Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. Among its impressive benefits, green tea can improve brain function, fat loss, and even lower the risk of cancer. Let’s have a look at some of the health benefits of green tea that are supported by studies.
- Green Tea Contains Bioactive Compounds That Improve Health
Green tea is loaded with polyphenol antioxidants, including a catechin called EGCG. These antioxidants can have various beneficial effects on health.
The compounds in the green tea leaves do make it into the final drink, which contains large amounts of important nutrients. Green tea is rich in polyphenols that have effects like reducing inflammation and helping to fight cancer.
Green tea is about 30 per cent polyphenols by weight, including large amounts of a catechin called EGCG. Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other benefits.
These substances can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals are known to play a role in ageing and all sorts of diseases.
EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is one of the most powerful compounds in green tea. It has been studied to treat various diseases and may be one of the main reasons green tea has such powerful medicinal properties.
Green tea also has small amounts of minerals that are important for health.
When choosing green tea, try to choose a higher quality brand such as Japanese green tea, because some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive amounts of fluoride.
- Compounds in Green Tea Can Improve Brain Function and Make You Smarter
Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to produce an effect. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function. Green tea does more than just keep you awake, it can also make you smarter. The key active ingredient is caffeine, which is a stimulant.
It doesn’t contain as much as coffee does, but enough to produce a response without causing the unpleasant effects associated with too much caffeine.
Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain called Adenosine. This way, it actually increases the firing of neurons and the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.
Caffeine has been intensively studied before and consistently leads to improvements in various aspects of brain function, including improved mood, vigilance, reaction time and memory.
However, green tea contains more than just caffeine. It also has the amino acid L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has an anti-anxiety effect. It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain.
Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects. The combination of the two is particularly potent at improving brain function.
Many people report having more stable energy and being much more productive when they drink green tea, compared to coffee.
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- Green Tea Increases Fat Burning and Improves Physical Performance
Green tea has been shown to boost the metabolic rate and increase fat burning in the short term, although not all studies agree.
If you look at the ingredients list for any fat burning supplement, chances are that green tea will be on there. This is because green tea has been shown to increase fat burning and boost the metabolic rate.
Caffeine itself has also been shown to improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from the fat tissues and making them available for use as energy.
- Green Tea Fights Bacteria and Avoids Infections
The catechins in green tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria and some viruses. This can lower the risk of infections and lead to improvements in dental health, a lower risk of caries and reduce bad breath.
The catechins in green tea also have other biological effects. Some studies show that they can kill bacteria and inhibit viruses like the influenza virus, potentially lowering your risk of infections.
Streptococcus mutans is the primary harmful bacteria in the mouth. It causes plaque formation and is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay. Multiple studies also show that green tea can reduce bad breath.
- Green Tea and Longevity
Studies show that green tea drinkers are likely to live longer than non-tea drinkers.
Green tea drinkers are at a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, so it makes sense that it could help you live longer.
In a study of 40,530 Japanese adults, those who drank the greenest tea were significantly less likely to die during an 11 year period:
Death of all causes: 23% lower in women, 12% lower in men.
Death from heart disease: 31% lower in women, 22% lower in men.
Death from stroke: 42% lower in women, 35% lower in men.
Another study in 14,001 elderly Japanese individuals aged found that those who drank the greenest tea were 76% less likely to die during the 6 year study period.
You can order your green tea here and enjoy the all the health benefits it has to offer!
