Of course, no one food will protect you from disease. Your health is wrapped up in your lifestyle and your genes, so even if you drink green tea all day long, you also need to take care of yourself in other ways, like not smoking, being active, and eating a healthy diet.
Green tea’s biggest benefit? "It's all about the catechin content," says Beth Reardon, RD, a Boston nutritionist. Catechins are antioxidants that fight and may even prevent cell damage. Green tea is not processed much before it's poured in your cup, so it's rich in catechins.
Green tea is one of the most valued and widely consumed drinks in the world. Besides being a delicious beverage, green tea has many powerful benefits due to its significant antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cavity properties.
The compounds present in this beverage provide relief from many common health issues and at the same time reduce the risk of many chronic diseases and serious health problems. Due to its immense health benefits, green tea can do wonders for your health. Just three to four cups of green tea today can do your health a big favor.
What About Weight Loss?
Sorry, but no drink or food melts the pounds off. While some evidence suggests that the active ingredient in green tea, EGCG, may help you drop a few pounds, other studies show no effect.
But green tea is a smart swap for sugary drinks.
"All things being equal, if you sub 1-2 cups of green tea for one can of soda, over the next year you'd save over 50,000 calories," Ochner says. That's more than 15 pounds. Just don’t swamp it with honey or sugar!
Here are the top 10 health benefits of green tea.
1. Improves Brain Health
Our brains need healthy blood vessels to function properly. According to a Swiss study, people who drink green tea regularly have greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains.
It has also been found that green tea helps block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the two most common neurodegenerative disorders.
Green tea even delays the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, due to the bioactive compounds present in green tea that can have various protective effects on neurons. To boost your memory and ward off disease, simply drink one or two cups of green tea daily.
2. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Green tea also helps keep blood sugar levels stable in people who suffer from diabetes. The compounds polyphenols and polysaccharides present in green tea can be useful for both types of diabetes.
Green tea can stimulate insulin production in the pancreas, regulate blood sugar levels and absorb glucose in those with Type 1 diabetes.
In Type 2 diabetes, green tea helps reduce the frequent blood sugar spikes that often lead to complications in the eyes, heart and kidneys. In fact, green tea is one of the best things that a diabetic person may include in his or her diet plan.
3. Reduces Cholesterol Levels
Green tea can also effectively reduce bad cholesterol in the blood and improve the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
Studies regarding the effect of green tea consumption on cholesterol levels suggest that it lowers the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol.
At the same time, it helps raise the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is considered “good.”
There are certain compounds in green tea that help block the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, while simultaneously aiding in its excretion.
Also, green tea keeps the arteries clean by preventing the oxidization of LDL, which can cause plaque buildup and increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
4. Promotes Oral Health
Green tea consumption is associated with improved dental health and a lower risk of cavities. The natural fluoride in green tea, polyphenols and catechins can effectively kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay, bad breath, cavities and various gum diseases.
According to a study published by the European Journal of Nutrition, consumption of one or more cups of green tea a day can significantly reduce the risk of tooth loss. However, the oral benefits of green tea are lost when sugar, honey, or other sweeteners are added to the tea.
5. Helps Maintain Body Weight
Several studies have proven that a cup of green tea daily can reduce body fat, especially in the abdominal area. It can also significantly decrease body fat percentage, body weight and waist circumference.
Also, the catechins in green tea help generate heat within the body, which in turn burns extra calories. The polyphenol in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.
Studies indicate that the combination of caffeine and other compounds in the tea appears to boost metabolism, burn calories and break down fat.
6. Prevents Hair Loss
Green tea is packed with antioxidants that help prevent hair loss and can also promote hair re-growth. The polyphenol catechins in green tea help block DHT, which is the key factor for hair loss.
Plus, green tea has a component called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that promotes hair growth by stimulating hair cells.
Drink a few cup of green tea daily to prevent hair loss and possible help re-grow your hair. Also, cool freshly-brewed green tea, rinse your wet hair with it and then rinse your hair with water after 10 minutes. Do this a few times a week for at least a few months. It will also help reduce problems like dandruff and dry scalp.
7. Fights Against Aging
The antioxidants, especially those known as polyphenols, in green tea help protect the skin from harmful free radicals. In fact, polyphenols help fight against various signs of aging, promote longevity, and treat skin diseases.
Also, the high levels of oligomeric proanthocyanidins in green tea are thought to help slow down premature aging if taken internally. This is one reason green tea is being used in a host of beauty products.
Studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can also reduce sun damage. In addition, green tea helps fight against skin cancer.
8. Lowers Blood Pressure
Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. It helps keep blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.
In fact, according to study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, people who consumed one-half to two and a half cups of green tea regularly for at least one year reduced the risk of developing high blood pressure by 46% as compared to those who did not drink any green tea.
9. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Multiple studies show that the numerous antioxidants in green tea may lower the risk of various types of cancer like breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal, bladder, lung, and stomach cancer.
In fact, the antioxidants in green tea are 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 24 times better than vitamin E. Drinking as many as four cups of green tea a day may be necessary to reap its anti-cancer benefits.
10. Keeps Bones Strong
The high fluoride content in green tea helps maintain bone strength. Regular consumption of green tea is associated with a lower risk of osteoporotic fractures.
Loss of bone density is prevented by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties present in green tea.
It helps suppress the breakdown of bone while increasing the amount and activity of bone-building cells. Drink green tea every day to help preserve your bone density.
So, a cup of green tea is a good way to start your day and support many aspects of good health.
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