Green Tea And Its Benefits

Green TeaThe Healthiest Beverage On The Planet!

Have you ever had the chance to try green tea before? It is said to be one of the healthiest beverages in the world and happens to be one of the tastiest too! It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. It can help improve your skin, brain function and even possibly lower the risk of cancer. In this article, we’ll go over several reasons why this beverage has its great health benefits and where you can get your hands on your own supply!

Green Tea is extracted from the Camellia sinensis plant. It is often prepared as a beverage, which has its own benefits or it can be extracted from the leaves to use as medicine. The leaves are not fermented, but they are steamed, which during this process is able to maintain important molecules called polyphenols, which seem to be responsible for many of the benefits. Polyphenols might be able to prevent inflammation and swelling, protect cartilage between the bones, and lessen joint degeneration. It’s a fact that it also contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may improve the function of brain messengers that are important in Parkinson’s disease.

What Are The Benefits Of Green Tea?

There are several benefits to consuming green tea, no matter how you take it. However, we decided to go over some benefits that you probably would have never guessed when taking this beverage.

  1. Contains Bioactive Compounds That Improve Health.
    • As previously mentioned, this compound contains polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants. The substances work to reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. ECGC is a very important compound that has been studied to treat various diseases and may be one of the main reasons green tea has such powerful medicinal properties.
  2. These Compounds Can Improve Brain Function.
    • There is a key active ingredient in green tea called caffeine, which acts as a stimulant. It doesn’t contain nearly as much as coffee, but enough to produce a response without causing the “jittery” effects associated with too much caffeine. It also happens to contain an amino acid, L-Theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
  3. It Increases Fat Burning & Improves Physical Performance.
    • It has been closely studied to help increase fat burning by increasing your metabolic rate. Other studies have also shown that fat oxidation was increased by 17% indicating that green tea may selectively increase the burning of fat.
  4. May Lower Risk Of Various Cancers.
    • It carries an excellent source of powerful antioxidants to help reduce certain cancers. For example, Breast Cancer. An observational analysis found that women who drank green tea had 22% lower risk of developing breast cancer. Men who consumed this beverage had a 48% lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
  5. Protects Brain From Old Age.
    • Various studies have shown that catechin compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models, potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
  6. Improves Dental Health & Lowers Risk Of Infection.
    • Studies have shown that they can kill bacteria and inhibit viruses like the influenza virus, potentially lowering your risk of infections.
  7. Lowers Risk Of Type II Diabetes.
    • Green tea has been proven to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. One study found that those who drank the green tea had 42% lower risk of developing Type II diabetes.
  8. Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease.
    • This dramatically increases the antioxidant capability of the blood, which helps to protect LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway toward heart disease.
  9. Helps To Lose Weight & Lower Risk Of Becoming Obese.
    • More studies have been conducted to show that green tea leads to decreases in body fat, especially in the abdominal area..
  10. Helps You Live Longer.
    • When you drink green tea you are also decreasing your chances of cardiovascular disease and cancer. A study conducted on Japanese individuals aged 65-84 years found that those who drank the most green tea were 76% less likely to die during the 6 year study period.