Green Tea And Its Health Benefits

A recent trend in being healthy by consuming food involves the consumption of green tea. It is important to know what are the benefits and some other details of the same in order to obtain the maximum benefits.

It is made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds and they do not undergo withering and oxidation process like other teas. It is known to be originated in China, following which it has spread to many other parts of Asia. Usually, the low-quality leaves are steeped for a longer time, whereas high-quality leaves are steeped for a short period of time and in cool conditions but it is done many times.

It contains antioxidants and nutrients that have a strong effect on the body. Some of the benefits include improved functioning of the brain, loss of fat, decreased cancer risk, etc. The benefits are listed below:

1.It has bioactive compounds that are known to improve health

This tea is rich in polyphenols and most of the compounds of the plant reach until the final drink and contains a lot of nutrients. The polyphenols reduce inflammation and also help to fight against cancer.

It is 30 % polyphenols by weight and has high amounts of catechin known as EGCG. These catechins are antioxidants available naturally and help to prevent damage to the cell, etc. They are also beneficial in decreasing the formation of free radicals in the body, protect cells and other molecules from any damage. These free radicals play a major role in aging and other disease conditions. It also has many minerals.

It is advisable to choose a high-quality brand of green tea as low-quality brands may contain fluoride.

2.Improves brain function

Green tea can make you smart. It is because of the ingredient caffeine which is a stimulant. The quantity is less compared to coffee and hence, is not harmful. The caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine in the brain. Hence, it raises the activity of neurons and also the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

It also contains L-theanine which is an amino acid and can cross the blood-brain barrier. It increases the activity of an inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA, and thus, has an anti-anxiety effect. It is also known to raise dopamine levels in the brain along with the production of alpha waves in the brain.

Thus, you can stay more stable and energetic along with being more productive in consuming it.

3.Increased burning of fat

Green tea has shown to increase fat burning and increase the metabolic rate in studies conducted on humans. The caffeine content also has shown to improve the physical performance of individuals by migrating fatty acids from the fat tissues and eventually, making them available for the body to be used in order to get energy. Though, you should also keep in mind that the effects vary from person to person due to other contributing factors too.

4.Lowers cancer risk

The antioxidant property has known to reduce the risk of cancer as oxidative damage leads to the development of cancer. Breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer are known to be affected by drinking green tea as it reduces the risk of these cancers.

5.Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases

Green tea has shown to protect the brain in old age also. The bioactive compounds have many protective effects on the brain and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases which are the two most commonly known neurodegenerative disorders.

6.Decreases dental infection and other infections

The catechins in green tea are known to have biological effects like they act against Streptococcus mutans and thus, green tea intake can reduce caries incidence and improve dental health.

7.Lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes

Green tea has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar levels.

8.Decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Studies have shown that consumption of green tea can improvise some of the important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. It also increases the antioxidant capacity of blood that brings about the protection of LDL particles from being oxidized, which is one of the pathways of getting a heart disease.

9.Weight reduction

As already mentioned, green tea improves the metabolic rate in a short-term and thus, helps in weight reduction. Thus, eventually, reduces the risk of obesity.

10. The longevity of life

As discussed above, the benefits of green tea put an individual in a low risk of getting some of the diseases as compared to others who do not consume green tea and thus, ultimately improves the quality and quantity of life.

Green tea is one of the main ingredients that can be seen in most of the health articles in order to live healthily. Though it has a range of benefits, it is important to understand that the benefits and effects can vary from person to person as there are various other factors too that play a major role in the disease or health condition. In order to get more details on green tea or the effect of it on various health conditions, you can consult a doctor which is much easier now with the availability of online medical platforms.