By: Shrija Bhattacharya
Green Tea is known to be a very healthy drink. Many health conscious tea lovers are switching from their sugar-rich generic morning tea to this green and healthy tea that does not require sweetening. While some may say that liking green tea is an acquired taste, many argue that the bitter, but fresh flavor of this tea is actually very refreshing, not only for the body but also for the taste buds. However, one thing that stands out the most about green tea is that it is extremely good for your health. Here are some of the health benefits of drinking green tea:
- Contains Healthy Bioactive Compounds:
Out of the many bioactive compounds that green tea contains, two of those who stand out are – polyphenols and catechin. While polyphenols reduces inflammation and also fights cancer risk, catechin or epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) help prevent cell damage and also offer other health benefits like better immunity.
- Improves Brain Function:
Green Tea contains caffeine which acts as a stimulant, however the amount of caffeine in green tea is way less than that found in coffee or even some other stronger variants of tea. Hence this, instead of keeping you awake also helps improve your brain function that further facilitates good memory power.
- Burns Fat:
This beverage boosts your metabolism which further aids in weight loss or in simpler terms – burns fat. Hence many people prefer to drink a cup of green tea before or after working out to help facilitate this fat burning process.
- Reduces Bad Breath:
As mentioned earlier, green tea contains catechin that not only helps with health in general, but also fights bacteria in the mouth that lead to tooth decay or bad breath. Even laboratory experiments have indicated that green tea can kill bacteria in the mouth that causes bad breath and can lead to cavity formation.
- May help with diabetes:
Diabetes involves having elevated blood sugar levels, which may be caused by insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin. Studies show that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. One study in Japanese individuals found that those who drank the most green tea had an approximately 42% lower risk of diabetes.
Hence, if you’re planning to take better care of yourself starting this New Year, I’d suggest you start including green tea in your diet plans. It not only is a very refreshing beverage, but also has so many health benefits that you’d be amazed! Go on, order some green tea now.