What is Green Tea?
For centuries, mankind has been cultivating and consuming tea. Today, it has become the most widely consumed drink in the world. All themany varieties of tea available are produced from the same plant: Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to Asia. Amongst all the varieties of tea, green tea is considered the healthiest. Green tea is basically just regular tea that has not been fermented. Fermentation causes the tea to lose some of its beneficial compounds such as polyphenols. Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that protect the body from free radical damage. Because green tea is not fermented the polyphenols are preserved thereby making it more beneficial than other types of tea.
Benefits of Green Tea
- It improves heart health by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL, raising good cholesterol (HDL), and reducing triglyceride levels
- Polyphenols in green tea have been found to kill cancer cells and impede their growth. They protect against many forms of cancer such as bladder, breast, lung, colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, prostate, skin, and stomach
- It reduces inflammation of the bowel associated with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- It helps manage diabetes by regulating blood glucose levels
- It helps detoxify the liver and also reduces inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis
- It boosts metabolism which aids in weight and fat loss
- It lowers the formation of dental cavities
- It improves blood flow by inhibiting the production of blood clots
- It helps the body get rid of excess water due to the diuretic properties it possesses
- It keeps the skin healthy and wrinkles free
- It provides energy without the jitteriness associated with caffeine. This is in part due to the L- Theanine it contains. L- Theanine is an amino acid that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier to reduce stress, improve cognition, and boost mood
- It helps maintain a healthy blood pressure level