Ajit Karn
Health Benefits of Green Tea: Is green tea better for you than black tea? Does it contain caffeine? Can it help ward off disease?
What is green tea?
Camellia sinensis produces all teas, including builder’s. Brewing these uncooked, unfermented leaves turns them emerald green, thus the name green tea.
East Asians drink and grow green tea for its health benefits, which dates back 5,000 years.
Green tea benefits may include:
- High in polyphenols which protect the body against disease
- Natural stimulants, including caffeine, may enhance brain function
- Boosted metabolism
- Beneficial effect on blood sugar control
- Reduced risk of heart disease
Nutritional profile of green tea
Green tea’s bioactive components provide health advantages, yet it has no macronutrients.
These chemicals depend on the tea, temperature, and steeping duration. Allow the heated water to cool before pouring over the tea leaves and steeping for 2-3 minutes. Antioxidants are best preserved at warm and ambient temperatures.
What are the top 5 health benefits of green tea?
5 Health Benefits of Green Tea:
1. High in protective polyphenols
Polyphenols help maintain a healthy diet and prevent illness. Fruit, vegetables, and other unprocessed foods contain these antioxidants. Due to its plant ingredients and unprocessed nature, green tea offers several health advantages. Catechins and EGCG are green tea’s most bioactive flavonoids.
2. May boost brain function
Green tea includes caffeine, which may help maintain alertness and attention. Green tea also contains L-theanine, which relaxes by boosting GABA, dopamine, and serotonin. Green tea polyphenols may decrease brain aging.
3. May boost fat burning
Green tea may enhance metabolism and fat burning, according to study. Caffeine and catechins’ thermogenic effects may explain this.
4. May support blood sugar control
Green tea may lower blood sugar through increasing insulin sensitivity.
5. May reduce the risk of heart disease
According to research, green tea may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and related conditions, such as stroke. One method it may aid is through its cholesterol-lowering properties.
Is green tea safe for everyone?
If you have been diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia, you should be aware that green tea, like other types of tea, contains tannins. These compounds inhibit iron absorption; therefore, it is best to avoid consuming tea with iron-rich meals and wait at least one hour before having a cup.
Due to the health benefits of green tea, a number of ‘health’ products contain negligible amounts of green tea. However, there are few indications that these products are efficacious. If you intend to use green tea for medicinal purposes, you should consult your physician to ensure that you can do so safely.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, you should limit the number of caffeinated beverages you consume per day. Caffeine can disrupt sleep and, in some people, increase anxiety; if this applies to you, reduce your caffeine consumption and strive to consume your last caffeinated beverage around noon.
