Health Benefits of Green Tea – Here’s All You Need To Know

Just like everything green represents life and growth, green tea also stands for good health. Stocking your beverage compartment with green tea is a sure way of attaining good health. Many do not know, but adequate intake of green tea protects your body from all kinds of diseases and infections. You’re about to find out.

From detoxification to nourishment, drinking green tea has numerous benefits and these benefits have been proven. Research shows that the beverage has the power to rid the body of excess body fat as well as the ability to lower the risk of cancer and many other incredible benefits.

Now recent studies have shown that the constant consumption of this beverage can actually reduce body fat and boost metabolism. Below are a few reasons to swap other drinks for this beverage.

Green Tea

Green Tea has its origins traced to China and entire East Asia. It is tea made from Camellia sinensis (also known as tea plant) leaves which have not been processed like the normal black tea. This Camelia Sinensis which contains phytochemicals like polyphenols and caffeine are mostly harvested for the production of tea.

The polyphenols found in green tea leaves have compounds capable of boosting health. Studies on the leaves showed that they contain high quantity of flavonoids and catechins which is normally found in foods said to promote health.

Today, green tea is manufactured not only in Asia but in other tropical regions of the world. Many other countries in the Asian continent today produce green tea commercially. While there is a perceived kind of green tea leaves, there are a variety of species which differ according to climatic conditions, harvesting and processing methods, and so on.

Kills Bacteria And Lowers Risk Of Infections

Studies have shown that green has catechins that help kill bacteria and inhibit viruses like influenza. They can lower the risks of infection and can also reduce bad breaths for those with dental problems.

Lowers Risk Of Cancer

Cancer is known to be one of the world’s leading causes of death, this is caused by an uncontrolled growth of cells and they range from breast cancer to prostate cancer among others. Green tea is known to contain antioxidants capable of reducing risks of cancer.

Compounds In Green Tea Can Improve Brain Function

Green tea has a bit of caffeine that isn’t as much as that found in coffee. It has enough to produce a response without causing the “jumpy” effects of too much caffeine.

However green tea contains more than just caffeine, it has amino acids L-theanine which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Green tea according to studies helps to reduce the formation of plaques linked to Alzheimer’s disease (memory loss). It increases the ability working synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.

Lowers Type II Diabetes

Type II diabetes involves having elevated blood sugar levels in the context of insulin resistance. Multiple studies have shown that green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. A study in Japan found out that individuals who drank more green tea had a 42% lower risk of developing type II diabetes.

Improves Physical Well-being And Lower Risk Of Obesity

Studies have shown that green tea has the tendency to increase fat burning and increase the metabolism rate in the body. Another study showed that fat oxidation was increased by 17%, indicating that green tea may selectively increase the burning of fat.

It helps reduce body fat, especially in the abdominal area. A particular study had a controlled practical on 240 men and women for a period of 12 weeks, in this study the people taking green tea had a significant decrease in body fat percentage, body weight, waist circumference and abdominal fat. Green tea reduces cholesterol in the body because it contains catechins which lower cholesterol as well as regularizes blood pressure.

Ideal To Be Consumed Anywhere, Anytime

Green tea can be consumed between meals. Since it has the potential to absorb iron, drinking it between meals will ensure it’s not sucking up any health benefits from other foods you are consuming.

Some studies made on green tea don’t agree totally with the idea that it reduces fat or increases metabolism rate. But from the little I have read and practised, I can testify of the wonders gotten from this simple yet powerful beverage.