Looking for a way to soothe your body, mind, and soul? Look no further than a steaming hot cup of green tea! While green tea has long been enjoyed by Asian cultures, it's quickly becoming a global phenomenon. And not just because it tastes great! Green tea is also jam-packed with health benefits. Some say that sipping green tea can help cleanse, heal, and rejuvenate the body from the inside out. So why not add a cup (or two) to your daily routine and experience the benefits for yourself?
1. It Helps Burn Fat
Boosting your metabolism is a guaranteed method to enhance your overall well-being. A fully functional body system is always an added advantage to your health. The good news is that green tea is proven to ramp up your metabolism and burn fat, which improves blood circulation, ensures proper heart rate, and keeps your digestive system in excellent working condition(1).
2. Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
Green tea possesses anti-cancer properties that may aid in reducing the chances of developing cancer. Based on a 1994 epidemiological study, individuals who consume green tea on a regular basis have been reported to decrease their risk of esophageal cancer by 60%, as stated by the National Cancer Institute(2). Furthermore, the “University of Purdue” discovered that green tea can impede cancer cell growth. Moreover, a recent study indicates that EGCG, a component present in green tea, can decrease the size of prostate cancer tumors in mice.
3. Reduces The Risk Of Stroke
Green tea has been found to have stroke-preventing properties in a large Japanese study that tracked over 82,000 participants for 13 years(3). Those who consumed four or more cups of green tea per day saw the greatest reduction in stroke risk.
4. Treats Genital Warts
For those suffering from genital warts, there is a prescription topical treatment available that uses green tea extract. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it has been estimated to be effective in 24% to 60% of patients(4).
5. Prevents Diabetes
With today's diet and exercise habits, Type 2 diabetes is on the rise. But fear not, as green tea could be your secret weapon in the fight against this disease. Green tea has been found to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels, two factors that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes(5).
6. Improves Oral Health
Taking care of your oral health is just as important as your overall health. Neglecting your teeth and gums can lead to a host of illnesses and diseases. But fear not, as the catechins in green tea can help fight against oral bacteria and keep your pearly whites shining bright. Even a study showed that patients who drank green tea regularly had healthier gums and fewer signs of periodontal disease compared to those who did not consume green tea(6).
7. Promotes Brain Health
Green tea has a positive impact on brain health. By increasing blood flow, it can improve activity in the working memory area of the brain. Furthermore, green tea has been found to block the formation of plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.
In a recent study, daily consumption of green tea's catechin, a plant secondary metabolite, was found to delay memory regression and prevent further regression(7). It was also shown to delay brain senescence. These findings suggest that regularly consuming green tea extracts may promote healthy aging of the brain.
References
- Bagheri R, Rashidlamir A, Ashtary‐Larky D, Wong A, Alipour M, Motevalli MS, Chebbi A, Laher I, Zouhal H. Does green tea extract enhance the anti‐inflammatory effects of exercise on fat loss?. British journal of clinical pharmacology. 2020 Apr;86(4):753-62.
- https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-05-mn-793-story.html
- Lee J, Kim Y. Association between green tea consumption and risk of stroke in middle-aged and older Korean men: the health examinees (HEXA) study. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science. 2019 Mar;24(1):24.
- Miyoshi N, Tanabe H, Suzuki T, Saeki K, Hara Y. Applications of a standardized green tea catechin preparation for viral warts and human papillomavirus-related and unrelated cancers. Molecules. 2020 Jun 2;25(11):2588.
- Asbaghi O, Fouladvand F, Gonzalez MJ, Aghamohammadi V, Choghakhori R, Abbasnezhad A. The effect of green tea on C-reactive protein and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary therapies in medicine. 2019 Oct 1;46:210-6.
- Nanri H, Yamada Y, Itoi A, Yamagata E, Watanabe Y, Yoshida T, Miyake M, Date H, Ishikawa-Takata K, Yoshida M, Kikutani T. Consumption of green tea but not coffee is associated with the oral health-related quality of life among an older Japanese population: Kyoto-Kameoka cross-sectional study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019 Apr;73(4):577-84.
- Yoneda Y, Kuramoto N, Kawada K. The role of glutamine in neurogenesis promoted by the green tea amino acid theanine in neural progenitor cells for brain health. Neurochemistry international. 2019 Oct 1;129:104505.