Green tea -A powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients
The unfermented leaves of Camellia Sinensis offers benefits like brain power, lose fat and lowers cancer risk etc. You can easily have 2-3 cups in a day for polyphenols.
Green tea has powerful antioxidants like polyphenols-flavonoids and catechins. These reduce free radical damage in the body.Green tea has powerful medicinal properties due to antioxidant
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).It also has some important minerals. A low quality green tea has more fluoride.
- It has a key active ingredient and stimulant Caffeine. It increases concentration of neurotransmitters like Dopamine and norepinephrine. Caffeine and L-theanine improve brain function. It improves mood, reaction time, memory and vigilance.
- Studies have shown that green tea enhances fat burning .Green tea increases fat burning by 17% and energy output by 4%.It also burns fat stores for energy and improves physical performance.
- Green tea protects against cancers particularly Breast cancer, Prostate cancer and Colorectal cancer.
- Adding milk to green tea reduces the antioxidant value.
- Green tea improves brain function in neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson and Alzheimer’s and lowers their risk.
- Studies show Green tea to improve dental health and lower bad breath, dental cavities and tooth decay. It discourages various viruses especially the Influenza virus and kills bacteria.
- Green tea has shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood glucose. Study in Japanese group has shown 42% lower risk of Type-2 Diabetes.
- Green Tea drinkers have 31% lower risk of Cardiovascular disease. It protects LDL cholesterol oxidation and thus heart disease.
- Green tea has shown decrease in belly fat. A controlled trial for 12 weeks showed significant decrease in body weight, abdominal fat, body fat percentage and waist circumference.
- Green tea raises longevity. A study in Japanese adults aged 65-84 yrs old showed 76% less chances of dying in 6 years study period. Death by stroke is lowered by 42% in women and 35% in men. Heart disease deaths are 31% less in women and 22% in men.
References:
Journ of Nutr 2008
Ann.Intern medicine 2006
Am journ of Clin nutr 2008
Atherosclerosis 2000
Karger 1991
Obesity June 2007
Annal of Epidemiol Oct 2009
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