Green tea - world’s richest beverage

Green tea is native to China and India. It has been consumed globally for centuries for its health benefits.

Green tea is made from Camellina sinensis leaves that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation applied when processing Camellina sinensis into black tea. It contains highest amount of antioxidants of any tea.

Green tea is available bottled and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweetener in single tea bags, loose leaf and in instant powder.

It’s supplements are sold in the form of capsule or liquid extracts also. People believe that it helps keep weight in check, but look into it a bit deeper and see its other health benefits.

Helps in preventing cancer - Researchers believe that the presence of high level of polyphenols in green tea help to kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing.

A study found that green tea drinkers are less likely to develop pancreatic, breast, bladder, ovarian, colorectal, esophageal, lung, skin and stomach cancer.

Lowers cholesterol - Consuming green tea is linked to significant but modest reduction in LDL or bad cholesterol.

A study found that consuming 10 cups of green tea a day can lower total cholesterol, however consuming four cups or less has no effect on cholesterol.

Keeps heart healthy - Green tea contains catechins, polyphenolic compounds that exert numerous protective effects, particularly on the cardio vascular system. So it is of great help to safeguard your heart.

Reduces risk of stroke - Drinking green tea or coffee on a regular basis helps in reducing risk of strokes.

Inflammatory skin diseases - Green tea is most effective in the treatment of skin disorders, such as psoriasis and dandruff.

Inflammatory skin diseases characterized by patches of dry, red or flaky skin can be treated with green tea.
Prevents aging - Green tea slows down the aging process by reducing free radical damage of the skin.It also prevents hair fall.

Type 2 diabetes - Some studies have shown that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, than for non-green tea drinkers.

Improves working memory - Green tea can also treat cognitive impairments associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as dementia. It can improve our working memory.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia - Green tea is also said to reduce the risk of Alzherimer’s disease. Molecules in green tea may help prevent the misfolding of specific proteins in the brain.

Promising for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis - A compound found in green tea could be an effective treatment for the disease according to the study published in journal Arthritis and Rheumatology.

Weight loss - Green tea is a natural and safe way to control weight in obese adults. It has a good track record with regard to weight-loss.

It results in modest weight-loss, much of this weight-loss is targeted at visceral fat which builds up around the organs. Green tea also helps to decrease the appetite and ease hunger pangs.

A word of caution: For centuries, green tea has been hailed for its numerous health benefits. But according to a new study, the beverage could  do more harm than good if consumed in large amounts.

In particular pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with heart problems or high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, stomach ulcers or anxiety disorders should not take green tea supplements or extracts.

No doubt  its merits are much more than its demerits. So we should introduce it as a part of our healthy lifestyle. Make a small but positive change in your life with green tea and stay healthy and blessed.