How Is Green Tea Good For You

Health Benefits From Green Tea

The health benefits of green tea have been a subject matter of discussion amongst tea enthusiasts everywhere. Being a storehouse of many antioxidant compounds, its easy to assume that green tea is one of the healthiest beverages. In fact, traditional Chinese medicine has staunchly held that drinking green tea helps relieve body aches and pains, aids digestion, impacts the process of detoxification, and, generally, enhances the quality of life. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated that the aqueous extract of green tea polyphenols contains antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties.

In vitro studies and clinical trials that take into account biomarkers of oxidative stress provide strong evidence that green tea polyphenols can play an important role in reducing the risk of several chronic diseases, including prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Some studies have also tried to study the benefits of green tea on bone density, dental caries, and kidney function, and have come forward with promising results. However, results from epidemiological studies and in vivo clinical trials that try to establish a definite relationship between consuming green tea and human health are conflicting and inconclusive, at this point.

Green tea and cancer;;;;

Green Tea Can Lower Your Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is becoming an epidemic in the United States, with nearly 10% of the population having this condition . Drinking green tea could lower your risk. Compared to those who drank one cup per week, participants who drank more than six cups of tea per day had an astonishing 33% lower risk of type 2 diabetes . This effect remained even after researchers controlled for factors such as age, sex, and body mass index.

Drinking Green Tea Can Improve Your Appearance

Green tea can even improve your appearance! In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Nutrition, green tea was show to boost skin elasticity and hydration and help protect against ultraviolet lightinduced skin damage. If you start drinking real green tea regularly you will absolutely see an improvement in your overall skin quality.

NOTE: Add more benefits of green tea by enjoying this morning smoothie: Green Tea Smoothie or a Matcha Cocktail in the evening!

Don’t Miss: How Much Is Kung Fu Tea Franchise

Antioxidants In Green Tea Boost The Immune System

Drinking green tea might fend of the sniffles this winter. In a randomized controlled trial, 32% fewer participants taking green tea extract developed cold or flu symptoms compared to a placebo control group . The exact mechanisms behind this effect are unknown, but they could be related to the vitamin C content in green tea.

Buying Bulk For Your Consumption

Besides taking note of the expiry date, buy green tea leaves that can last for you up to 3 months because buying too many stocks will make the leaves too old for steeping. It is not true that storing green tea for many years will make an aged and better-tasting tea. The freshest tea is the one with proper storage and won’t take too long for the leaves to be made into tea.

Recommended Reading: What’s In Green Tea

How To Consume Green Tea

The United Kingdom Tea Council recommends drinking not more than 6 cups of tea a day. For the best health benefits, 3 to 4 cups is recommended. However, doses of green tea vary significantly, but usually range between 1-5 cups daily is considered safe. The commonly used dose of green tea is based on the amount typically consumed in Asian countries, which is about 3 cups per day, providing 240-320 mg of the active ingredients, polyphenols. To make tea, people typically use 1 tsp of tea leaves in 8 ounces of boiling water.

Drink green tea when its freshly made but slightly cooled. Scalding tea can damage your digestive system. Moreover, recent studies suggest that too much hot tea can promote throat cancer. Compounds in tea like catechins, theanine, and vitamins C and B diminish over time through oxidation, so the health benefits are strongest with fresh tea. If youre brewing the same tea leaves, brew them in moderation. With each successive infusion, cancerous substances in the leaves themselves are drawn out and can even be toxic. Old tea can also harbour bacteria, especially since its antibacterial properties diminish with time.

How To Prepare Green Tea

The tea you use, temperature and steeping time all have a significant effect on the antioxidant levels of brewed green tea. Warm and ambient temperatures are the best to retain antioxidants. Let the boiling water cool slightly before pouring onto the tea leaves, and allow to steep for between 2 and 3 minutes.

Don’t Miss: Does Detox Tea Work For Alcohol

A Primer On The Immune System

The immune system is composed of white blood cells, which are then differentiated into five different type of immune cells.;One of those is a group of cells called lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes are then broken down even further into B cells, as well as T cells, which have their own subset of cells called T helper cells, T regulatory cells, cytotoxic T cells and T suppressor cells.

The immune system can be confusing, so rather than describe these cells in detail, Ill use a real life example of how it works.

Lets say you cut yourself with a dirty knife.; Bacteria penetrate your skin, engaging a first line of defense from our immune system called a macrophage .

Macrophages are like big, fat security guards wielding tiny billy clubs – ineffective, but theyll slow an invader down while they call on more sophisticated security guards.

When confronted with an invader, macrophages call on their friends, the T helper cells. The T helper cells tell the entire immune system through a series of chemical signals that there has been an invader that has crossed the barrier.

Specifically, the T helper cells call directly on two types of cells, cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, both soldiers with muscle that live up to their name and help attack and kill the bacterial invaders.

