Green tea is not only delicious and refreshing, it’s also got some amazing health benefits! These days, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. Millions of people drink tea every day and studies suggest that green tea in particular has many health benefits.
Green Tea in History
In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, practitioners used green tea as a stimulant, as a diuretic to help rid the body of excess fluid, as an astringent to control bleeding and help heal wounds, and to improve heart health. Other traditional uses of green tea included treating gas, regulating body temperature and blood sugar, promoting digestion, and improving mental processes.
Antioxidants and Your Health
Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and reportedly contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals, the damaging compounds in the body that change cells, damage DNA, and even cause cell death. Many scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process as well as the development of many different health issues, including cancer and heart disease. So not only can green tea ward off a number of health problems, it can also help keep you young!
Weight Loss Benefits
Clinical studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat. One study found that the combination of green tea and caffeine improved weight loss and maintenance in people who were overweight and moderately obese. Green tea, combined with diet and exercise, can really help with your weight loss efforts and your overall health, Columbus fitness centers can help, too!
Diabetes and Other Uses
Green tea has also been used to control blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that green tea may help prevent the development of type 1 diabetes and slow the progression once it has developed. In people with type 1 diabetes, their bodies make little or no insulin, which helps convert glucose or sugar into energy. Green tea may help regulate glucose in the body. Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Green tea may also be useful in inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. Chemicals in green tea may also be help treat genital warts and prevent symptoms of colds and flu. Can you believe all of these great health benefits?
Why Go Green?
Why don’t other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the same plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases and promoting good health.