Green tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It is made from the leaves of the plant Camellia Sinensis and although it first originated in China, its popularity has spread across Asia and the rest of the world.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
The reason green tea has become so popular is because of its many health benefits. Let’s take a look at the most important health benefits of green tea:
- Green tea is high in antioxidants – If you we had to pick only one benefit of drinking green tea, this would be it. The fact that green tea has so many flavonoids in it (which are plant-derived antioxidants) and catechins make it an antioxidant power bomb! Did you know that there have been studies which proved that catechins are more powerful than Vitamin E and C when it comes to stopping damage to cells from occurring? Drink up if you want to stay or get healthy!
- Green tea can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, including breast, lung, skin, colon, bladder and esophageal – According to the National Cancer Institute and their research, the polyphenols in green tea have been shown to help decrease tumor growth. The same polyphenols also help protect against damage cause by UVB radiation. Did you know that countries which drink lots of green tea have lower cancer rates?
- Green tea can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease – A recent study published in the American Medical Association Journal has revealed that green tea can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease. The massive study followed over 40,000 Japanese individuals between the ages of 40 and 79 for 11 years. It was concluded that the people who drank at least 5 cups of green tea every day has a significantly lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who didn’t.
- Green tea reduces cholesterol levels – Another study found that drinking high amount of green tea will indeed lower cholesterol levels.
- Green tea reduces hypertension – Yet another study that toots the benefits of green tea has revealed that green tea will reduce hypertension by half in regular consumers of green tea, compared to non-consumers.
- Green tea helps promote weight loss – Did you know that if you drink one cup of green tea on an empty stomach, it will reduce your appetite? Make sure you use stevia or honey to sweeten it and avoid sugar.
- Green tea vs Coffee – If you are addicted to coffee and you want to give it up, know that green tea is the perfect replacement. Green tea has caffeine, so it will give you the kick you need! Drink it cold or benefit and you’ll get the same results.