Once the bacteria have been killed, it is time for the immune system to call off the attack, which is the job of the T suppressor cells, who suppress the fight.

But heres what you really need to know:

Myth: Green Tea Boosts Metabolism

While a few small-scale studies have linked an increased metabolic rate to drinking green tea , the only truly variable factor in your basal metabolic rate is increasing your lean body mass, a.k.a. building muscle. That’s why strength training is key to keeping your metabolism up for the long-term, and crucial to bone, muscle, and immune function, which ultimately helps to support metabolism over time. The only real, tried-and-true way drinking green tea will help boost your metabolism? By helping you wake up to get your tush to the gym.

Don’t Miss: Does Twisted Tea Have Sugar

What Do We Know About Safety

• Green tea, when consumed as a beverage, is believed to be safe when used in amounts up to 8 cups per day. Keep in mind that only the amount of added caffeine must be stated on product labels and not the caffeine that naturally occurs in green tea.
• Drinking green tea may be safe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding when consumed in amounts up to 6 cups per day . Drinking more than this amount during pregnancy may be unsafe and may increase the risk of negative effects. Green tea may also increase the risk of birth defects associated with folic acid deficiency. Caffeine passes into breast milk and can affect a breastfeeding infant.
• Although uncommon, liver problems have been reported in a number of people who took green tea products, primarily green tea extracts in pill form. People with liver disease should consult a health care provider before taking products with green tea extract. People taking green tea extracts, especially those with liver disease, should discontinue use and consult a health care provider if they develop symptoms of liver trouble .
• Green tea is an ingredient in many over-the-counter weight loss products, some of which have been identified as the likely cause of rare cases of liver injury.
• Green tea at high doses has been shown to reduce blood levels and therefore the effectiveness of the drug nadolol, a beta-blocker used for high blood pressure and heart problems. It may also interact with other;medicines.

Green Tea Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, green tea is thought to be likely safe for most people when taken in moderate amounts by mouth or used on the skin.

Stop using green tea and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

• an unusual bleeding or any bleeding that will not stop.

Common side effects may include:

• stomach upset and constipation.

Green tea has been reported to cause liver problems in rare cases.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Recommended Reading: Is Black Tea Good For Uti

Can Green Tea Affect Iron Levels

Like all types of tea, green tea contains tannins. Tannins can interfere with the absorption of iron so try not to drink tea with an iron-rich meal;and leave at least one hour before drinking tea after an iron-rich meal.

Kerry Torrens is a qualified nutritionist with a post graduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the last 15 years she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.

Jo Lewin is a registered nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition with a specialism in public health. Follow her on Twitter;.

All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact; your local health care provider. See our website;terms and conditions;for more information.

Matcha May Help You Lose Weight

Can you lose weight with matcha? Matcha contains EGCg ,;which;increases CCK , the hormone; responsible for making you feel full* . Drinking matcha between meals will help you feel full and resist those sneaky snacks that are full of calories.Psst.. Sometimes we overeat when were cranky. Drinking matcha puts you in a better mood, makes you feel more relaxed and results in happiness. As a result of this phenomenon, you wont need to snack or overeat to feel good.

Recommended Reading: When Did Twisted Tea Come Out

Energy Without The Anxiety Crash Or Jitters

The combination of caffeine with l-theanine in matcha green tea provides a stable and extended boost of energy without the anxious jitters or side effects;like you might have previously experienced with coffee and energy drinks.

The caffeine will gently pick you up, provide you with an extended energy boost and then will let you softly back down to earth.

Here’s the Secret:Matcha is 100% powdered green tea that gives you clean energy without excessive caffeine, sugar content and unknown chemicals. But don’t worry, one;scoop of Tenzo Matcha;still contains same caffeine as;one shot of espresso, but the energy lasts for hours!

Autoimmune Disease: An Immune System Out Of Balance

Virtually all autoimmune diseases – conditions where the immune system begins to attack self-tissue – have either a Th1 or a Th2 dominance.

Put another way, autoimmune conditions generally have either a T cell upregulation and B cell suppression or the opposite .

Its imperative that people with autoimmune disorders maintain Th1/Th2 balance.

When the immune system is dysregulated and starts attacking body tissues, the more out of balance the immune system is, the more voraciously it will attack those tissues.

For example, in someone with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks cartilage, the more out of balance the Th1/Th2 system is, the more cartilage destruction will take place.

You May Like: What Are The Benefits Of Matcha Green Tea

Green Tea Protects Skin From Aging

Research shows that polyphenols in green tea protect skin from the effects of ultraviolet light. This helps prevent the acceleration of aging, in addition to offering cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory benefits. Green tea compounds also help defend against wrinkles, due to their ability to prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastic fibers, which in turn forestall the loss of skin elasticity.

