15 Health Benefits of Green Tea-peacefulmindbody

Green tea is famous for its potential health benefits. Green tea is a good source of antioxidants. Research has found that the health benefits of green tea may include alleviating anxiety and stress, improving sleep, enhancing memory, and reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Green tea is a low-calorie beverage as long as you don’t add a sweetener. Some of the benefits are mentioned below.

15 Health Benefits of Green Tea :

1. May Help To Protect Against Cognitive Decline:

Consumption of green tea may protect against certain neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

2. Helps Support Bone Health:

Some evidence suggests that green tea may lower the risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease in which bones start losing bone mass and become porous. Postmenopausal people have the highest risk of osteoporosis.  The presence of high concentrations of antioxidants in green tea may enhance bone formation and protection against bone mass loss.

3. Reduces Cholesterol levels:

Green tea contains catechins and other antioxidant compounds that help to lower LDL cholesterol and Total cholesterol.

4. May Lower Blood Pressure:

Various studies have shown that the Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) found in green tea promotes the relaxation of muscles lining the blood vessels resulting in a lowering of blood pressure.

5. Green Tea Helps In Weight Loss:

Caffeine and a type of flavonoid called catechin, which is an antioxidant are found in green tea and some studies suggest that both of these compounds can speed up metabolism. Excess fat is broken down by catechin.

6. Boosts Immunity:

Green tea is loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants. It contains a powerful antioxidant called Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that helps protect cells from damage.

EGCG has been studied extensively for its ability to alleviate inflammation and enhance immunity.

7. Low-caffeine Green Tea Improves Sleep Quality:

Green tea contains another compound called L-theanine, an amino acid that has a powerful anxiety-reducing, relaxing effect when ingested – leading to better sleep. So drinking low-caffeinated green tea may reduce fatigue and levels of stress markers, as well as improve sleep quality.

8. Good For Your Liver Health:

Some studies found that green tea reduces levels of liver enzymes in people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) due to the presence of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

9. Reduces Blood Sugar Levels: 

Drinking green tea as a replacement for other sugary beverages may also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Some studies show that green tea consumption significantly reduces fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c)

10. May Prevent Heart Disease:

Catechins found in green tea have anti-inflammatory effects that target free radicals and protect the heart. Drinking green tea is linked to a reduced risk of clogged arteries. 

11. May Prevent Stroke:

One large Japanese study showed that higher consumption rates of green tea were associated with a reduced risk of stroke.

12. May lower the Risk of Some Cancers:

While the evidence is mixed and inconsistent, some studies have linked drinking green tea with a reduced chance of developing some cancers, such as lung cancer and ovarian cancer.

13. May Help in Digestion:

While scientific evidence is limited, some studies suggest that green tea may have a positive effect on digestion and reducing gas production.

14. Keeps Skin Healthy:

Green tea contains vitamin E which is known for its ability to nourish and hydrate the skin. The powerful antioxidant, EGCG fights DNA damage from UV rays to prevent skin cancer. 

15. Anti-Aging Drink:

Some of the antioxidants and healing compounds found in green tea include polyphenols, catechins, and various other types of flavonoids that have anti-aging effects. Green Tea is also rich in vitamin B2. These have great benefits in preventing your skin from showing fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin B2 tightens skin and makes it firm in appearance.

Potential Risk of Green Tea :

Drinking large amounts might cause side effects due to the caffeine content. These side effects can range from mild to serious.
When taken in large amounts, the caffeine in green tea might cause irregular heartbeat.
Drinking too much tea may lead to an iron deficiency because tea is rich in tannins, which can bind to iron and prevent it from being absorbed in the digestive tract. 

The caffeine in green tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.

Replacement of sugary drinks with green tea is a healthy habit. Green tea is a good option if you are looking for a low-calorie, unsweetened hot drink with less caffeine than coffee. Regular green tea consumption can be beneficial to health. Drinking three to five cups of green tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits. You can add lemon or honey to it to enhance the flavor.
So, consume green tea in moderation to reap the benefits as well as to avoid the side effects. 

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All the best!