I am convinced that green tea is the best drink on earth. Green tea has become a staple in my life and I have reaped great benefits from drinking it on a regular basis. Black tea, also known as sweet tea in the southern states, was my favorite drink for many years. It’s called sweet tea because it’s brewed and then loaded with sugar for the perfect taste. It’s kind of like “having a little tea with your sugar,” if you know what I mean. After learning about green tea and its many health benefits, it has become my go-to drink. I try to drink several cups of green tea every day.
Both black and green tea are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinesis plant. There are benefits to drinking both teas, but green tea is the least processed and contains more antioxidants. Green tea has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is believed to be a natural cure for many diseases.
Researchers are beginning to confirm the benefits of drinking green tea, particularly in cancer prevention, heart health, and weight loss. It is believed that antioxidants in green tea called polyphenols, provide its anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. Green tea seems to be the best drink for overall health. The following are 10 amazing benefits of green tea:
1. Weight Loss
Green tea is an excellent aid for weight loss. This is because green tea has caffeine, which boosts your metabolism and helps you burn fat at a faster rate. This is why you see many weight loss supplements on the market that contain green tea or coffee as an ingredient. Studies have shown that green tea can also prevent obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells.
2. Oral Health
Many people are unaware that drinking green tea promotes healthy teeth and gums. Green tea prevents tooth decay, cavities, and reduces the risk of developing periodontal disease. Make sure to drink green tea without sugar or cream to reap the full benefits.
3. Type II Diabetes
Research studies show that green tea decreases the risk of Type II Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing insulin activity.
4. Stress
Green tea leaves contain the amino acid, L-theanine, which can alleviate stress and anxiety. L-theanine promotes relaxation, due to its calming effect on the central nervous system.
5. Food Poisoning
Drinking green tea can reduce your risk of getting food poisoning. Green tea contains catechins, which are powerful polyphenols that destroy several types of bacteria that cause food poisoning.
6. Heart Disease
Research has shown that green tea reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This is because green tea contains powerful antioxidants that improve the overall health of arteries and blood vessels.
7. Cholesterol
Green tea can be beneficial to those who need to control their cholesterol levels. The flavonoids in green tea have been known to lower bad cholesterol (LDL).
8. Cancer
There has been a substantial amount of research on green tea and the role it plays in preventing cancer. Cancer researcher, Dr. William Lei, presented information on cancer prevention when he appeared on the Dr. Oz show, earlier this year. Dr. Lei reported that green tea contains EGCG, a type of flavonoid that has been found to kill ovarian cancer cells directly.
9. Skin care
Green tea has amazing benefits when used topically. It has anti-aging properties and keeps elasticity in your skin. Green tea can also be used to treat acne.
10. Memory
Based on a research study conducted at the University of Basel in Switzerland, green tea has a positive impact on the brain and enhances memory performance.
These are just some of the benefits of drinking green tea. There are many more benefits of green tea, as medical research continues to make discoveries about its role in health. Keep in mind that even though green tea has positive effects on your health, it should not be used to replace proper water intake, exercise, and a healthy diet. Cheers to your health!
Photo Credit: Robert S. Donovan (Changes made to this photo)
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