The Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It originated as a herbal loose tea in China but has been widely used throughout Asia to prevent and treat many ailments. All teas contain healthy anti-oxidants, but the way in which green tea leaves are processed it allows it to retain a higher level of these anti-oxidants than in other teas. So green tea is deemed to be a healthier option.

So what are the health benefits of green tea?

Phytochemicals are natural, biologically active compounds found in plants. One class of phytochemicals, called flavonoids, contains over 4,000 compounds with many potential health benefits. Catechins are a type of flavonoid found in certain foods and they are particularly prevalent in Green Tea. They are potent antioxidants that may help protect you from potentially damaging chemicals called free radicals. It is catechins that provide Green tea with its anti-viral and antibacterial qualities and also promotes cell regeneration and protects cells from external damage. This is why scientists have discovered that Green Tea can also help to combat specific types of cancer and delay the onset of Alzheimers and Parkinson’s disease.

Theanine is a muscle relaxant and is present in both green and black teas. Known to have a calming effect on the body, it is recommended for sufferers of depression and it will also reduce the amount of harmful lipoproteins in the body, thus lowering cholesterol levels. Theanine levels in green tea have been found to lower high blood pressure and can help to maintain the blood vessels in order to with stand a constant and steady blood flow thus avoiding clots and heart attacks. Green tea can also help to regulate glucose levels when consumed after a meal which can be beneficial for Diabetics.

On a more aesthetic level, green tea increases the metabolism and is widely used in weight loss programs. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories. It is also becoming increasingly popular as an anti-aging product as it apparently can reduce wrinkling in the skin.

So whether you are drinking green tea to be healthier or you are wanting to ward off old age, the recommended dosage is three cups a day as it does contain caffeine and is a diuretic. But as with everything, excess is to be avoided and with a thousand year legacy of health improvement maybe we should all be partaking in our three cups a day.

Author Bio:

Sarah is a keen writer who is extremely interested in tea and coffee. She currently writes for Ringtons Beverages, providers of tea, coffee and confectionary.