Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea is the healthiest beverage on the planet .It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. This includes improved brain function, fat loss, a lower risk of cancer and many other incredible benefits.

1. Green Tea Contains Bioactive Compounds That Improve Health

Green tea is more than just green liquid.Many of the bioactive compounds in the tea leaves do make it into the final drink, which contains large amounts of important nutrients.It is loaded with polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants .These substances can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals are known to play a role in aging and all sorts of diseases.

2. Compounds in Green Tea Can Improve Brain Function and Make You Smarter

Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to produce an effect. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine , which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.

3. Green Tea Increases Fat Burning and Improves Physical Performance

Green tea has been shown to boost the metabolic rate and increase fat burning in short term. It increases the fat oxidation by 17 % , indicating that green tea may selectively increase the burning of fat.

4. Antioxidants in Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Various Types of Cancer

Green tea has powerful antioxidants that may protect against cancer. Multiple studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of various types of cancer.

·         Breast cancer: A meta-analysis of observational studies found that women who drank the most green tea had a 22% lower risk of developing breast cancer, the most common cancer in women.

·         Prostate cancer: One study found that men drinking green tea had a 48% lower risk of developing prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men.

·         Colorectal cancer: A study of 69,710 Chinese women found that green tea drinkers had a 57% lower risk of colorectal cancer.

5. Green Tea May Protect Your Brain in Old Age, Lowering Your Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

Not only can green tea improve brain function in the short term, it may also protect your brain in old age .Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in humans and a leading cause of dementia .Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and involves the death of dopamine producing neurons in the brain.

Multiple studies show that the catechin compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models, potentally  lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

6. Green Tea Can Kill Bacteria, Which Improves Dental Health and Lowers Your Risk of Infection

The catechins in green tea have other biological effects as well. Some studies show that they can kill bacteria and inhibit viruses like the influenza virus, potentially lowering your risk of infections . Streptococcus mutans is the primary harmful bacteria in the mouth. It causes plaque formation and is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay.  Green tea can inhibit the growth of streptococcus mutans. Green tea consumption is associated with improved dental health and a lower risk of caries.

7. Green Tea May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes

Type II diabetes is a disease that has reached epidemic proportions in the past few decades and now afflicts about 300 million people worldwide. This disease involves having elevated blood sugar levels in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin. Studies show that green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. Those  who drank the most green tea had a 42% lower risk of developing type II diabetes.

8. Green Tea May Reduce Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the biggest causes of death in the world. Studies show that green tea can improve some of the main risk factors for these diseases .This includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides . Green tea also dramatically increases the antioxidant capability of the blood, which protects the LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway towards heart disease. Green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease .