Jun
12
2016
Secret benefits of drinking green tea
If you are not a fan of coffee and would take a nice cup of tea any day, you’re in luck. Green tea has to be one of the healthiest drinks on Earth. It is chock full of antioxidants and nutrients that can serve as a health booster.
Green tea originates from China and has been used as medicine for thousands of years due to properties such as lowering blood pressure and preventing cancer. The reason lies in its processing; as green tea does not undergo fermentation. Hence, they retain the maximum amount of antioxidants that make it so good for our health.
So what are you waiting for? Read on to know the health benefits of green tea.
Losing weight
On a diet but it seems to take too long for any effect? Try adding green tea to your diet! It increases your metabolism rate as green tea contains polyphenol which heightens levels of fat oxidisation. This will help reduce the rate your body turns food into calories. This means decreasing body fat, especially in our abdominal area.
Type II diabetes
Green tea might help to balance glucose levels, slowing the rise in blood sugar after a meal. A study on Japanese adults showed an inverse relationship between green tea consumption and the risk of diabetes.
Cardiovascular diseases
Heart diseases and strokes are the largest causes of death in the world. Studies have shown that green tea can reduce risk factors for such diseases such as cholesterol. It comes as no surprise then, that drinkers of green tea experience 31% less risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Protecting your brain
Green tea can help improve brain function, and more importantly, protect your brain from the ageing process against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Both are results of a common neurodegenerative disease involving loss of our brain’s functions. Alzheimer’s is a leading cause of dementia while Parkinson’s lead to uncontrollable body tremours due to damaged brain cells.
Tests on mice show that green tea can protect the neurons and brain cells from dying while restoring damaged ones.
Tooth decay
Tea contains a certain chemical antioxidant known as “catechin” which can kill bacteria and viruses causing throat infection and cavities. Other studies indicated that they help suppress the influenza virus, possibly lowering chances of infection. A bonus: green tea also helps eliminate bad breath!
Radiant skin
Additionally, green tea helps get rid of those nasty wrinkles and other signs of ageing. This is attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies on humans and animals also show the sun protecting properties of green tea.
There you have it if you’re not already drinking it, why not start? There is pretty much no downside to over drinking, except if you are sensitive to caffeine. Otherwise, this is a great bonus to any weight loss regime. Go ahead and make that cup!
