Green tea is one of the products of Camellia Sinensis, the Tea Plant. Unlike other products of the tea plant; black tea and oolong tea that are fermented, green tea is not fermented. Of all the three products, green tea is the least processed, hence close to nature in all aspects. Processing takes most of the essential components of tea. Therefore, green tea which is the least processed is the richest in polyphenols and other compounds that make your health better. These are the health benefits of green tea:
1. Protects your brain from neurodegenerative diseases
Green tea helps to improve the health of your brain after long-term use. Some of the most common neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Research shows that green tea can reduce your risk to these diseases by starving them. Green tea contains antioxidant catechins that protect neurons from neurodegenerative diseases.
2. Helpful in burning fat
Green tea is rich in caffeine which boosts metabolism and fat burning. By improving metabolism and breaking down fats for energy, green tea does not only help you lose weight but also keep a steady flow of energy. Green tea is one of the best slimming teas that can help you keep obesity at bay. In a randomized controlled study, it was found that 240 men and women who received green tea for 12 weeks had a decrease in body weight, waist circumference, body fat mass, and hip circumference than the controls. From this study, we can see that green tea can be used as an alternative to most weight loss regimens that starve the body of essential nutrients.
3. Fights free radicals
Our bodies use oxygen in metabolism and create free radicals. These free radicals can be very dangerous to the body as they can lead to gene mutation, cancer, and other degenerative diseases. Green tea is rich in polyphenol, an antioxidant that fights free radicals from your body and slimming your chances of developing cancer, stroke, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
4. Reduces anxiety and stress
In a fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become common lifestyle diseases. Keeping up with the daily demands of life can drain you both physically and emotionally leaving you stressed. Green tea can be your best remedy. Green tea reduces anxiety and stress by blocking GABBA, a neurotransmitter which causes anxiety. It also decreases stress levels by blocking glutamate receptors. The caffeine in green tea also helps to boost dopamine levels thus keeping you in happy moods.
5. Improves brain function
If you have watched Chinese movies, you will attest to the fact that most monks and martial arts masters drink a lot of tea. Apart from caffeine being a stimulant, it makes your brain more alert. Caffeine improves the brain function by blocking the adenosine receptors thereby allowing neurons to fire for longer and keep your brain active. Apart from caffeine, green tea is also rich in amino aide L-theanine which relaxes the mind and makes you more alert. Together, caffeine and amino aide L-theanine will improve your brain function significantly.
6. Improves dental health
Green tea is rich in catechins that help fight Streptococcus mutans, bacteria that causes plaque, tooth decay, and cavities. Green tea also improves the strength of teeth by improving bone mineral density (BMD). Green tea can also reduce bad breath.
7. Gives you a youthful skin
Green tea is rich in antioxidants that prevent wrinkles and other signs of old age due to its potency against free radicals. Also, green tea is rich in anti-inflammatory properties that help in protecting your skin against environmental surfactants.
Green tea is one of the best natural beverages you can enjoy without risks since it does not contain calories. Green tea has lots of health benefits; you can drink it as frequently as you want to keep diseases at bay.
