Green Tea - An Overview

What is Green Tea?

Green tea has been widely used in China and Japan for hundreds of years. It has also gained momentum globally due to its myriad health benefits. Green tea contains the maximum quantity of antioxidants among all tea varieties. It is one of the tea varieties obtained from the plant Camellia sinensis. Other products of this plant are black and oolong teas. Camellia sinensis leaves are plucked and processed to protect them from oxidation. The leaves are then treated with either steam heat or dry heat and preserved. The handling of other tea types differs from the coursing of green tea leaves.

What is Green Tea Made of?

Chemically green tea is complex. It comprises protein enzymes that make up its essential part; amino acids; carbohydrates; minerals; and other elements such as calcium, iron, copper, zinc, fluorine, etc., and small amounts of lipids; vitamins B, C, and E; caffeine, theophylline; pigments like chlorophyll, carotenoids, and volatile compounds. In addition, green tea contains polyphenols, mostly flavonols, also known as catechins. There are four principal catechins in green tea: epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, and EGCG.

The Composition (%) Of Green Tea:

What Are the Different Types of Green Tea?

Green tea comes in several distinct varieties that differ in flavor and characteristics. Some of the well-known types are as follows:

1. Bi Luo Chun is the favorite variety of Chinese people, and it has a sweet, herbal taste.

2. Dragonwell is widely accepted in the U.S.A and comes from China. It comprises a mild, sweet flavor like a chestnut.

3. Genmaicha is grown in Japan. This type has a sweet, roasted, vegetal taste mixed with puffed rice.

4. Gunpowder is a Chinese variety in which dried leaves are compressed into pellets. It possesses a light, grassy flavor.

5. Gyokuro is a Japanese green tea that is grown under shade. It has a perfect taste of umami.

6. Hōjicha consists of roasted leaves and stems, which gives it a woody flavor, so coffee lovers prefer it. It has low caffeine content.

7. Jasmine is a favorite blend among all green tea varieties. The soft and sweet flavor of jasmine flowers gives it a light taste.

8. Kukicha is made from steamed Japanese tea stems and has a sweet herbal flavor with low caffeine content.

9. Matcha comes from Japan. It is dispensed as a tea powder and has a bittersweet flavor.

10. Sencha is a widely known variety in Japan, and it contains a vegetal and grassy flavor.

How Much Caffeine Does Green Tea Have?

Green tea comprises significantly less caffeine as compared to other tea varieties. One cup of green tea contains around 12 mg to 75 mg of caffeine. However, the caffeine content varies as per the infusion time and the quantity of infused tea. Nevertheless, a green tea called matcha may comprise more caffeine than black tea or espresso.

How to Make Green Tea Shots?

It is easy to make green tea shots. However, its preparation differs from other teas because it does not require boiling water to produce. The boiling water has a negative effect on its making as it turns the taste of green tea leaves bitter. Hot or simmering water at a temperature of 150 to 180℉ is enough. Green tea also has a steeping time of only 20 to 30 seconds, beyond which its taste becomes unpalatably sharp. Therefore, only hot water is needed to make it, and additives like sugar, cream, etc., remain unnecessary. A little bit of lemon juice can sometimes be added to some varieties for taste modification. The various green teas have different infusion times and temperatures, so each variety should be prepared accordingly. Again, the packet should be referred to for the instruction details.

Why is Green Tea Good for You?

Green tea does a plethora of good to the health when consumed regularly in an optimal quantity.

Some of its benefits for health are listed as:

• Green Tea is Nutrient-rich: It is full of essential and rare nutrients. It also contains catechins and other elements. Fluoride is also detected in green tea, which strengthens the teeth.

• Green Tea may Promote Weight Loss: The catechins and caffeine in green tea may promote weight loss by increasing metabolism. However, the effect may be inhibited with a high-calorie diet or added sweeteners.

• Green Tea may Decrease the Symptoms of Arthritis: When taken along with the medications, green tea may relieve the manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

• Green Tea may Have Anti-cancer Effects: It has been proved to have protective UVB-causing skin cancer effects. It may also help prevent other types of cancer like breast, bladder, ovarian, colorectal, esophageal, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers.

• Green Tea has Anti-inflammatory Dermatological effects: The components in green tea, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), portray anti-inflammatory effects in skin conditions such as eczema and genital warts. It is used in cosmetics, too, as its topical application also produces the same results. It helps in the repair of skin cell damage caused by UV rays.

• Green Tea may Reduce Insulin Resistance: In cases of type-2 diabetes, the inclusion of green tea in the diet may help in decreasing insulin resistance and managing the diabetic condition. Green tea consumption also reduces the chances of developing diabetes mellitus in otherwise healthy individuals.

• Green Tea Improves Brain Health and Alertness: The caffeine in green tea stimulates the nervous system. L-theanine enhances concentration and mental focus. Green tea may also prevent Alzheimer’s disease and may assist in treating neuropsychiatric conditions like dementia and mental issues such as social anxiety disorder, etc.

• Green Tea Safeguards Cardiac Health: Green tea decreases bad cholesterol in the body, lowers high blood pressure, and reduces the chances of stroke. It has been significantly proven to decrease the risk of cardiovascular and other ischemic conditions.

What Does Green Tea Do?

Besides, being healthy is beneficial to health. However, green tea may pose the following problems:

• In people with severe caffeine sensitivity, it causes insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and stomach issues.

• It affects liver health when taken in high concentrations, and it should be avoided in patients with liver diseases.

• It may interact with drugs and decrease their efficacy, such as beta-blockers. It also lowers the blood levels of certain medicines.

• It also harms the liver when used along with over-the-counter drugs for weight loss.

• When consumed in increased amounts during pregnancy or lactation, it may produce birth- defects and affect a breastfeeding infant’s health.

Conclusion:

Green tea has abundant health gains, especially the medicinal effects. Yet, it should only be consumed in appropriate amounts. Its overdose causes critical health issues, and it should be discontinued or avoided in certain circumstances.