Green Tea May Help You Chill Out

Green tea contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is found almost exclusively in tea plants . L-theanine acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, meaning that it sends signals to neurons. Several studies have shown that L-theanine appears to increase alpha-wave generation in the human brain, signalling a state of relaxation .

Recommended Reading: Where Can You Buy Matcha Tea

It May Rev Up Your Metabolism Helping You Lose Weight

The phytonutrients in green tea may also help you lose weight and keep it off. A 2009 meta-analysis of studies in this area found that drinking catechin-rich green tea significantly reduced body weight . Furthermore, people who drank green tea were more likely to maintain a healthy weight after significant weight loss.

/6it Really Helped Me

IT REALLY HELPED ME! Green tea really helped me. I had heard a lot about benefits of green tea but after incorporating it into my diet, I personally experienced its advantages. I felt more energetic and it made a lot of difference on my skin. As my skin is acne prone, drinking green tea made my skin get rid of pimples and acne. It became more clear and also started to glow!

Read Also: What’s The Best Green Tea On The Market

About Tetley Green Tea

Tetley green tea is a fine quality natural tea and is sourced from the best tea gardens in around 25 countries.

It is made from the young leaves and unopened buds. This is probably why their taste is so unique.

Tetley green tea is a light and refreshing tea with a smooth taste. Unlike most green teas, this tea is not predominantly bitter.

It has a mellow and sweet taste with a natural aroma that lingers for a while.

Tetley green tea is made by using the traditional Japanese method. This ensures that the freshness and flavor of the green tea stays intact till the tea reaches you.

Moreover, this green tea helps keep your body hydrated, relaxed, and is naturally low in calories.

Coming to the caffeine content, Tetley green tea does have naturally occurring caffeine in it.

What Have We Learned

• Green tea contains caffeine. Drinking caffeinated beverages throughout the day seems to prevent a decline in alertness. One study looked at the effect of taking only a main component of green teaEGCGon mental capabilities. In that study, mental capabilities in adults didnt improve.
• The FDA has approved a specific green tea extract ointment as a prescription drug for treating genital;warts.
• Studies of green tea and cancer in people have had inconsistent results. The National Cancer Institute does not recommend for or against using green tea to reduce the risk of any type of;cancer.
• A small number of studies suggests that both green and black tea might have beneficial effects on some heart disease risk factors, including blood pressure and;cholesterol. The research has limitations though, including how the data was evaluated and differences in study populations, so no definite conclusions have been reached.
• Green tea extracts havent been shown to produce a meaningful weight loss in adults who are overweight or obese. They also havent been shown to help people maintain a weight;loss.
• Its uncertain whether green tea is helpful for other conditions.
• The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is funding research on green tea and its extracts, including studies on new forms of green tea extracts for preventing symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and for lowering cholesterol.

You May Like: How Many Calories In Raspberry Twisted Tea

How Does Green Tea Indirectly Aid Weight Loss

One of the antioxidants present in green tea, Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG, helps stimulate the metabolism of the body. It stimulates the central nervous system which releases the fat into the bloodstream and the body uses the fat as fuel which produces extra energy. This sheds the extra water and also helps to burn fat.

There is some evidence that shows that EGCG helps reduce weight which is present in green tea. But if you believe that you can lose your pounds just by drinking tea then youve been misled.

Swapping cups of high caffeine and sugary teas and drinks with green tea helps keep a check on calorie intake. Drinking a number of cups of green tea also cuts down on your hunger, and since you feel like eating less, weight loss is definitely on the cards.

PS: One thing to remember though is that gulping down nine or ten cups of green tea isnt going to do much for you. Exercise and a healthy diet cannot be substituted with a cup of green tea to lose the extra fat in your body.

Is Green Tea Healthy To Drink

Green tea may be one of the healthiest drinks you can choose. It seems to benefit just about every organ in your body, and new research is always coming out to add additional proof.

What are some health benefits of green tea?

Green tea can help prevent serious chronic health conditions as well as everyday woes like acne and fatigue.

Drinking green tea each day has been linked to not only preventing cancer but actually shrinking tumors as well. Green tea can also keep your heart healthy. It contains antioxidants called flavonoids that help reduce LDL cholesterol. Plus, it can prevent blood clots.

Green tea is a superfood for your brain, too. The beverage has been linked to better concentration and can help prevent cognitive decline as we age.

What are some other benefits of green tea?

And while a healthy heart and nimble brain are your main priorities, green tea has another benefit: It helps you look better! Green tea has been proven to help clear up acne and plump up tired-looking skin. Try placing wet green tea bags under your eyes to reduce puffiness in just 15 minutes.

No green tea on hand? Try this banana face mask for a quick beauty routine!

Also Check: What Is The Healthiest Green Tea To Buy