Green tea has been used for medicinal purposes in China for thousands of years, and today its popularity is spreading to other regions of the world due to the healing properties it is said to have. While opinions vary and more studies are needed, research indicates drinking green tea can provide many health benefits. Here are just a few.
1. Aids Weight Loss & Maintenance
Green tea is reported to increase the metabolism as the polyphenol present in the tea helps to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate the body turns food into calories.
2. Is Good for the Skin
This tea can apparently also help minimize wrinkles by slowing down the signs of aging through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Antioxidants bind to free radicals, deactivating them before they can cause harm.
3. Can Help Reduce Stress & Guard Against Depression
Green tea is rich in an amino acid known as L-theanine, which has the ability to induce relaxation and stress relief. This amino acid has a positive effect on one’s mood by altering the levels of key neurotransmitters associated with mood such as serotonin, GABA and dopamine.
5. Helps Reduce Bad Cholesterol Aiding Cardiovascular Health Green tea contains catechins, polyphenolic compounds that are known to exert numerous protective effects on the cardiovascular system. These catechins reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol in the blood, improving the ratio of good to bad cholesterol.
6. Contains Anti-Cancer Properties
Many studies have shown the antioxidant properties of green tea, which fight against free radicals, can help inhibit formation of a wide range of cancers. And why specifically green tea over others such as black tea? Made solely from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis, during processing of green tea the leaves are not fermented before steaming and drying, allowing the tea to retain the antioxidants and polyphenols that are responsible for its many benefits.
So go ahead, enjoy a cup or two! 127