24 Oct 8 Amazing Health Benefits of Green Tea

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An ancient Chinese proverb states “Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one.”

Did you know!!

  • Green tea originates in China and was first brewed in 2737 B.C. during the reign of Emperor Chen Nung.
  • Green tea is made from the leaves from Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing – its leaves are withered and steamed, not fermented like black and oolong teas.
  • Green tea has been used as both a beverage and a medicine to help everything from controlling bleeding and helping heal wounds to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.
  • The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), that are powerful anti-oxidants and free iron scavengers.
  • Greentea protects against death from all causes, especially cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease and stroke) owing to the presence of catechins associated with greentea
  • Other health benefits include various types of cancer chemoprevention, weight loss and protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease)

MakJC.Potential role of greenteacatechins in various disease therapies: progress and promise.ClinExpPharmacol Physiol. 2012 Mar;39(3):265-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2012.05673.x.

  • Green tea has become the raw material for extracts which are used in various beverages, health foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetic items.

 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA

1.Powerful antioxidants

Green tea’s antioxidants, called catechins, search for free radicals that can damage DNA and contribute to cancer, blood clots, and atherosclerosis.

2.Helps you lose weight

If you want to cut those extra inches around your tummy, switching to green tea could be a simpler way. Studies show that green tea extract increases the rate of calorie burning by the body. It reduces blood fat, cholesterol, bloatedness, detoxifies the body and suppresses untimely food cravings. Enabled with diuretic properties, it also eliminates excess water and thereby reduces excess weight. So the best way to get rid of that paunch is to consume green tea along with the right amount of bodily exercise.

Studies reveal the following

  • Green tea has been shown to have thermogenic and antiobesity properties.
  • Although green tea does not raise the metabolic rate enough to produce immediate weight loss, a green tea extract containing polyphenols and caffeine has been shown to induce thermogenesis and stimulate fat oxidation, boosting the metabolic rate 4% without increasing the heart rate.[6]
  • The consumption of green tea is effective in inducing weight loss, reducing BMI and waist circumference in the elderly with metabolic syndrome like diabetes.
  • Green tea also caused a significant decrease in serum glucose and total cholesterol levels and significantly improved the body weight loss in diabetics

Dulloo AG, Duret C, Rohrer D, Girardier L, Mensi N, Fathi M, Chantre P, Vandermander J (1999), “Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans”, Am. J. Clin. Nutr.70 (6): 1040–5

Vieira Senger AE, Schwanke CH, Gomes I, Valle Gottlieb MG. Effect of greentea (Camellia sinensis) consumption on the components of metabolic syndrome in elderly.J Nutr Health Aging. 2012;16(9):738-42. Doi: 10.1007/s12603-012-0081-5.

Haidari F, Shahi MM, Zarei M, Rafiei H, OmidianK.Effect of greentea extract on body weight, serum glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.A dose response study.Saudi Med J. 2012 Feb;33(2):128-33.

3.Boosts exercise endurance

Antioxidants present in green tea extracts increase body’s ability to burn fat as fuel which accounts for improved muscle endurance. It also enhances energy levels and boosts your metabolism.

Green tea when combined with resistance training, decreases body fat, waist circumference, and triacylglyceride levels and increases lean body mass and muscle strength.

Cardoso GA, Salgado JM, Cesar Mde C, Donado-Pestana CM.The effects of greentea consumption and resistance training on body composition and resting metabolic rate in overweight or obese women.J Med Food. 2013 Feb;16(2):120-7. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2012.0062. Epub 2012 Nov 9

4.Fights against various cancers

The antioxidants in tea help protect against a shipload of cancers, including breast, colon, lung, stomach, etc. Green tea extract is reported to induce cancer cell death and starve tumours by curbing the growth of new blood vessels that feed them. EGCG is a potential therapeutic candidate against tumour invasion.

Qin J, Wang Y, Bai Y, Yang K, Mao Q, Lin Y, Kong D, Zheng X, Xie L. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits bladder cancer cell invasion via suppression of NF-κB‑mediated matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression.Mol Med Rep. 2012 Nov;6(5):1040-4. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2012.1054. Epub 2012 Aug 30.

5.Keeps cholesterol in check

Green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol. Moreover, it inhibits the abnormal formation of blood clots which is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. Green tea represses angiotensin II which leads to high blood pressure & reduces the possibilities of heart attacks.

A Chinese study published recently in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed a 46%-65% reduction in hypertension risk in regular consumers of green tea, compared to non-consumers of tea.

6.Improves acne

EGCG, a major polyphenol in green tea significantly improved acne in an 8-week clinical trial and was well tolerated. It reduced sebum and inflammation, decreases the viability of P. acnes, thus targeting almost all the pathogenic features of acne.

Yoon JY, Kwon HH, Min SU, Thiboutot DM, Suh DH. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate improves acne in humans by modulating intracellular molecular targets and inhibiting P. acnes.J Invest Dermatol. 2013 Feb;133(2):429-40. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.292. Epub 2012 Oct 25.

7.Healthy teeth

Green tea also promotes periodontal health by reducing inflammation, preventing bone resorption and limiting the growth of certain bacteria associated with periodontal diseases.

Chatterjee A, Saluja M, Agarwal G, Alam M. Greentea: A boon for periodontal and general health.J Indian SocPeriodontol. 2012 Apr;16(2):161-7. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.99256.

8.Green tea can even help in preventing tooth decay. As the bacteria-destroying abilities of green tea help in preventing food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that cause dental plaque.