As an ancient beverage, green tea has a long history to it and its medicinal values were not exactly as well known to the western world as it was in China. Many people today swear by green tea which is promoted as a drink with many health benefits, but still not many might know the actual health boost it gives to our systems.
To begin with, green tea was not always a public or a common beverage in history. Since it was hugely expensive to procure, it was a drink considered for royalty and the nobility of Chinese society. Simply put it was a rich man’s luxury. It was after the collapse of the Mongolian dynasty that everyone started enjoying the delights of green tea that was soon carried to the western world.
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What makes green tea so effective? Green tea is rich with polyphenols which are medically proven to reduce inflammation and fight cancer. The antioxidants in green tea namely catechins prevent free radical damage, or in simpler terms, it is like your very own youth preserver! It delays premature ageing and many age-related health issues.
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Epigallocatechin 3 Gallete commonly known as EGCG is perhaps the most potent compound in green tea which makes it so healthy. Apart from these compounds, green tea has many essential vitamins and minerals. So now the question is what are the health benefits that these super ingredients provide you. What exactly happens to your body when you drink green tea regularly? Here is a complete list of at least 12 reasons which makes green tea healthy enough to be consumed daily.
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According to a Japanese study, it has been proven that green tea reduces the threat of type 2 diabetes by almost by 42%. Besides improving metabolism, the polyphenols and catechins have sugar decreasing abilities which also regulate glucose.
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Green tea can improve all 3 types of cholesterol from your blood. It reduces the bad LDL and VLDL cholesterol, and increase HDL or good cholesterol. It also improves triglyceride levels. If these risk factors are removed, the risks of serious cardiovascular disease is greatly reduced by 31%.
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As we had discussed earlier, the polyphenolic compounds that include catechins in green tea actually protect your cardiovascular system from any serious damages. It also reduces the chances of stroke or heart attacks by cutting down the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides levels in our system. Moreover, the biggest benefit of green tea is that it prevents atherosclerosis which is plaque buildup in arteries impeding blood flow to the heart and causing poor circulation and heart disease.
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The prime benefits of anti-oxidants in our bodies are to prevent the development of different types of cancer. And since green tea is full anti-oxidant properties, it is a natural cancer fighter too. According to research, green tea reduces the chances of breast cancer by 20-30% and another study revealed that green tea reduces the risk of prostate cancer by 48% and colorectal cancer by 42%. One large-scale study found that green tea could also reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer by 50% especially in women.
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The anti-oxidant properties of green tea reduce digestion related problems such as ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory Bowel diseases, and Crohn’s disease. Green tea improves digestion by preventing nausea, diarrhea, and constipation.
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Daily consumption of green tea can reduce the effects of alcohol. It safeguards our precious liver and also the catechins in the green tea reduces the chances of liver tumors. However a word of caution here. While green tea can do much to protect the liver, high doses of ingredients found in green tea supplements can be damaging to the liver. This isn’t true only for green tea but with all health supplements and certain vitamins like niacin which in large quantities can be harsh on the liver. It is better to stick to tea where you can easily drink up to 6 cups a day.
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We all know caffeine is a mood enhancer and if taken in a controlled amount it also improves memory, vigilance, reaction time and other aspects of brain functions too. However, if you aren’t comfortable with caffeine, you can also get decaffeinated green tea.
Green tea has L-theanine which is an amino acid that boosts the ability of GABA which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter with anti-anxiety effects. Needless to say, the combination of these compounds makes our brain super efficient.
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Yes, you better believe it. This reason alone can make millions of young ladies be the biggest fan of this beverage. The logic is simple; green tea accelerates your body metabolism which burns fat and makes you lose weight. The studies have proven that it reduces body fat, especially in the abdominal area. In fact, one meticulous study even showed that green tea reduces not only body fat but also body fat percentage, belly fat and waist circumference!
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The catechins in green tea are a powerful disinfectant which destroys harmful bacteria and prevents viruses like influenza. They also prevent primary mouth bacteria growth such as Streptococcus mutans. This further reduces the risk of cavities and caries. It improves general dental health and also prevents bad breath.
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Some studies show that green tea consumption can also strengthen bones because it is alkaline in nature. This prevents minerals from your bones leaking out to counter high blood acidity. It helps the body maintain a good level of blood pH. Studies have also observed to some extent that green tea is anti-inflammatory and blocks the molecules that cause rheumatoid arthritis.
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Green tea can prevent wrinkles and slow down aging because of the anti-oxidants present in it. Green tea prevents skin damage caused by environmental factors. It can also help in relief from psoriasis and the redness associated with rosacea.
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Polyphenols contained in green tea especially the EGCG protects cellular DNA and skin cells from the damaging effects of UV rays of the sun. In fact, studies have shown that green tea offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays so it is like your natural internal sunscreen.
As you all know, warm tea is an excellent remedy for coughs and colds so what better than green tea that provides medicinal benefits too. However, when purchasing green tea, it should be of a good organic quality and best consumed without sugar.