Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea is known to offer remarkable health benefits to people who consume it on a regular basis. It has its origins in China although it is now manufactured in several parts of the world. Ready-to-consume green tea is produced from Camellia sinensis, a tea plant. A special technique involving very minimal oxidation levels of the leaves is employed in producing Green tea from Camellia sinensis leaves. This is what sets it apart from other types of tea and allows it to provide the human body with innumerable health benefits.

A few of the major Green tea benefits are listed below

Weight Loss

One of the most popular and widely known Green tea benefits is weight loss. Green tea works to improve the metabolic rate of the body. In other words, it helps in burning fat from the body at a much faster rate. This happens due to the presence of caffeine and catechin polyphenols present in Green tea. Approximately 70 extra calories can be burned in a day solely by drinking four to five glasses of Green tea. This is especially helpful to people who have hit a weight-loss plateau and are in need of a boost to the metabolism.

Antioxidant

The large amounts of antioxidants that form a part of Green tea are responsible for several of its benefits. During the production of Green tea, the leaves do not undergo heavy processing which keeps its antioxidants intact. The disease fighting ability of Green tea is mainly due to the powerful antioxidants it contains. It has abundant quantities of epigallocatechin gallate. This antioxidant is very effective in protecting cells and ridding the body of malignant ones. It does not create any side effects in the process.

Cholesterol levels

Green tea benefits us greatly by keeping in check the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) while simultaneously raising good cholesterol (HDL).

Remedy for type 2 Diabetes and blood pressure

Being a rich source of polyphenols and polysaccharides, Green tea helps in lowering of the sugar level in the blood as well as blood pressure. It is therefore considered to prevent the onset of Diabetes, mainly Type 2. The lowering of blood sugar levels also helps in controlling cravings for carbs and other foods that are sugary in nature. Angiotensis II is a chemical that makes the blood vessels within the body choke. Green tea has the ability to smother this chemical keeping blood pressure under control.

Skin Problems

Green tea is a natural solution for any skin-related concern such as blemishes and wrinkles. It is also a solution to other skin problems such as warts, psoriasis and acne.

Elevated immunity levels

Green Tea possesses certain antiviral properties that prevent the onset of contagious diseases and flu. It kills bacteria such as clostridium and staphylococcus when they enter the body. The bronchial tubes are protected by Theophylline in Green tea. This greatly eases the suffering of asthma patients. The antibacterial properties of Green tea prevent tooth decay by destroying harmful germs.

Arthritis

Green tea can keep arthritis at bay by stifling enzymes in the body that cause damage to bone cartilage.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

When the level of the chemical acetylcholine reduces in the brain, Alzheimer’s disease could be caused. Green tea has the ability to slow down the reduction of acetylcholine, thereby slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s. Green tea can also protect brain cells against destruction. This greatly reduces the chances of contracting Parkinson’s disease.

HIV

As mentioned before, Green tea has antibacterial properties that reduce the ease with which viruses such as HIV can get attached to healthy cells of the body.

Green tea has been avoided by many, owing to its bitter taste. However, it is important to realize that if brewed in the correct manner and proportions, Green tea benefits would not only be enhanced, it would also make for a great choice of beverage that is full of good taste.