Green tea is a gem that not so many people in the world seem to have discovered. It is however becoming increasingly popular as it is believed to have powerful health benefits. It has its origin in China where it has been used as medicine for ages and ages.
It is made from a Chinese plant known as the Camellia sinensis. The leaves are quickly steamed or dry cooked as soon as they are picked. Applying heat to the leaves minimizes oxidation ensuring green tea does not lose its benefits. Below are reasons why green tea is good for you.
Green tea reduces the risk of cancer. It contains antioxidants that help protect the cells likely to be damaged by cancer. The polyphenols or rather the natural chemicals are believed to have anti carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory traits.
It is believed that green tea can assist in improving your brain function. Everyone wants to be smarter; I do not know anyone who doesn’t.
Taking green tea can increase burning of fat. In certain studies, it has been shown that it increases one’s metabolic rate which helps in burning fat and hence improves physical performance.
This is another reason to add green tea into your diet. The tea leaves contain an amino acid, theanine. This produces a relaxing and tranquilizing effect to the drinker.
Green tea is a great way to keep you looking youthful as it reduces wrinkling and aging all thanks to the antioxidants. It also prevents acne as it has antibacterial properties that kill the bacteria that cause acne.
It is believed; by researchers that green tea does stabilize your cholesterol level. It reduces absorption of cholesterol in your digestive tract and speeds up the rate of excretion.
Other great uses of green tea include boosting your immune system, fighting tooth decay and causes of allergies, treating multiple sclerosis, preventing nerve damage which leads to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, keeping diabetes and strokes at bay and many other benefits.
It is therefore without a doubt, safe to say that green tea is a must have. To top it off, you can choose to have it as a beverage or as supplements. So go on and have some green tea and enrich your life.