Everyone seems to be getting on the healthy bandwagon and if you are too, you would be remiss without adding green tea to your daily must-haves. Green tea has been subject to many medical and scientific studies to find its health benefits which have long been purported that drinking it regularly is highly beneficial.
If you’re looking for an alternative to normal tea, green tea is your best bet as it is least processed and provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, notably a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is responsible for most of its advantages.
Green tea’s impact on cancer and heart disease seem very promising, and many people have experienced life changing benefits as a result of daily consumption. If you’re still on the fence about skipping the dairy and sugar, here’s a collation of benefits of a regular dose of green tea:
- Lowers your risk of cancer
- Eases the pain of rheumatoid arthritis: EGCG protects cartilage destruction and reduces joint swelling and pain. This leads many scientists and health professionals to recommend green tea as a legitimate remedy for treating arthritis.
- Stabilizes your cholesterol levels: Researchers believe that green tea lowers your cholesterol levels by reducing its absorption in your digestive tract and increasing the rate of which it is excreted. The amazing antioxidant effects of green tea helps to keep your arteries clean. Green tea thus helps you with weight loss also.
- Prevents cardiovascular disease: They also found that green tea was especially beneficial in preventing strokes, due in large part to the antioxidants and how they prevent clogged arteries.
- Boosts your immune system: Catechins, antioxidant polyphenol compounds, have been shown to have a major impact in your immune system. The study followed a group of coffee drinkers and a group of tea drinkers who each drank 600ml of their respective drinks daily. Blood samples taken four weeks later clearly showed that production of these antibacterial proteins were five times higher in those drinking tea.
- Promotes weight loss: Both green tea and green tea extract have proven to fight obesity and lower LDL cholesterol – both of which ultimately lead to a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes. The polyphenols in green tea are extremely useful for dissolving triglycerides, a substance in the liver and small intestine made up of mostly sugar and fat, the reason why green tea assists in fat loss.
- Reduces tooth decay: Antibacterial properties found in green tea extract are also used by your body to kill the bacteria that causes plaque on your teeth. Fluoride is also found in green tea which helps to protect against cavities.
- Fights the cause of allergies in your body: EGCG could very well be the compound which prevents you from having watery eyes, sneezing and coughing.
- Reduces and prevents acne: Antioxidants fight against free radicals which damage the skin and make it more susceptible to acne also help to balance hormone levels to help prevent future breakouts.
- Slows the aging process to prevent wrinkles: One of the latest benefits of green tea is the effect it has on your skin and the aging process. It is again down to the antioxidants that prevent cell oxidation and damage that can make you look older than you really are.
Green tea in excess may have disadvantages too as it contains caffeine. Most of the western countries are adding stimulants in green tea which can lead to insomnia and some health hazards. It might be a good idea to have it in moderation.
It seems like a cup of green tea might be a great way to start your day!
