What is the Benefit of Green Tea?

One report by the Harvard Medical School states how green tea can protect the heart and prevent disease.

One study that analyzed the typical Japanese diet concluded that green tea might enhance life expectancy. This could be attributed to the various ways green tea positively impacts health, all of which compound and help one live longer.

Green tea has also shown to dramatically increase the antioxidant capacity of blood

The catechins in green tea play a major role in boosting your immune function. The tea protects against oxidants and radicals, thereby enhancing immunity

Green tea catechins can also help prevent atherosclerosis, a major cause of cardiovascular disease.

Green tea does contain caffeine, but not as much as coffee. Hence, it offers you the benefits of caffeine without producing the jittery effects of too much of it. Caffeine blocks the activity of adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain

The antioxidants in green tea can promote digestive health. The catechins in green tea slow down the activity of digestive enzymes. This means the intestines don’t absorb all of the calories consumed, and this means a potential added advantage – enhanced weight loss.

The long-term intake of green tea was associated with improved blood pressure levels. Studies suggest drinking 3 to 4 cups of the tea per day to help regulate blood pressure. One study also stated that as a result of lowered blood pressure (due to green tea consumption),

Green tea can sensitize cells so that they are able to metabolize sugar better, improving diabetes symptoms. It also works great for diabetics because it enhances the metabolic system function. And green tea polyphenols regulate glucose levels in the body, cutting diabetes risk.

EGCG in green tea can also improve colitis symptoms. Colitis is an inflammatory disorder in the gastrointestinal tract. Green tea also offers vitamins B, C, and E – which are important for digestion.

Green tea also prevents tooth decay by limiting the development of bacterial plaque. The polyphenols in green tea fight plaque by suppressing glucosyltransferase, a compound oral bacteria use to feed on sugar

The EGCG in green tea, as per studies, can potentially improve quality of life for people who have Down Syndrome. It protects the body from cell damage that can contribute to certain syndromes that occur in individuals with Down Syndrome

Korean study has shown that drinking 6 or more cups of green tea can cut the risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 33 percent. But do consult your doctor regarding the dosage – as 6 cups of green tea a day may not be safe (may be too much caffeine).

Down Syndrome is caused when the individuals have three copies of the chromosome number 21 (people usually have two). Green tea was found to limit the ill effects of this third chromosome, which is responsible for some serious symptoms of the disease.

How green tea lowers blood sugar levels is an interesting story. The consumption of starch leads to its breaking down into simple sugars by amylase (an enzyme) so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream

Since it is high in antioxidants, green tea is believed to detoxify an abused liver and relieve hangover symptoms. However, green tea was also found to cause liver toxicity in certain studies. Hence, consult your doctor before using green tea for this (or any) purpose.

The antioxidants in green tea play a big role in enhancing skin health. The tea helps eliminate dark circles and treats puffy eyes – and also exhibits anti-aging effects.

Green tea can also increase fat burning during exercise. This was found in one UK study, where ingestion of green tea extract increased fat oxidation during moderate intensity exercise

Green tea can also boost your metabolic rate – which basically means that it may slightly elevate your basal metabolic rate. Green tea can also modulate the genes related to energy metabolism.

Green tea has also shown promise in improving the health of the bones and cartilage.

Green tea does contain caffeine, but not as much as coffee. Hence, it offers you the benefits of caffeine without producing the jittery effects of too much of it

Both caffeine and L-theanine in green tea, together, can have better effects as they have been found to work in synergy.

Green tea can also aid in the treatment or prevention of serious brain ailments like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons’ disease. Studies have found that individuals who drank green tea once to six times in a week had fewer chances of mental decline

Studies have stated that people who drank green tea had better oral health than those who didn’t. Another Indian study says how green tea can be a boon for periodontal health.

Green tea also prevents tooth decay by limiting the development of bacterial plaque.