Is Green Tea Good for Your Health?

Slofoodgroup Team April 02, 2022

Is Green Tea Good for Your Health?

Green tea is more than just a delicious beverage that can be consumed hot or cold, it has long been touted for a wide array of health benefits and used across the globe to treat many diseases and improve overall health. You are probably already well aware that green tea is a healthy beverage to consume, but do you know the reasons why? 

The primary health benefits claimed to be associated to green tea can mostly be attributed to high levels of antioxidants housed within the Camellia Sinensis leaves. The levels of antioxidants will plummet, however, if your tea is not prepared correctly. When brewing green tea, you do not want to bring the water to a boil. Instead, heat your water to around 170-180° F and allow your tea leaves to steep for about 3 minutes. For full instructions on how to make the perfect cup of green tea or to learn more about high-quality Ceylon Green Tea, follow this link. 

Now, let’s dig into some of the amazing health benefits that have been attributed to green tea by several scientific studies. 

Four Incredible Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea can reduce inflammation.

All tea leaves contain polyphenols, and green tea is no exception. This means it contains healthy properties that are known to reduce levels of inflammation in the body. That being the case, green tea is a wise beverage choice for those who are battling illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. 

Green tea contains catechins that may help lower blood pressure.

Some of those same polyphenols that help reduce inflammation also contain the benefits of potentially lowering blood pressure, and while there is somewhat conflicting results determinant of demographics and amount & duration of tea drinking, both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels decreased significantly in many studies, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Green tea may help brain function in the short and long term. 

Whether you are suffering from brain fog and just need a bit of clarity or you have genetic markers for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or another neurodegenerative disease, incorporating green tea into your routine may help with brain function both immediately and for the long-haul. Caffeine is well-known for driving a punch to stimulate the brain and provide energy, but green tea also contains L-theanine, which has been proven to decrease anxiety and increase mental clarity (cognition), so that jittery feeling obtained from caffeine alone may be eliminated. The cognitive benefits of green tea span beyond the immediate consequences, however. Several studies suggest that the antioxidants present in tea reduce oxidative stress and delay the deterioration of the brain, meaning the polyphenols in green tea may “serve as possible neuroprotective agents in progressive neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases”.

Green tea could increase your metabolism and help cut weight.

This earthy beverage has long been suggested as a tool for weight loss. Sitting down to a cup of green tea without changing anything else about your routine probably won’t get you that beach bod you’ve been dreaming of by summer, though. Still, it may add a little pep to your step and will help you burn calories more quickly whether you have just finished a workout or have been stationary for the better part of the day. In fact, a study of several individuals with type 2 diabetes, showed significant weight loss in those who drank 4 cups of green tea a day as compared to those who drank the placebo.