Green tea is arguably the healthiest drink around. The green drink has always been popular in Asian cultures, and in recent years western countries have realized we are missing out. This beverage is packed with health benefits that make this a must have. We’ve highlighted the many ways green tea will boost your health and help prevent some of the deadliest diseases.
If you are like us then you are probably far more familiar with black tea. Black tea is a staple throughout most of Europe and North America and has some of its own benefits. However, if you compare the nutrient benefits in green tea and black, you will want to make the switch and go green.
Before listing the numerous benefits this drink has on your health, it should be noted that green tea still contains caffeine. Some will find this a positive as caffeine will stimulate your brain and helps boost performance. On the other hand, caffeine can be addictive, and is not something everyone wants to drink. That being said, green tea has a lower quantity of caffeine than black tea or coffee. Despite the caffeine the benefits of green tea far out way any negatives.
Green Tea Nutrition
Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. If you are looking at the nutrition label you will see a lot of zeroes. You’re probably wondering how something with no significant source of any vitamins or nutrients can be so good for you. To start off sometimes zeroes are a good thing. There are no calories or carbohydrates meaning you can drink it without worrying about gaining weight. But the true benefits of this tea come from what is left off of the nutrition label.
Green tea is full of flavonoids and catechins that work wonders in your body and have a significant impact on your health.
Green Tea Benefits
One awesome benefit of green tea is that it helps you lose weight. It has been proven to help boost your metabolism over a short term, which naturally translates into burning more body fat. A weight loss boost of any size is nothing to snuff at. This drink has proven to lower your risk of obesity.
Green tea also boosts your health in general. The leaves used for green tea are a great source of a variety of antioxidants your body needs. These antioxidants can help reduce the signs of aging and help prevent disease in the body. There is something in green tea called Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which has medicinal properties used to treat many diseases.
Green tea can also protect your brain from aging. This green drink has shown to protect brain neurons and lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This wonder drink can also help prevent type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin sensitivity. It has been shown to lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) and help prevent cardiovascular disease.
Green tea can kill bad bacteria. Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, so drinking green tea is a perfect way to kill that bacteria and improve your oral hygiene. On top of that, it also helps prevent infection. As if it couldn’t get any better, by killing off the bacteria in your mouth, the tea freshens your breath.
Probably the most amazing thing about green tea is how much it reduces the risk of different forms of cancer. Studies have shown green tea to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women by 22%. Men who drink green tea have a 48% lower risk of developing prostate cancer, and a 57% lower risk of colorectal cancer in women. These numbers are huge. This alone is enough reason to start drinking green tea. It’s not a cure but its preventative nature is still fantastic.
Green tea is a wonder drink that you should add to your day if it isn’t there already. It tastes great and will result in a healthier you.
