Benefits of Green Tea

Being Chinese, I've always been exposed to drinking tea. It's always been mandatory to have tea served to you at a restaurant and when visiting a guest's home. Because of my grown taste buds to avidly drinking tea, I'd choose tea over coffee pronto. I've always wondered why black tea was more commonly served than green tea, and its because it has a stronger flavour and aroma. Although all types of teas have great beneficiaries whether its oolong, green, white, herbal or rooibos, green tea ranks the most superior.

I've never educated myself about tea and always thought they were reaped from different plants. In actuality, all teas are made from the leaves of the same species. The significant differences of tea type develop in the processing of the leaves. The distinguishing factor that will determine whether a tea plant will become white, green, oolong, or black tea is oxidation. Oxidation begins after the leaf has been plucked from the plant, and begins a process of being dried, withered, rolled, and heat treated. A black tea is fully oxidized, causing it to turn black, while a green tea is simply steamed (Japanese-style) or pan-fired (Chinese-style). Because green tea doesn't undergo oxidation, it becomes extremely rich in antioxidants and is believed to have more polyphenols preserved.

In the past months, it has become a morning ritual of mine where right when I wake up, I head downstairs to my kitchen and boil some water for my green tea. I take a seat, while sipping my tea for a couple of minutes and enjoy the soothing and relaxing aroma it permeates. I could literally inhale dried tea leaves all day, its scent is quite stimulating to my senses. It's packed with health benefits, including these:

1. Rich in Antioxidants
Scientists at Tufts University compared the "ORAC" (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, a measurement of the total antioxidant power of foods and other chemical substances) of black and green tea, and 22 fruits and vegetables, and found green tea brewed for five minutes outranked even so-called superfoods on the produce list. And EGCC, a catechin found in tea (shows highest levels in green tea) has been shown to protect DNA in cells from cancer-inducing changes. Antioxidants are essential for neutralizing and removing free radicals found in the bloodstream that can damage cells and cause disease.

2. Improves Dental Health
The catechins in green tea can kill bacteria and inhibit viruses. It can create sufficient contraction in your gums to keep them firm and tight on the teeth, thus preventing loosening and loss of teeth. Multiple studies also show it can reduce bad breath.

3. Weight loss
Green tea also helps people lose weight by enhancing the rate of metabolism, thereby promoting a faster consumption of the fat storage in the body. It helps the liver function more efficiently, boosting metabolism and burning fat.

4. Preventing Cancer
Numerous research has demonstrated that tea is beneficial in preventing cancer including prostate, pancreatic, breast, bladder, lung, and stomach. The catechins found in tea prevent cell mutation, deactivate certain carcinogens, and reduce the formation and growth of tumors.

5. Diabetes Prevention
If not taken with sugar, the alkaline nature of green tea helps to reduce the blood glucose level. The antioxidant and astringent qualities of green tea ensure good health and better functioning of the pancreas. Improving the function of the pancreas means a more efficient and regulated secretion of insulin, and the subsequent improvement in decomposing and absorbing sugar. This increase in effective functions can help prevent the onset of diabetes.

6. Healthy Heart
Green tea contains significant amounts of flavonoids, which are antioxidants that protect against heart disease by slowing the breakdown of LDL cholesterol, preventing blood clots, and improving blood vessel function. Green tea is also associated with lower cholesterol and lower rates of artery blockages.

7. Brain Boosting
Researchers in the Netherlands confirmed in a recent study that two green tea compounds, L-theanine and caffeine, can significantly boost levels of attention and alertness, building on what is already known about tea's brain benefits. Green tea is less likely to make you jittery and anxious than other energy-boosting drinks, because it contains lower levels of caffeine than other teas or coffee.

I normally only drink one cup of green tea a day in the morning, but to really increase the benefits, I think I'll start drinking it more throughout the day. It is recommended to have 3 cups a day to fully acquire the polyphenols and active antioxidant compounds found in green tea.