rosacea and warts.
- Helps in Dental Care
Green tea contains fluoride which is good for teeth. It suppresses the process of plaque formation and destroys the bacteria that form plaque. It also destroys bacteria that cause bad breath.
- Increases Body Immunity
The flavonoids and polyphenols present in green tea are said to increase your body immunity to remarkable levels. The antioxidants of green tea have the capacity to suppress the receptors that cause allergies within your system. The antiviral and anti bacterial properties of green tea prevent you from getting into contagious flu, cold and common cough.
- Stress buster
Catechin, present in green tea removes sleepiness and works as a stress buster. Green tea with the caffeine content is a good stimulant for short time energy. Green tea contains an amino acid, Theanine, which helps in the production and release of a chemical called Dopamine. Dopamine and Theanine itself, both stimulate a feeling of well being in the body.
Green tea is natural, so you can expect very few side effects or maybe none at all when drinking it regularly. However, Drinking too much of green tea may reduce its health benefits. Also, the best way to preserve all the disease-fighting nutrition is to drink your tea freshly brewed. All the decaffeinated, ready-to-drink bottled or instant teas will give you very little of natural health compounds.
