Green tea is one of the superfoods with countless health benefits, including weight loss! Here is a list of the top 11 benefits of green tea and why you should start taking it today!
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The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has reported that green tea has been used in China and Japan for centuries. Well, there is a reason that this healthy brew is one of the most consumed forms of tea in the world – it is as beneficial as tea can get!
With its origin going at least 5000 years back, green tea is going places with its countless health benefits and trendy packaging – our focus being the former part! So, we decided to do our side of the research in learning about the top benefits of green tea and all the reasons why drinking it should be a part of your routine.
What is Green Tea?
We all have heard about green tea and that it is healthy for humans; however, very few of us know about its origin and ingredients. So, let’s start with it – green tea has been confirmed as one of the healthiest beverages in the country.
Brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia Sinensis, a kind of bush, green tea contains a high amount of antioxidants and polyphenols, amongst other good ingredients.
Camellia Sinensis comes in two varieties – one that grows in China and the other in India. The Chinese bush is used as green and white tea, while the Indian plant is black and oolong tea.
Another great thing about Green Tea is that it is the least oxidized when processed, and thus, it is considered the most beneficial of its kind.
You might like to read: 9 Health Boosting Teas for Seniors
The right amount of green tea to drink per day
There is no definite amount of green tea to take in a day – at least there are no studies that help decide the right amount of green tea to drink daily. Thus, it depends on person-to-person, as in, how much they should have to rely on their health and capacity.
For example, people who drink one to three cups of green tea every day have a lower risk of stroke and heart disease than those who do not drink it at all.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should consume 10 cups a day to remain fit throughout your life. Green tea supports better functioning of your body, but it cannot miraculously keep you healthy without any complications for the rest of your life.
Is there caffeine in green tea?
The amount of caffeine present in green tea is directly related to the method of growth and processing, and it also depends on the way it is brewed. On average, an 8 oz cup of green tea has about 28 mg of caffeine.
We stop here to mention that it is recommended not to have green tea on an empty stomach since the presence of caffeine can make you nauseous or lead to stomach acids. It is, thus, best to have it with meals.
Top benefits of Green Tea
Green tea is known for its excellent benefits ranging from weight loss to reduced risk of cancer. It is no wonder it is used as a medicine in the eastern world, especially in China, Japan, and India.
Intriguing, isn’t it?
So, without any delay, here are some of the many benefits of drinking green tea regularly.
It is overflowing with antioxidants, which may lower cancer risk and more.
Green tea is an excellent way for finding healthy amounts of antioxidants, which decrease the risk of uncontrollable cell growth – this leads to cancer, which is one of the top causes of death globally. Studies have shown that green tea helps beat the causes of cancer.
Chronic inflammation is the cause of many serious health problems, including a variety of cancers (breast, prostate, colorectal, etc.).
However, green tea protects the body from oxidative damage, which reduces inflammation and, thus, lessens the possibility of cancer. Antioxidants protect the cell from damage due to aging and, therefore, keep you young as well.
It helps in tremendous yet healthy weight loss.
While one cannot magically lose extra pounds and burn unwanted fat, green tea boosts the body’s metabolic rate. Studies have shown that drinking green tea significantly helps lose body fat, especially in the abdominal area.
While other studies show that green tea does not significantly influence weight loss in the body, it is definitely better to have 2-3 cups of green tea than a glass of soda every day! One thing is assured that green tea contributes to weight loss and fat burning, even if it is only a bit.
It relaxes you.
A natural chemical known as theanine is found in green tea, which has a calming effect on the body. We think that this is the most significant benefit of having green tea regularly – it relaxes and makes you comfortable like nothing else.
Simply the thought of taking a break and drinking your tea gives a sense of comfort to the mind and body. Thus, green tea has become a drink to calm oneself without relying on medicines or tonics.
It keeps your skin healthy and glowing.
It has impressive anti-inflammatory effects on the body. A study has shown that green tea has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects on human skin due to the presence of epigallocatechin – 3 – gallate (ECGC).
Another 2019 study observed that solutions that included green tea extracts showed exceptional anti-inflammatory characteristics on its topical application. The skin glows and looks healthier than ever before. It was also noticed that the skin’s microcirculation improved in the affected areas.
It may also contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Several studies and research prove that cardiovascular disease, including strokes and heart attacks, can be prevented by regular intake of green tea.
This benefit is due to the fact that green tea can increase the antioxidant capacity of blood and thus, shields or protects the LDL particles from oxidation.
This helps keep the heart healthy and free from any diseases. Therefore, green tea contributes to improving and maintaining the body’s cholesterol levels. With so many benefits on the list, green tea has also lowered the risk of dying from heart diseases by 31 percent.
