Green Tea | Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green Tea:

Green tea is a tea that is made from Camellia Sinensis leaves and buds. It is not going under oxidation and withering process as black tea and oolong tea are made. That’s why; it is one of the healthiest beverages among all types of tea on the earth. It is not processed much before it’s poured in your cup. It contains a lot of antioxidants that have many health benefits which may include boost immunity, reduce inflammation, improve brain function, fat loss, protecting against cancer, reduce the risk of heart and liver diseases, remove toxins, reduces bad cholesterol, boost the body functions and increases alertness in our bodies, etc.

Features of Green tea:

Polyphenols are found in green tea include Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and Flavanols. Three types of flavonoids are found in green tea, known as kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin.

Catechins are the main bioactive compound that is found in green tea and plays a vital role i.e. reduce cholesterol, weight loss, antioxidant, anti-influenza and prevent cancer, etc. Catechins oxidize easily and change their color to orange and red. But in green tea, Catechins complex compounds such as Theaflavins and Thearubigins are available that’s why it’s aqueous solution is colorless.

Caffeine increases alertness, stamina, good for brain function, provides the bitter taste and mild diuretic.

The L-theanine amino acid is also found in green tea which provides sweetness and a calming effect to the nerve system

Green tea is a good source of vitamin A, C, E, and many types of B vitamins. It also contains a small amount of minerals i.e. potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper. Chlorophyllprovides the plant green color and deodorizing effect. 

There may be even more potential health benefits.

Health Benefits of Green Tea:

1.  Green tea contains healthy bioactive compounds i.e. Catechins and Theaflavins:

The green tea plant is rich in polyphenols which are very good to reduce inflammation and helping to fight cancer. It contains catechins and theaflavins phytonutrient compounds which are very good for liver health, reduces the LDL cholesterol and prevents cell membranes from free radicals. It is also effective in anti-aging and prevents many diseases related to blood circulation and digestion.

2.  Green tea contains EGCG:

EGCG is one of the most powerful and unique plant compounds in green tea. It reduces inflammation, blood cholesterol and weight, helps to prevent brain and heart ailments. Green tea is a good source of vitamin A, C, E, and many types of B vitamins. It also contains a small amount of minerals i.e. potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc and copper. These minerals are also good for health.

3.  Green Tea improves brain function and protects it from many diseases:

Green tea contains caffeine which is very good for improves brain functions and alertness. A small amount of caffeine is available in green tea which provides many health benefits that improve brain function, vigilance, enhance reaction time, and improve memory function. In spite of caffeine, green tea also contains L-theanine amino acid that also supports brain functions. According to research studies, L- theanine and caffeine have synergistic effects. That’s why the combination of both provides potent effects on brain functions.

Green tea protects the brain from oxidative damages. Due to oxidative damage and aging, some degenerative diseases happen i.e. Alzheimer, Parkinson, etc. Several types of research show that the catechins compound in green tea has various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models. Catechins may reduce the common disease dementia in old age that is also called a neurodegenerative disorder.

4.  Green Tea helps to reduce weight:

Before work out, if someone uses green tea then due to caffeine, may also improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from fat tissue and provide energy. The antioxidant also protects cells from oxidative damages. Green tea boosts the body’s metabolic rate (BMR) which also helps to reduce weight. It is very effective to reduce the fat abdominal surrounding.

5.  Antioxidants may reduce the risk of cancers:

Cancer happens due to the uncontrolled growth of cells. The antioxidant helps to protect cells against oxidative damage. Due to oxidative damage, a lot of chronic diseases happen. Green tea is the richest source of antioxidants. So, by consuming green tea extract, we can prevent many chronic diseases including cancer i.e. breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, etc. 

6.  Green tea is good for oral health:

Antioxidants can suppress the growth of bacteria and viruses. So it reduces the risk of infection and other infectious diseases. It helps to reduce bad breath odor. Anybody drink green tea regularly then it is very useful to protect against cavities, gum diseases and oral cancer, etc.  It may reduce oral bacteria that may be the cause of many health ailments.

7.  Green tea may help to prevent cardiovascular, liver disease and type 2 diabetes:

Green tea has two different types of phytonutrients i.e. Catechins & Theaflavins. Together they help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. According to Scientific research, this Catechins & Theaflavins combination keeps the cholesterol in the food; we eat from being absorbed in the GI tract and encounter the liver to extract more LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream to make bile. It has also increased blood circulation. In this way, green tea is very helpful to prevent liver diseases and cardiovascular i.e. high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, etc.

Theanine is also found in green tea which provides a calming effect on the nerve system and physical body. So, it may cause mild reductions in blood sugar levels due to antioxidants and the use of non-sugary beverages. Type 2 diabetes patients have high blood sugar due to insulin resistance, where the cells, muscles and liver cannot absorb glucose effectively to energize the body in that case green tea may also help to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes because it increases the liver performance and green tea also reduce insulin resistance

8.  Green tea helps you live a longer and healthy life:

A lot of polyphenols are found in Green tea that’s why it is very effective to reduce heart diseases, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, liver diseases, and many types of cancers, which also improves body metabolic rate. These diseases are the main reasons for death. Two types of people are available in a society which used green tea i.e. habitual and non-habitual. Habitual people have more years of healthy life and life expectancy longer than non-habitual people.

Conclusion:

Green tea is provided with a big spectrum of possible health benefits. It is very helpful to cure and prevent so many diseases that are protecting against cancer, reduce the risk of heart and liver diseases, remove toxins from the body, reduces bad cholesterol, boost the body functions, lose weight and lower your risk of chronic diseases, you may want to consider making green tea a regular part of your life. Every day at least 2 cups of green tea may change your life long and healthy. It has been consumed for over 3000 years and popular drink after the water.

How to prepare green tea:

1.         Pour the water to a stainless steel pot.

2.         Put the pot on the flame and boil the water.

3.         Remove the pot from the flame and add the green tea leaves immediately.

4.         Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

5.         Strain the tea into your cup.