Health Benefits of Green Tea

Another name for green tea is “unoxidized tea”, it comes from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant.

People in China and Japan have been consuming green tea for its various health benefits.

After plucking, the leaves of green tea are slightly dried to preserve them and avoid oxidization.

The main compound in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.

Green tea has a higher content of chlorophyll, polyphenols, and antioxidants than other types of tea.

Green tea can be categorized into two types: sun-grown green tea and shade-grown green tea.

Sun-grown green teas are light in color. They have a higher content of polyphenols and a lesser content of amino acids and chlorophyll. Sencha and Bancha are sun-grown green teas.

Shade-grown green teas are dark in color. They have a higher content of chlorophyll and amino acids and a lesser content of polyphenols. Gyokuro, trencha, and matcha are shade-grown green teas.

Green tea can be prepared by simply brewing it in hot water, you can also add lemon, ginger root, or honey for flavoring.

Green tea leaves have many vitamins and minerals but a single cup of brewed green tea doesn’t contain any significant amount of protein, fats, fiber, carbohydrates, or sugar.

Green tea is a low-calorie beverage so it can help in weight management.

According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), green tea contains the following vitamins and minerals.

Pros of drinking Green Tea

1. Green tea has antioxidants that protect cells from damage.

2. Green tea enhances the mood and improves brain function.

3. Green tea improves the metabolism and promotes fat burning.

4. Green tea reduces the risk of lung and ovarian cancer.

5. Drinking green tea can avoid dental cavities.

6. Green tea may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

7. It lowers the risk of heart disease.

8. Drinking green tea regularly may help weight loss.

9. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties which can make skin healthy.

10. L-theanine is an amino acid in green tea it can help reduce stress and anxiety.

11. Green tea can increase bone mineral density (BMD) and can help prevent osteoporosis and other bone diseases.

Cons of drinking Green Tea

1. Green tea if brewed strongly can cause stomach irritation.

2. Avoid drinking green tea on an empty stomach, it can cause an upset stomach.

3. Green tea contains caffeine so it may cause headaches in certain individuals.

4. It can cause sleep issues in persons sensitive to caffeine.

5. Excess consumption of green tea can cause nausea and vomiting.

6. Green tea can make you feel dizzy if consumed excessively.

7. Green tea decreases the levels of a protein called fibrinogen which helps clot blood. So persons suffering from blood clotting issues should avoid green tea.

8. Excess consumption of green tea can cause liver damage.

Interesting Facts

· China is the world’s largest producer of green tea.

· Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee.

· Matcha green tea was a pre-battle drink for samurai fighters to increase energy and improve focus.

· Japanese monks drank matcha green tea to meditate for longer.

· The world’s oldest tea company is Tsuen Tea, situated in Japan, it was founded in 1160 C.E. and has been operating since then.