Green tea is the healthiest beverage on the planet.. It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body.. These include improved brain function, fat loss, a lower risk of cancer and many other impressive benefits. Below are 10 health benefits of green tea that are supported by studies.
EGCG
One of the most powerful compounds in green tea. It has been studied to treat various diseases and may be one of the main reasons green tea has such powerful medicinal properties.
- Try to choose a higher quality brand of green tea, because some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive amounts of fluoride.
Green tea is loaded with polyphenol antioxidants, including a catechin called EGCG
These antioxidants can have various beneficial effects on health.
- Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to produce an effect.- It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.- Many people report having more stable energy and being much more productive when they drink green tea, compared to coffee.
Some controlled trials show that green tea can cause mild reductions in blood sugar levels, which may also lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
One study in Japanese individuals found that those who drank the most green tea had a 42% lower risk than those who did not drink any green tea (Table 1).
Cancer
It is one of the world’s leading causes of death
- Green tea is an excellent source of powerful antioxidants, so it makes sense that it could reduce your risk of cancer
- Many observational studies have shown that green tea drinkers are less likely to develop several types of cancer
Green tea also dramatically increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood, which protects the LDL particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway towards heart disease (45, 46).
Green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Some studies show that green tea leads to increased weight loss, and may be particularly effective at reducing abdominal fat.
Green tea catechins
Multiple studies show that the catechin compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models, potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- They may also have other biological effects, such as killing bacteria and inhibiting viruses.
Green tea consumption is associated with improved dental health and a lower risk of caries
Studies show that the catechins in green tea can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the leading cause of cavities and decay
- This can lower the risk of infections and lead to improvements in dental health.
