2014
Top 10 Health Benefits of Green Tea
By: Sourav
Green tea is a natural beverage packed with fat-burning, cancer-fighting and heart health friendly properties including antioxidants. Rich in nutrients, green tea has nourishing effects on the body. It is a natural solution for home-based treatment of obesity and dental problems. Moreover, it hydrates the body and keeps the brain at work. What more? Read on to know the health and wellness benefits of green tea consumption.
Green tea delays aging of the body
Green tea leaves are loaded with bioactive compounds which carry lots of nutrients. Polyphenols like catechins and flavonoids in green tea work as antioxidants which safeguard cells and molecules from free radicals in the body. These polyphenols neutralize the activity of free radicals and reduce their formation, thereby delaying the aging of the body.
Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECCG) is one of the medicinal properties in green tea. It is a powerful antioxidant which fights off various diseases. Moreover, green tea contains some minerals that the body requires for good health.
A high quality green tea brand is the best buy because it contains a small quantity of fluoride. However, low quality brands are far from risks in spite of containing a high amount of fluoride.
Bottom Line: Green tea is full of bioactive compounds that benefit health in multiple ways.
Green tea boosts the brain function and health
Green tea contains caffeine not as much as coffee. Caffeine is the most active ingredient with stimulating effects. It is known to improve the brain function and health. It keeps the brain awake, active, vigilant and at work by increasing the concentration of neurotransmitters.
Green tea also has L-theanine, an amino acid, which improves the anti-anxiety function of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. The combined activity of caffeine and L-theanine improves the overall brain function. Having a small amount of caffeine, green tea is milder and more beneficial than coffee.
Bottom Line: Though green tea contains caffeine in lesser quantities than coffee itself, it is effective and beneficial for health. Caffeine and L-theanine in green tea play a combined role in improving the brain function.
Green tea helps the body burn fat
Green tea is full of fat-burning properties which work by increasing the rate of metabolism in the body. Daily intake of green tea increases fat oxidation, a natural fat-burning process. The percentage of fat oxidation varies from person to person. Caffeine in green tea makes the body absorb fatty acids from fat tissues for energy production.
Bottom Line: Green tea boosts metabolism and the fat-burning process to help with weight loss.
Green tea keeps cancer development risks away
Oxidative damage leads to cancer development which antioxidants are known to protect the body from. Green tea is a good source of cancer-preventing antioxidants. Daily intake of this beverage can lower the possibility of different types of cancer – breast cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. The antioxidants in Green tea are studied to lower breast cancer risks by 22%. Do note that if milk is added to green tea, the antioxidant value is reduced.
Bottom Line: Green tea’s high antioxidant power prevents the body from development risks of various cancer types.
Green tea keeps the brain healthy in old age
Green tea provides natural care for the brain health in old age. It is beneficial for those who are at the risk of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are neurodegenerative diseases, caused by the death of dopamine-producing neurons. Green tea contains catechin compounds which lower risks of neurodegenerative diseases by preventing the death of dopamine-producing neurons.
Bottom Line: Green tea’s bioactive compounds effectively improve the health of neurons in the brain, thereby reducing the possibility of neurodegenerative diseases which old people are vulnerable to.
Green tea prevents dental infections and reduces bad breath
Green tea contains antibacterial properties including catechins which keep the risk of bacterial infections away by killing harmful bacteria and viruses. Green tea is the bane of harmful bacteria like streptococcus mutans in the mouth. Streptococcus mutans damages dental health by causing plaque and cavities. Catetchins in green tree prevent damage to dental health by inhibiting the activity of the bacteria. Relief from bad breath is another good benefit of green tea consumption.
Bottom Line: Green tea is good for dental health. Its antibacterial properties fight harmful bacteria that cause dental ailments like plaque and cavity.
Green tea keeps type II diabetes away
Reduced risk of type II diabetes is among the health and wellness benefits of green tea intake. In the past few years, type II diabetes has affected millions of people across the globe. It is caused due to high blood pressure level when the body loses its ability to produce insulin. Daily intake of green tea can improve the body’s natural insulin-producing ability. Green tea drinkers are less prone to diabetes than those who do drink it.
Bottom Line: Green tea has been studied to curb the blood sugar level and control the type II diabetes risk.
Green tea protects and improves the heart health
Many people die because of cardiovascular diseases every year. Green tea can curb the risk of cardiovascular diseases by checking the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Green tea’s antioxidant formula prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which badly affects the heart health. Studies show that green tea drinkers are safer from heart diseases than those who do not take green tea.
Bottom Line: Green tea protects the heart from cardiovascular diseases by preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Green tea curbs obesity and helps lose weight
Green tea has proven to be effective for home-based obesity treatment. Green tea intake is a natural solution for those who are probe to be obese. As previously mentioned, this beverage helps with weight loss by stimulating the process of burning fat in the abdominal area and around the waistline. The obese can greatly benefit from daily intake of this beverage.
Bottom Line: Green tea helps people fight obesity by curbing the abdominal fat.
Green tea may bless you with longevity
Death is inevitable. There is no escape from it. But, the health and wellness benefits of green tea may increase the lifespan of individuals. It is evident from the fact that green tea consumption improves the heart health, curbs obesity and lower cancer risks. A fit and healthy body lives longer.
Bottom Line: Green tea may let you live a longer life in good health condition.
Message: Do make sure to add green tea to your daily diet chart for good heart health, dental health, weight loss, fitness and protection from chronic diseases.
Tags: health and fitness, Health and wellness