Green Tea Benefits: A Health Wonder

green tea benefits

All tea lovers, here is some good news for you! Your favorite drink can help you boost health. Studies have found that green tea helps reduce several types of cancer and lower heart disease risk. A native of China, green tea benefits are aplenty, helping promote good health. Unlike coffee, green tea offers lesser doses of caffeine and is thus a more beneficial alternative to the former.Green tea belongs to the Camellia Sinensis plant genus, very much like oolong tea and black tea.





The Green Tea- Antioxidant Connection
Green tea is widely popular for its antioxidants, found in a group of polyphenols known as ‘catechins’ - which are seen as beneficial in preventing cellular damage that results in cancer. Green tea is enriched with catechins due to its processing. The processing involves heating the leaves for a brief period before drying them, which clears the enzymes that are otherwise responsible for breaking down of the catechins, thus protecting its potent antioxidant property.

Reduces Cancer Risk 

health benefits of green tea

Thanks to its polyphenpols, green tea benefits are galore, helping prevent bladder cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer patients. A few clinical studies claim that polyphenols in green tea help kill cancerous cells, thus preventing the risk of cancer. Clinical studies on animals confirm that green tea inhibits growth of breast cancer cells due to polyphenols. Many studies claim that women drinking green tea regularly are at a lesser risk of breast cancer. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main polyphenol in green tea, which, according to studies, has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. As a result, green tea is being seen as a potent weapon to prevent development and growth of skin tumors and cancerous cells.

Lowers Chances of Liver Disease
If you drink green tea daily, you are less likely to develop liver problems, according to clinical studies. Animal studies show that green tea lowers risk of liver tumors in mice. One of the key health benefits of green tea is that it helps protect liver from the harmful effects of toxic substances, including alcohol.

Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Additional green tea health benefits include a lower risk for heart disease, thanks to its antioxidant properties. The antioxidants help increase good cholesterol (HDL), block oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol, and improve artery function while reducing hypertension risk, thus improving heart health. According to a Chinese study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, regular consumers of green tea are at a reduced risk of hypertension than those who do not drink tea regularly.

Improves Weight loss
Research links green tea extract to weight loss. Green tea is extremely beneficial for overweight or obese people as it boosts metabolism and helps burn fat. This wonder herb delivers hydration to the body, helping it to perform at optimal levels, boosting your energy levels.

green tea benefits

Other Green Tea Benefits

• The herb has diuretic properties and promotes urination. 
• In China, green tea is used as a tonic for weak hearts. 
• Since it contains caffeine, green tea is taken as a mild stimulant to deal with fatigue. 
• One study claims that green tea helps prevent dental cavities, though more research is under way in this regard. 
• Green tea may help patients suffering from inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Research suggests that this herb may help reduce inflammation and slow down the breakdown of cartilage. 
• Green tea extract may help prevent cold and flu symptoms and treat genital warts.

Precautions

• Green tea should not be consumed in large quantities before bed time, especially if you are troubled with sleeping problems. 
• It may cause nervousness,  insomnia, among other symptoms of excess caffeine intake.
• As a major source of oxalate, excess intake of green tea may cause kidney stones. 
• Pregnant and lactating women should avoid green tea,
• If you are suffering from diabetes, anemia, osteoporosis, or glaucoma, it is best to consult with your health care provider before consuming green tea.

Used in moderation, green tea benefits are galore for most people. Excess intake of green tea may be associated with some risks.

References

• http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20060217/green-tea-may-do-wonders-for-brain
• http://tracysmith.co.uk/green-tea-wonder-drink/
• http://caloriecount.about.com/wonders-green-tea-b505808
• http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/green-tea
• http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea
• http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21771
• http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Heart_Letter/2012/December/green-tea-may-lower-heart-disease-risk
• http://www.herbalsafety.utep.edu/facts.asp?ID=30

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