Green tea has been known to be a healthier substitute to normal beverages like coffee and other types of tea owing to its lower caffeine content as well as presence of very strong natural anti-oxidants called polyphonies, which not only helps to attain a healthy body, skin or hair, but has been a great help to block the growth of cancer cells.
Green tea is healthier option due to the way it’s processed; the green leaves for green tea are steamed which helps in preventing catechins from oxidizing, while black and oolong tree are made from fermented leaves, which leads to loss of this very important anti-oxidant. Here is an exhaustive list of benefits of green tea.
1. REDUCES CHOLESTEROL: green tea contains tannins that are known to lower cholesterol naturally in the body. Tannins help in the reduction of the level of LDL (low-density lipoproteins) cholesterols in the body. LDL are known as the “Bad Cholesterol” as they cause plaque build-up in the arteries, thus causing blockages. Cholesterol problem is one of the leading viruses that causes heart problem, thus keeping the heart healthy.
2. MANAGING DIABETES: green tea helps in managing type II diabetes as the natural anti-oxidants present in it inhibits the secretion of an enzyme known as alpha-glycosidase, which in turn slows down the absorption of glucose in the blood stream. It means that less insulin is required to manage the glucose in the blood stream and thus green tea properties help in controlling and managing this disease.
3. PREGNANCY: the high anti-oxidant in green tea helps the body to recover from cell damage, regulates blood sugar and insullin levels and also helps in controlling hypertension. Gestational hypertension and diabetes are common problems faced in later stages of pregnancy and the high oxidant levels help in reducing the probability of facing these issues as they help in boosting the immune system of the pregnant woman.
4. PREVENTS ARTHRITS: green tea helps to prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis, it protects the cartilage by blocking the production of the enzyme chemokine. Chemokines are proteins that promote inflammation in the body, which are said to destroy the flexibility of the cartilage, which is a common symptom of arthritis.
5. PREVENTS SKIN CANCER: Polyphenols present in green tea inhibits growth of two proteins – vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGE) and the Hepatocyte Growth factor (HGF) which are known to promote tumor cell growth. Green tea is also known to heal the pre-cancerous scaly keratosins, which is a skin ailment that occurs due to unnecessary and chronic exposure to sun. It helps in not only treating minor skin problems but in keeping it immune to serious damages like skin tumors.
6. REDUCES STRESS AND DEPRESSION: green tea contains a compound called thiamine: an amino acid that helps in relieving stress and anxiety. Thiamine also works as a great anti-depressant. The lower percentage of caffeine in green tea is also an added advantage for people suffering anxiety disorder and other stress related problems.
7. ASTHMA: green tea is quite useful for people who have severe asthma issues; it contains theophyline which claims to relax muscles that gives support to the bronchial tubes, thus reducing the severity of asthma. It further reduces sensitivity to allergies thus keeping in check asthmatic reactions to allergies as well.
8. PREVENTS OSTEOPOROSIS: low bone density is a common problem amongst women. The high fluoride content in green tea helps in keeping your bones strong and slowing its breakdown, thus reducing the chances of developing issues like osteoporosis.
9. NATURAL SUNSCREEN: it acts as a natural sunscreen against exposure to UR rays. It helps in preventing free radicals to settle between skin cells which claim to weaken the healthy protection system of skin, thus causing formation of wrinkles on the skin.
10. PREVENTS AND TREATS NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES: Polyphenols in green tea helps to maintain the parts of brain that regulates learning and memory. It slows down the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain and also prevents cell damage in the brain. Regular consumption of green tea helps in prevention of degenerative and neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson.
Asides all these professional strong benefits, green tea also helps to build stronger and good nails, cures common stomach ailments, produces a healthy liver, increases immunity, prevents skin cancer, gives a healthy hair and skin and also keeps allergies at bay.
Knowing how great and healthy green tea is for us, it’s also beneficial when it is consumed in moderation because excessive consumption of green tea, has side effects. Stick to 2-3 cups of green tea a day and get ready to lead a healthy life, desiring all the benefits out of these healthy habits.
