Green tea which is more than just green liquid is the healthiest beverage on planet earth. It contains antioxidants and nutrients which have powerful effects on the body. It provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, notably catechin called epigallocatechin 3-gallate(EPCG) which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea. Green tea is taken with soft water because hard water inactivates polyphenols, and the water temperature should be 70°C to 80°C. It is advisable not to consume dairy products before drinking green tea because milk deactivates polyphenols.
Green tea is made by briefly steaming the just harvested green leaves, rendering them soft and pliable and preventing them from fermenting or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are rolled and spread out and dried with hot air until they are crisp. The resulting greenish yellow tea has a green slightly astringent flavor close to the taste of the fresh leaves.
The addition of sugar, honey or other sweeteners to the tea may negate these benefits.
Green tea also helps to diminish bone loss through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Green tea’s health promoting properties are thought to suppress the breakdown of bone while increasing the amount and activity of bone building cells.
Also, the catechin in green tea create the production of heat within the body which is related to burning calories. This helps to increase weight loss. Drinking at least three cups a day is recommended to raise the body’s metabolic rate.
The catechin found in green tea also helps to prevent cell mutation, deactivate certain carcinogens, reduce the formation and growth of tumors, lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and also lower cholesterol level.
THE INCREDIBLE HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA
IMPROVEMENT OF DENTAL HEALTH
Green tea which contains a natural fluoride also contains polyphenol and catechins which are also associated with killing bacteria that cause tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.
IMPROVEMENT OF BRAIN FUNCTION
Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee but enough to produce a response without causing the jittery effects associated with too much caffeine. It leads to improvement of mood, vigilance, reaction time, memory. It also contains amino acid L-theanine which increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain. The combination of the two helps improve brain function.
REDUCTION OF THE RISK OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CANCER
Cancer which is caused by oxidative damage that causes uncontrolled growth of cells can be prevented or lowered by the use of green tea which is an excellent source of powerful antioxidant. The epigallocatechin-3 gallate plays a pivotal role in the green tea’s anticancer effects.
REDUCTION OF THE RISK OF OBESITY
Green tea leads to decrease in body fat, especially in the abdominal area. It helps to boost the metabolic rate, increases fat burning, and improves physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from the fat tissues and making them available for use as energy.
The catechin which the green tea contains create the production of heat in the body which is related to burning calories. This can also help to increase weight loss.
REDUCTION OF THE RISK OF CADIOVASCULAR DISEASES
Cardiovascular diseases which include heart diseases and stroke are one of the major causes of death in the whole world and can be reduced using green tea. Green tea reduces the Total and LDL cholesterol and also prevents the oxidation of LDL particles
REDUCTION OF THE RISK OF DIABETES MELLITUS (DIABETES TYPE 2)
Type 2 diabetes involves elevated blood sugar, insulin resistance and inability to produce insulin. Green tea can increase insulin sensitivity and reduce the level of blood sugar.