Green Tea Health Benefits

Green Tea Health Benefits: Drink Your Way to Good Health

Green tea has long been touted as one of the healthiest beverages around, but what are the green tea health benefits? Read on to find out.

Green tea comes from the same shrub as normal, black tea but goes through a different oxidation and processing regime. It’s the main drink of many Far Eastern countries, but its popularity has grown worldwide in recent times thanks to its reputation for providing lots of health benefits.

Antioxidants

Green tea is jam-packed with antioxidants – that is, chemicals that can have a powerful effect by healing, nourishing and protecting the body. Antioxidants combat the formation of free radicals, which can damage cells and molecules and contribute towards ageing and diseases. Research has highlighted that this drink may protect against certain forms of cancer.

Catechins in green tea

Specifically, antioxidants in tea include polyphenols and of these, catechins are particularly valuable at fighting free radicals in the body – these can cause cancers as they attack healthy cells. Green tea has a higher concentration of these than black teas as the tea has not been oxidised. Japanese Matcha, in which the powdered green tea is consumed as part of the liquor, can have around 98 of the most beneficial catechins, EGCG, per 250 ml compared with 60 for infused China Long Jing and 18 for Japanese Sencha. Source: Tea, K. Gascoyne, Firefly Books, 2011.

Improved Brain Function

Chemicals contained in this wonder beverage are thought to help improve concentration and brain function. Interestingly, research has suggested that the catechin compounds in this tea help protect neurons, which could ward off neuro-degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Weight Loss

In trials, green tea has been shown to increase the burning of fat in the body and boost the metabolism, which is great news for anyone looking to loose weight. In particular, studies show it can be effective at shifting abdominal fat. Being overweight is often associated with an increased risk of type II diabetes, and studies have also indicated that this tea can help to reduce blood sugar levels, which can lower a person’s risk of developing this disease.

Cardiovascular Function

Substances in this tea have been linked to an improved cardiovascular function, which can reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes and high cholesterol by a third.

Bacteria Busting

Catechin compounds are thought to have the ability to kill bacteria and viruses, which can lower the risk of developing infections. Crucially, evidence seems to point to the fact that these catechins can combat streptococcus mutans in the mouth, which can boost dental health, lower the risk of tooth decay and banish bad breath.

How Many Cups of Tea Should You Drink?

Many people might wonder how many cups of green tea you would need to drink to achieve any associated health benefits. Experts recommend drinking two to three cups per day to gain health benefits, giving you 240 to 320 milligrams of polyphenols (antioxidants).

If you’d like to experience the great health benefits of this tea, then visit our site for more information and a wide selection of green teas to choose from.

Go to the Green teas section of our Tea Store.