Green Tea has been a popular choice of drink for many years now. We often hear people say it is a healthier alternative to other teas or coffee, but what exactly are the supposed benefits? A number of studies have been conducted on this topic over the years, and they have found that green tea has benefits across a range of areas. In this blog, we’ll give a quick run-through of some of the main areas in which green tea can be beneficial.
Weight Loss
While there is still no miracle food or drink that will help us drop a few pounds at will, drinking green tea may help. While there are conflicting beliefs in the scientific community about green tea’s effects on weight, studies show it can lead to weight loss. Theories as to why this is range from increasing our metabolism and fat oxidation, making us more energetic and therefore active, to drinking fewer soft drinks as a result of switching to green tea.
Blood
Green tea has been shown to benefit our blood in several ways. Firstly, it helps regulate glucose and insulin levels, thereby reducing our risk of Type II diabetes. It has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But the benefits of green tea to the blood do not just benefit the blood. There are also indirect benefits to other parts of the body from receiving healthier blood.
Heart Disease
Unsurprisingly, healthier blood leads to a healthier heart. In addition to the benefits mentioned above, green tea also increases the blood’s antioxidant abilities, greatly reducing the likelihood of developing heart disease. It has also been observed that green tea can help prevent the formation of blood clots, a leading cause of heart attack. Studies have shown that those who drink green tea are up to 42% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than those who do not.
The Brain
Not only is green tea good for our physical health, it is also good for our mental health. Green tea is often viewed as a relaxing drink, and one reason is L-theanine. L-theanine is an amino acid that increases dopamine levels in our system and improves brain activity & rhythm. The small amount of caffeine that is in green tea (usually less than half of what is in a coffee) provides an extra kick for the brain at the same time.
There have also been numerous studies conducted on the long-term effects of drinking green tea on neurological disorders. Many of these have found that green tea could reduce the prevalence of a number of serious conditions, ranging from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s.
Cancer
It may seem that there is always a new report about which foods are good or bad for cancer growth. Part of this is attributable to the fact that cancer is one of the main health issues we face, so there is a lot of different research being conducted on it at any given time. Another reason is antioxidants, which are substances that protect cells and prevent them from becoming cancerous. Green tea is high in antioxidants and has been linked to reduced cancer risk across a number of areas, which is why it is often brought up in conversations on this subject. While this does not mean it may or may not benefit those who have been diagnosed with cancer already, it is another reason that green tea is a good choice of drink.
Oral Hygiene
Seeing as what we drink has to pass through our mouths, it should come as no surprise that green tea will affect our oral hygiene. Fortunately, the news is good. Green tea reduces plaque buildup in the mouth, helping reduce the effects of tooth decay. Secondly, it also kills bacteria, making the mouth cleaner and reducing the chances of infection. Finally, it is also said that drinking green tea helps with bad breath.
There are many more reasons why green tea is loved by so many people, but far too many to go through here. What is important is that the scientific community generally agrees that green tea is amazingly beneficial to our health in both the short and long term, and is one of the healthiest drink choices out there.
