What is the Green Tea?
Common Name: Green Tea
Green, black, and oolong teas all come from the same plant, Camellia synesis, but are prepared using different methods. To produce green tea, fresh leaves from the plant are lightly steamed (NCCIH 2016).
Current uses of green tea as a beverage or dietary supplement include improving mental alertness, relieving digestive symptoms and headaches, and promoting weight loss.
Green tea health benefits have been studied since 1945! Because of this, a lot of people make claims about their teas and the health benefits they contain. You may be wondering where all the studies are to back it up though and why it’s not in mainstream medicine. Well actually, a lot of doctors will recommend that their patients drink tea, commonly for cholesterol or heart conditions, and often as a replacement to coffee.
There are several reasons tea is so good for you, but the main reasons are its chemical make-up: catechins, theanine, and polyphenols.
Most teas are very high in antioxidants, the chemical most people are familiar with for anti-aging and health claims. Antioxidants are what make so many foods be called “superfoods” like blueberries. So, why is green tea touted the most out of all the teas for health benefits?
Green tea (matcha, in particular) has the highest concentration of catechins, theanine, and polyphenols. The only non-green tea that comes close in a competition is oolong, which is about 3rd best in polyphenol content right after matcha and China Green tea (Bi Luo Chun). So what are the health benefits of drinking green tea?
What is Considered the General Health Benefits?
Green tea can be a very capable food element. Multiple sources state that green tea may provide many health benefits, with one of the most popular uses as an antioxidant.
Anti-inflammatory
Blood Sugar Control
Bone Density Support
Brain Cell Damage Prevention
Cancer Fighting
Eye Health
Heart Benefits
Immune System Support
Longevity Aid
Memory Health
Skin Health
Weight Control
As with any food, spice and herb, moderation is preferred. Here is a list of green tea products in various forms.
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