1.] Green Tea Is Packed with Nutrients
You may feel good about what’s in your cup when you choose green tea. Take a peek at what’s within:
One form of alkaloid that can stimulate the neurological system is caffeine.
L-theanine is one amino acid that may assist improve mental attention.
One mineral that helps make tooth enamel stronger is fluoride.
In contrast to other tea varieties, green tea has a high catechin content. Among catechins, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most prominent.
Natalie Rizzo, RD, of New York City, provides expert advice on selecting a healthful green tea: “If you want the real thing, make sure the package says 100 percent green tea, or opt for pure green tea leaves.”
2.] Green Tea Is Allowed in a Healthful Diet for Losing Weight
According to the NCCIH, there is insufficient data to support the claim that those who are overweight or obese will lose weight by consuming green tea. However, studies using green tea extract suggest it might be beneficial.
Specifically, according to one study, the caffeine in green tea may aid in appetite suppression and hasten the process of burning calories through a process known as thermogenesis. As one article points out, the majority of the study on green tea that has been done so far has focused on this more concentrated extract rather than the steeping of a tea bag in your cup.
“If you are thinking of adding green tea to your diet to help with weight loss, don’t expect this to work if you are eating a high-calorie diet,” Rizzo says. “Although it does have fat-burning qualities, [green tea] will not burn enough fat to make up for a bad diet.” On top of that, according to the Mayo Clinic, weight loss efforts via green tea may be inhibited if you drink premade tea with added sweeteners.
Your best bet? Do what’s been proven to work — follow a healthy, balanced diet, and exercise regularly to lose weight. Adding green tea to your diet may help, but don’t expect it to be a silver bullet.
3.] Green Tea’s Health Benefits Go Beyond Your Belly
Caffeine can help you stay regular, but too much of it can also make you jittery and interfere with your sleep. Try green tea instead of coffee if you are sensitive to the amount of caffeine in it. Like coffee, it contains some caffeine, but not much. An 8-ounce (oz) cup of caffeinated brewed coffee has between 95 and 165 milligrams (mg) of caffeine, while an 8-oz cup of brewed green tea has between 25 and 29 mg. This information is based on the Mayo Clinic.
4.] Make sure to include green tea in your shopping list if you want to reduce inflammation.
In a particular investigation, rats fed green tea extract in their water and then infected with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had fewer severe symptoms than rats given ordinary water. Although more human trials are required, the researchers point out that green tea extract may be beneficial when combined with traditional RA treatments.
It’s too soon to say whether similar anti-inflammatory benefits would be observed in humans, although research from one analysis indicates that rats with osteoarthritis benefit from identical treatment.
5.] Green Tea May Help Prevent Skin Cancer and Repair Damaged Skin
Although it’s unclear if humans would experience the same impact, mice treated to green tea polyphenols in drinking water in one study demonstrated improved skin cell regeneration following UV radiation damage.
According to a study, green tea may also aid in the treatment of genital warts and eczema.
6.] Green tea may be able to help type 2 diabetics lower their blood sugar levels.
Hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, is a symptom of type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is a disorder in which the body’s ability to absorb glucose for energy is compromised in the liver, muscles, and cells of the body. According to the American Diabetes Association, poorly controlled diabetes can raise the chance of consequences like heart disease, neuropathy (nerve damage), amputations, and vision issues.
Green tea, however, may help lower insulin resistance when ingested as part of a healthy type 2 diabetes diet, according to a study where participants observed good outcomes after consuming 150 milliliters of green or sour tea three times a day for four weeks.
7.] Green Tea Drinking May Help Your Alertness and Brain Health
The NCCIH lists mental alertness as one of the most well-liked benefits of green tea. A systematic review found that the caffeine level of green tea is related to this short-term effect. Since caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, over consumption of it might have negative effects. However, green tea’s minimal caffeine level wakes you up without giving you the jitters and anxiety that come with higher-caffeine goods like coffee.
8.] Green Tea May Offer Some Cancer Types Protection
The National Cancer Institute states that antioxidant-rich foods and drinks, such as green tea, may assist stop the body’s natural defenses against free radicals, which cause cancer. The EGCG concentration in particular seems to provide protection.
According to one analysis, studies have suggested that green tea extract may help postpone the start and stop some cancers from coming back. However, a large body of research on the potential benefits of green tea for cancer prevention or therapy focuses on green tea extract rather than actual green tea and mice or cell cultures rather than humans.
9.] Engaging in Green (and Black) Tea Consumption May Offer Heart Protection
The NCCIH reports that in addition to decreasing cholesterol, green tea may also help lower excessive blood pressure. Consequently, studies conducted in 2023 suggest that this may promote improved heart health. Black tea may also have similar benefits.
Green tea should be consumed in moderation if you’re on blood pressure medicine, such as beta-blockers. The NCCIH states that taking large doses of green tea, especially as a supplement, may interfere with some kinds of drugs.
10.] Further research is necessary, but green tea may help reduce anxiety.
The symptoms of anxiety-related conditions such social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and generalized anxiety may be lessened by drinking a cup of green tea. According to a review, there is evidence to support the combined effects of caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine on reducing anxiety and improving memory and attention, among other brain functions.