Most of us today are tired of bumps, fatty pockets and increasing health issues, and have tried everything in our power to stay fit and healthy. There are hundreds and thousands of remedies available on the market that promise to put you back in shape and redress health issues. While some doctors suggest medicines and lotions, others claim proper diet, yoga and regular exercise to be very beneficial. But with today’s extremely hectic schedules and lifestyles, we’re hardly left with any time to spare for workouts at the gym or following a strict diet.
Switch to green tea. It’s not just a green liquid, it is a medicinal beverage with a multitude of uses —from preventing cancer to lowering blood pressure and much more. The reason that green tea has more health benefits than other natural products is apparent because of the way it’s processed. Green tea, when processed, retains the maximum amount of antioxidants and polyphenols, like flavonoids and catechins, which give it its plentiful benefits. So, let us discuss some of the health issues drinking green tea, every day, can help you address.
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Weight Loss
Green tea increases metabolic rate. The polyphenol present in the beverage intensifies the fat oxidation level and the rate at which a human body converts food into calories. Several studies, over the years, have shown that regular consumption of green tea can significantly decrease body fat, especially in the abdominal area.
Diabetes
Type II Diabetes is a disease which has reached epidemic proportions and has affected nearly 300 million people all over the world. Green tea helps regulate the level of glucose, further slowing the rise of blood sugar level after meals. A cup of this organic beverage not only prevents high insulin spikes and the resulting fat storage, but also lowers the risk of developing Type II Diabetes.
Heart Disease
Scientists believe that green tea relaxes the lining of blood vessels in order to withstand any changes occurring in blood pressure. It also offers a protection against the formation of clots which are typically the primary cause of heart attacks in most people.
Cholesterol
Eating oily food with high-fat content on a regular basis puts our health at a higher risk of developing high cholesterol and cardiac diseases. Replacing unhealthy food and drinks with green tea can help keep the cholesterol level down. A powerful antioxidant in green tea, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), discourages cholesterol absorption in the large intestine and further boosts the immune system.
Healthy Gums and Teeth
Drinking a cup of tea is usually considered to be bad for our teeth. The hot beverage contains tannic acid which gives it its dark color and can stain tooth enamel. However, the consumption of green tea is actually considered to be beneficial when it comes to our oral health, particularly in avoiding periodontal disease.
Brain Function
Compounds present in green tea, such as caffeine and amino acid L-theanine, have the ability to improve the brain’s function and make you smarter. Caffeine, the active ingredient in green tea, is a known stimulant. The quantity present in this green beverage is less than that found in coffee, yet enough to produce a response which leads to improvement in various aspects of brain’s function including vigilance, mood, reaction time and memory.
Improved Eyesight
Carrots and spinach have long been considered foods that promote good eyesight, but scientists claim that antioxidants found in green tea can penetrate into the eye tissues and produce antioxidant activities. Catechins, a key antioxidant in green tea, have the prowess of being absorbed into the tissues of the eyes easily.
Depression
Theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid in tea leaves. It is this compound that provides a relaxing effect and serves as a great benefit to its consumers. Theanine also affects levels of serotonin and dopamine, which in turn affects mood.
Skin Care
In addition to the aforementioned benefits, the antioxidants present in green tea and their anti-inflammatory activities help fight against wrinkles, other signs of aging, and redness developed after UV exposure in an effective and efficient manner.
Cancer
Cancer is a class of disease characterized by uncontrolled growth of mutated cells. Green tea is an excellent source of powerful antioxidants which have the ability to lower the risk of several types of cancers, especially esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, oral cancer and many cardiovascular diseases. Its strongest antioxidant, EGCG, causes the formation of reactive oxygen species in cancer cells and helps kill them through the annihilation of cell’s mitochondria. It’s in this weakened state that forces the mitochondria to surrender to EGCG and die. Green tea is also suspected to become a possible alternative to chemotherapy.
The green miracle beverage from China has already made its way into the mugs of individuals all over the world for its research-proven and vouched-for health benefits. From weight loss to preventing heart disease, green tea has evolved into a medicinal drink that caters to a host of illnesses. So, add a cup of green tea to your daily plan and welcome a healthy life.
Meggie Haneckow is a niche writer and blogger who loves to write on trending topics and share her personal experiences and knowledge through her writing. She is also a health enthusiast, so she loves to share health-care related tips through her blogs.
