Green tea has been a part of the Oriental medicine and cuisine for centuries now, a concoction not entirely agreeable for the taste buds but a boon for your body. Yes, green tea is probably the healthiest beverage on the planet. There are three main varieties of green tea, black, green and oolong – all made from the same species of plant called Camellia Sinensis. The way the tea leaves are processed makes all the difference. Green tea, for instance, is made from unfermented leaves and does not have any additional sugar or calories. Discussed below are the top 15 benefits of green tea and reasons why you should include it in your everyday life:
Burns Fat, Fights Obesity
Drinking green tea on a daily basis also helps burn fat and fight obesity. You do not even have to hit the gym or indulge in those aggressive and exhausting workout sessions, just a steaming cup of green tea is enough to get a toned sexy body. The high levels of catechins, the beverage works wonders in burning fat, maintaining cholesterol levels and lowering the blood sugar levels of the body. For faster results, you can try consuming green tea extracts that are more effective than actually drinking the tea.
Keeps You Fresh and Active
Green tea is the best beverage for you if you want to lose some weight and stay active. Rich in antioxidants and minerals, green tea works wonders in energizing your body and boosting your stamina. The beverage is especially popular among fitness freaks as a regular pre-workout drink. The caffeine content in the drink immediately enhances your energy levels and endurance capacity while the minerals help prevent fatigue and boosts your exercising capacity by almost 24%.
Prevents the Risk of Cognitive Decline
Drinking green tea every day also protects your brain cells and enhances its ability considerably. People who consume green tea on a regular basis are at a lesser risk of catching neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or memory problems such as Alzheimer’s. The antioxidants and catechins in the beverage have a positive effect on the neurons and hence prevents the risk of cognitive, neurological decline of the brain.
Maintains Cardiovascular Health
Green tea is also known for monitoring the cholesterol levels of the body thereby reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Drinking green tea on a regular basis keeps the LDL cholesterol (that is harmful to the body) in check without compromising on the good cholesterol or the HDL levels. Studies have shown that green tea drinkers have a comparatively healthier cardiovascular system than ones who do not. As green tea is calorie free, it helps in a steady supply of blood and prevents lump formation.
Monitors the Blood Sugar Levels
People who have diabetes often have a problem in breaking down the sugar into energy. Drinking green tea helps enhance your metabolism and is pretty active in monitoring the type II diabetes, a condition where the body loses its sensitivity to insulin. The polyphenols control the glucose levels in the body and increase the flow of insulin (for a robust cardiovascular system) while the caffeine content boosts the metabolic rate. Moreover, as green tea is sugar-free, it also keeps your blood sugar levels in check.
Enhances Stamina and Muscle Power
Other than boosting your brain power and longevity, green tea also works towards increasing your stamina and muscle power as well. The beverage is an excellent pre-workout drink option for people who want to improve their endurance capacity and have faster reflexes. The caffeine content in the green tea keeps you awake and alert and also mobilizes the fatty acids in fat tissues. Moreover, the catechins in green tea also have a positive impact on your vision and minimize the chances of cataracts and other eye infections.
Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Recent studies have proven how green tea has many cancer-fighting elements that can reduce the risk of cancers in the colon, liver, breast, bladder, stomach, prostate and pancreas. The antioxidants in the beverage efficiently fight the cancer cells and flush out the toxins from the body. It even prevents liver diseases, oral cancer and cyst formation in the ovaries and gut. Green tea drinkers also have a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer. Adding citrus juices to your green tea further enhances its ability to boost your immunity and power.
Improve Dental Health
Green tea is great for your teeth; it helps curb bad breath, cavities and also reduces the risk of oral cancer. The anti-bacterial properties of the beverage fight the plague accumulation and microorganisms that cause damage to your teeth. Also, green tea is perfect for people suffering from bleeding gums as it reduces swelling. These anti-inflammatory features of green tea make it a much better alternative to chewing gum and mint. You can even apply green tea powder or paste on your teeth for enhancing the dental hygiene of your teeth.
Boosts Immunity
Green tea is rich in antioxidants such as EGCG that are known for boosting the immune system of the body. Known for their anti-bacterial properties, drinking green tea with lemon also fights the viral infections. Green tea also plays a vital role in controlling the many autoimmune diseases such as common allergies and a severe case of multiple sclerosis (or MS). Consuming 5 small cups of green tea every day also protects your body from common cold, flu, and other communicable infections.
Maintains Bone Mineral Density
Scientific studies prove how green tea also strengthens your bones and muscles by maintaining the bone mineral density. It also promotes alkaline formation in the body thereby preventing the leaching of minerals from the bones to reduce blood acidity levels and maintains the PH standards in the blood. Green tea also reduces the risk of Osteoporosis and maintains the calcium levels of the bone. Research has also proved how drinking green tea minimizes the risk of fractures and bone injury.
Keeps you Hydrated
Tea, unlike coffee, does not dehydrate the body and green tea strives towards maintaining the water levels in your system. Contrary to popular belief, caffeine is diluted just like water. Adding equal amounts of water and green tea extracts in the beverage keep the moisture levels intact in your body. The moisture content in the tea also promotes better blood flow and faster disposal of toxins. This is the reason why green tea is said to be a refreshing drink that instantly energizes the body.
Glowing, Youthful Skin
Green tea can also help you look beautiful and lovely. It oxidizes your skin, cleanses the blood and keeps your skin glowing. Drinking green tea on a regular basis also reduces wrinkles and fine lines leaving your face toned and youthful. Consuming green tea also reduces swelling around the jaws and chin highlighting the contours of your face correctly. Moreover, green tea is even known for reversing the effects of excessive tanning and relieves psoriasis. It helps fight the redness and skin irritation. Green tea extracts are often a common ingredient in most cosmetic and herbal beauty products as well.
Fights Depression, Anxiety and Stress
With the ever increasing stress levels and work pressure, psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia have become pretty common among people nowadays. Green tea is replete with I-Theatine, an amino acid that is known for strengthening the nervous system of the body. It even has many anti-anxiety effects that increase the levels of dopamine and GABA acids. Some studies have also shown how green tea has high levels of polyphenols, a chemical that fights depression and other mental illnesses.
Prevents the Risk of Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes painful inflammation in the joints. Green tea with their anti-oxidant properties is known to suppress inflammation and discomfort in the joints. Arthritis catches you off guard and can be a very persistent disease if left unchecked for long. Therefore green tea helps hold off the body pain and staves off swelling considerably. Drinking green tea also strengthens the bones and improves immunity leaving you revitalized and active to face the day headlong.
Lower the Blood Pressure
Owing to the stressful lifestyle and jam-packed schedules, high blood pressure is a common problem among people today. Often people are not even aware that they have hypertension until they suffer from symptoms such as severe headaches, insomnia, and restlessness. Green tea is rich in antioxidants that flush out the harmful toxins from the body. Drinking 3-4 cups of green tea a day keeps your blood pressure in check. It keeps your body hydrated and enhances the blood flow in the body.
The bottom line
Replete with so many beneficial antioxidants and chemicals, green tea serves multiple purposes. Starting your day with a cup of green tea also keeps you fresh and active throughout the day. It enhances the overall physical, mental and psychological well-being of the body and should, therefore, be included in your daily routine ASAP.
