1. High in protective polyphenols
compounds called polyphenols are known to protect the body against diseases and make an important contribution towards a healthy balanced diet.These antioxidant compounds are found in a wide range of fruits, vegetables and other unprocessed foods.Green tea has numerous health benefits,many of which are attributed to the fact that,it is largely unprocessed and rich in these plant compounds.The main bioactive compounds in green tea are flavonoids, with the most potent being catechins and epigallocatechin-3-gallate ( EGCG). EGCG is one of the most powerful compounds in green tea. Research has tested it’s ability to help treat various diseases. It appears to be one of the main compounds that gives green tea its medicinal properties.
Green Tea also has small amounts of minerals that can benefit your health.
Try to choose a higher quality brand of green tea because some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive amounts of fluoride.
That been said, even if you choose a lower quality brand, the benefits still outweighs any risk.
In summary,
Green Tea is loaded with polyphenol antioxidants including a catechin called EGCG.These antioxidants can have beneficial effects on health .
2. May improve brain function
Green Tea does more than just keep you alert,it may also help boost brain function.The key active ingredient is caffeine, which is a known stimulant.
It doesn’t contain as much as coffee but enough to produce a response without causing the jittery effects associated with taking in too much caffeine.
Caffeine affects the brain by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine,this way,it increases the firing of neurons and the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.
Research has consistently shown that caffeine can improve various aspects of brain function including mood, vigilance, reaction time and memory.
However, caffeine isn’t the only brain boosting compound in green tea, it also contains amino acid L-theanine, which can cross the blood -brain barrier.
L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GA BA , which has anti-anxiety effects.It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain.
Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects.This means that ,the combination of the two can have particularly powerful effects in improving brain function.
Because of the L-theanine and the small dose of caffeine, green tea may give you a much milder and different kind buzz than coffee.
Many people report having more stable energy and being much more productive when they drink green tea compared with coffee.
In Summary,
Green Tea contains less caffeine than coffee but enough to produce effect.It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.
3. Increases fat burning
If you look at the ingredients list for any fat burning supplement, chances are that green tea will be there.
This is because, according to research, green tea can increase fat burning and boost metabolic rate.
In one study involving 10 healthy men taking green tea extract increased the number of calories burned by 4%. In another involving 12 healthy men, green tea extract increased fat oxidation by 17% compared with those taking placebo
However,some studies on green tea don’t show any increase in metabolism.So the effects may depend on the individual and how the study was set up.
Caffeine may also improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from fat tissues and making them available for use as energy.
Two separate review studies reported that caffeine may increase physical performance by approximately 11-12%
In Summary,
Green tea may boost metabolic rate and increase fat burning in the short term, although not all studies agree
4. The antioxidants in green tea may lower the risk of some Cancer
Cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells.It is one of the world’s leading causes of death.
Research has shown that oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation, which can lead to chronic diseases including cancers. Antioxidants can help protect against oxidative damage.
Green tea is an excellent source of powerful antioxidants.
Research has linked green tea compounds with a reduced risk of cancer including
✓ Breast Cancer. A comprehensive review of observational studies found that women who drank the most green tea had an approximately 20-30% lower risk of developing Breast cancer,one of the most common cancers in women..
✓ Prostate Cancer .One study observed that men drinking green tea had a lower risk of advanced prostate cancer
✓ Colorectal Cancer. An analysis of 29 studies showed that those drinking green tea were around 42% less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
Many observational studies indicate that green tea drinkers are less likely to develop several types of cancer but more high quality research is needed to confirm these effects.
To get the most of health benefits, avoid adding milk to your tea,some studies suggests,it can reduce the antioxidant value in some teas.
In Summary,
Green tea has powerful antioxidants that may protect against cancer, multiple studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of various types of cancer.
5. May protect the brain from aging
Not only can green tea improve brain function in the short term,it may also protect your brain as you age.
Alzheimer’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia in older adults, Parkinson’s disease is another common neurodegenerative disease and involves the death of dopamine – producing Neurons in the brain.
Several studies show that the catechin compounds in green can have various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models, possibly lowering the risk of dementia
In Summary,
The bioactive compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on the brain.They may reduce the risk of dementia,a common neurodegenerative disorder in older adults.
6. May reduce bad breath.
The catechins in green tea also have benefits for oral health
Test-tube studies suggest that catechins can suppress the growth of bacteria, potentially lowering the risk of infections, streptococcus mutans is a common bacterium in the mouth,it causes plaque formation and is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay.
Studies indicate that,the catechins in green tea can inhibit the growth of oral bacteria in the laboratory but no evidence shows that green tea has similar effects.
However, there’s some evidence that green tea may reduce bad breath.
In Summary,
The catechins in green tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of bad breath.
Written by Nguhemen Fiona Kpagh
