3 Benefits of Green Tea

benefits of green tea

Green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant that we get our regular tea from. However, unlike regular tea, green tea has a gorgeous emerald green color.

Green tea has been consumed for years in Far Eastern countries. It has recently gained popularity in the Western world, mainly because of its delicious taste. But aside from the pleasant flavors, green also provides lots of health benefits.

In this article, we are going to run through three of the proven benefits of green tea. The benefits include its ability to improve heart health, enhance brain function, and increase weight loss.

1 – It’s Great for Your Gut

Green tea is full of antioxidants, some of which have anti-inflammatory properties. They can help to lower the levels of inflammation in the gut. This in turn can aid digestion and soothe any digestive issues.

In particular, a group of antioxidants known as catechins reduce inflammation and bloating. And catechins are abundant in green tea!

Many people have also raised the question of is green tea a probiotic? Although green tea is not currently used in standard probiotic products, research is showing promising results in boosting gut health.

Green tea may help to balance out the levels of good and bad bacteria in your gut. For example, green tea may increase the levels of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, which are essential bacteria for a healthy gut.

2 – Antioxidant Properties

Oxygen free radicals form during the many metabolic processes that occur in your cells.

These free radicals can cause oxidative damage to the DNA in your cells, increasing the risk of mutations. An accumulation of mutations in the DNA of your cells increases cellular stress. This puts you at an increased risk of developing a range of diseases.

Antioxidants can reduce the levels of oxygen free radicals in your cells, reducing the risk of damage and protecting you from diseases such as cancer. You can boost your natural levels of antioxidants by eating a healthy diet and drinking green tea.

Matcha green tea prepared with a high-quality matcha powder contains around 137 times more than other forms of green tea. However, all forms of green tea can benefit your cells by significantly lowering the levels of oxidative stress

3 – Improved Brain Function 

Green tea can boost cognitive function in a number of ways. Studies show that it can speed up reaction times, enhance focus and attention span, and boost memory.

These brain-boosting effects are due to the various plant compounds found in the green tea plant. Green tea contains small amounts of caffeine, which is a common stimulant. Caffeine reduces tiredness and enhances mental clarity and focus.

Please know however that caffeine can also cover up the signs of depression, which include tiredness.

Alongside caffeine, green tea also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which is found in many forms of tea. It improves focus, mental clarity, cognitive performance, and immune function. L-theanine can also reduce stress and anxiety by lowering the blood pressure and calming the mind.

About the Author

Jared Levenson is a former binge eating wrestler turned Zen Buddhist Monk, Internal Family Systems counselor and nutrition wellness coach. He's helped hundreds of people through universal meal principles and internal family systems to make peace with food, stop binge eating, and find true health and wholeness.

@jared_levenson

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