Tea is the second most popular drink in the world, after water. It makes sense, considering that an estimated 3 billion people frequently enjoy it. However, green tea is different from other teas because of its distinct taste and possible health benefits.
Green tea, abundant in antioxidants, has long been used medicinally in China and Japan. People use it nowadays for a number of purposes, such as increasing alertness, encouraging weight loss, and even relieving headaches. Let's understand some of the most well-known health advantages of green tea in more detail.
Why is green tea so unique?
The Camellia sinensis plant, which also yields black and oolong teas, is the source of green tea. Unlike its variants, black and oolong, green tea does not experience significant oxidation or withering. As a result, it has a unique flavour and is a super antioxidant. Green tea has been valued for its therapeutic qualities for millennia. Now that science has caught up, it is being studied for its ability to fend off diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Four Benefits to Love Green Tea
1.Keeping Your Heart Safe
Functional medicine dietician Sam Schleiger describes the role of green tea's unique class of antioxidants called catechins. These catechins cut bad cholesterol, enhance blood fat profiles, and prevent plaque buildup in arteries—all of which promote heart health and minimise the risk of heart disease. Drinking one to three cups of green tea a day may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a review of numerous studies. Even higher users—roughly ten cups per day—generally have lower harmful cholesterol levels. Additionally, more recent studies suggest a connection between drinking green tea and a lower risk of coronary heart disease.
2. Helping People Manage Their Weight
In the fight to lose weight, green tea may be your hidden weapon. Dietitian Amy Shapiro describes how the combination of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) and caffeine in green tea speeds up metabolism and breaks away fat cells. Stimulant caffeine is proven to help burn fat and enhance exercise performance. It increases the action of hormones that burn fat by instructing fat cells to release fat instead of keeping it as energy. Consuming green tea has been linked in studies to lower body weight, body mass index (BMI), and belly fat. Green tea may even have benefits for those who have PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Although the precise amount required to achieve this effect is still unknown, but research indicates that it may help with weight loss.
3. Increasing Brain Power.
Do you feel disoriented? Green tea's caffeine content can improve your memory, focus, and level of alertness. That's not all, though. Additionally, L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, helps to improve brain function by promoting relaxation and raising the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Studies indicate that green tea may have a number of positive effects on brain health, such as lowering anxiety, boosting focus, and improving memory. The possibility that green tea components could be used to cure or prevent neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease is even more intriguing. Although further research is required, these substances can counteract free radicals, lessen inflammation, and prevent the accumulation of dangerous proteins in the brain.
4. Controls Blood Sugar Levels
According to preliminary research, green tea may assist in controlling blood sugar levels. This might be because EGCG seems to stop starches from breaking down, which keeps blood sugar levels consistent. Short-term research has demonstrated that drinking green tea lowers blood sugar levels during fasting. To prove its long-term impact on insulin levels and blood sugar regulation, more research is necessary.
Conclusion
Consider making a cup of green tea the next time you're craving something cool to drink. It could very well become your new favourite beverage for a healthy you! In addition to indulging in a delightful and calming beverage, you'll be providing your body with a healthy dosage of antioxidants and other possibly beneficial substances.