In this famous study done in 2006, regular drinkers of green tea over a period of 11 years were observed for various diseases. The study concluded that the participants showed a reduced mortality risk due to heart diseases.
Several studies and trials also supported the original studies. Further, they added that the presence of polyphenols in green tea might also help in reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, reducing weight, and more.
It lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Some studies suggest that people who drink green tea regularly have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Even though the research and conclusions drawn through many studies remain inconsistent, experts reckon that polyphenols in green tea may reduce the risk of the same. This study done in 2017 showed similar results.
One of the most famous studies on this topic concluded that green tea consumption and decreased fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels might share some connection.
Some studies have also shown that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity and even reduce blood sugar levels in the body. People who drink Green Tea regularly have a 42% lower risk of diabetes. We can be assured that green tea really might have to do something positive with type 2 diabetes with all this data.
It can also help you live a longer life.
Now that we know that five cups of green tea every day help reduce the risk of heart diseases, inflammation, cancer, and possibly type 2 diabetes, we can be assured that its consumption helps keep our bodies alive for more years than we expect.
In a Japanese study done on more than 40,000 adults in 11 years, it was observed that those who drank five cups of green tea every day had significantly lower chances of dying during the time of the study.
It was recorded that the risk of heart disease was 31% lower in women and 22% lower in men. It was also observed that the risk of stroke was 42% lower in women and 35% lower in men, death due to other causes was 23% lower in women and 12% lower in men.
Now, you can understand that one significant benefit of drinking the miraculous green tea daily means a long and happy, and healthy life for you and your loved ones.
It can significantly help in the protection of the brain from damage.
Several studies have shown that ingredients of green tea improve the functioning of one’s brain and protect it from long-term damage. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, etc., are known to damage the neurons in the brain.
Regular consumption of green tea adds a protective layer on these neurons and thus, delays or completely avoids the possibility of having dementia in the future. One can undoubtedly try having a few cups of green tea to keep their brain functioning and healthy.
It helps in improving oral health.
Nobody likes bad breath, and thank God the catechins in green tea are the natural solution. If we were to believe the studies, the catechins could inhibit or significantly slow down the growth of bacteria that negatively affect our oral health and give rise to problems like plaque, cavities, and tooth decay.
It has also been seen that catechins suppress the growth of Streptococcus Mutans. These most common bacteria reside in the mouth and contribute to cavities and plaque formation.
Even though there aren’t many studies to prove the role of green tea in removing bad breath and improving oral health, we can be assured that the function of catechins present in green tea is to pull the formation of plaque thus, keeping the teeth healthy.
So, go ahead, and drink those cups of green tea to avoid spending thousands of bucks on a dentist appointment. Trust us when we say that you will thank us later!
You might like to read: Do Soda Tea and Coffee Make Teeth and Bones Brittle?
It may help in keeping your bones strong and reduce arthritis problems.
As we age, we lose mobility in our bones and joints, which duly results from our bodies’ inflammation and lack of movement.
A review published in Arthritis Research and Therapy (2011) showed that mice with osteoarthritis showed some anti-inflammatory benefit through green tea, which was not the case with mice that drank plain water.
While the experts believe that more human trials are needed to give a definite conclusion to these studies, we think that there is nothing wrong with having two-three cups of green tea every day, even to keep a possibility of having strong bones for a long time.
It has high nutritional value.
Last but not least, green tea is a whole nutritional package. From caffeine to amino acids, fluoride, EGCG, catechins, theanine, etc., there is no shortage of healthy ingredients in your cup of green tea.
The fact that the growing and processing of the tea doesn’t kill the complete nutrients of these ingredients is enough to understand its nutritional value.
A little tip when purchasing a box of green tea is to check if the package says “100 percent green tea” or ”pure green tea leaves.” You will get the best quality green tea with high nutrients if you check the same.
Wrap Up
The list of benefits that come from the regular consumption of green tea is inexhaustible, it seems. There are still many benefits of drinking green tea every day, including reduced anxiety and depression, improved memory, better mood, good digestion, etc.
It would help if you did your own research to learn more, and soon, you will convince yourself to have at least one cup of green tea every day, and once that’s done, you will see significant changes in your body and the way you feel. So, go ahead and start your green tea ritual from today itself.
We hope we were able to convince you to start using green tea in your daily schedule. If you have seen the benefits of green tea on your body, or are a skeptic who doesn’t believe in these therapies, you are welcome to comment below in both cases!
And please make sure to suggest this article to others as a compendium of all information related to green tea and its benefits. Your shares and likes on social media for this article will help the message about green tea reach far and wide!
