Green tea(Camellia sinensis) originated in China, became popular in the recent decades, though it is well known throughout the modern world since early 1900’s. Green Tea is known for its antioxidant properties due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds especially catechins.

The beneficial effects of green tea include reducing severe brain damage, reducing the sugar levels, improved brain function, fat loss, and lowering the risk of cancer. Here we list some of the benefits of drinking green tea.

Green Tea is Powerful Antioxidant

Green tea contains the following polyphenolic compounds like epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epicatechin and epigallocatechin. The total catechin in fresh tea leaves is around 30% of the weight. Tea leaves also contain caffeine, amino acids, vital nutrients and caretonoids(Beta-Carotene).

Antioxidants in green tea reduce the free radical formation, that protects the cells from damage, free radicals are responsible for aging and disease, they reduce inflammation and fights cancer.

Green Tea Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was found to show a wide range of medicinal properties including ¹⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28864169

Anti-atherosclerosis – protection from plaque buildup in narrowing down the arteries, usually known as Atherosclerosis.

Anti-cardiac hypertrophy – protects from cardiac hypertrophy – the abnormal enlargement, or thickening, of the heart muscle.

Anti-myocardial infarction – protects from heart attacks, anti-Diabetes, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Green Tea Prevents Infection

Infections by microorganisms are the leading cause of disease and death around the world. The four main catechins in green tea are antimicrobial, consumption of green tea provides the availability of these compounds and protects from infection.

Effect of green tea catechins on microorganisms is promising, catechins bind to the bacterial lipid bilayer cell membrane, which results in inhibition or damage to the cell, resulting in death of the cell.²⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18672886

Studies show that they inhibit viruses and kills bacteria. Effective against streptococcus mutans the harmful bacteria that causes cavities, tooth decay and plaque formation. ³⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23055579, ⁴⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25538470, ⁵⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184736/

Green Tea protects from Neurodegenerative Diseases

The imbalance between the generation of free radicals and antioxidants, knows as the oxidative stress is the reason for aging, and various acute and chronic neurological diseases, one of them is Alzheimer’s a neurodegenerative disease.⁶⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23000246

Studies on human epidemiological studies and research in different animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, clearly show that green tea improves age-related cognitive decline and reduces dementia.⁷⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18641210

Studies have also demonstrated the beneficial effects of green tea in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis, diseases and ageing associated with cognitive decline.

Green Tea Lowers the Risk of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease and approaching the epidemic proportions globally. Diabetes is also associated with the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, as the brain is particularly susceptible to glucose fluctuations and hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress.

Diabetes may result from absolute deficiency of insulin, insulin resistance, or both, studies show that green tea improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar⁸⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23803878

Green Tea Lowers the Risk of Cancer

Epigallocatechin gallate – the most abundant catechin in green tea is capable of inhibiting cell proliferation ( rapid cell division resulting in tumors ) and inducing death in cancer cells.⁹⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829848/

EGCG has been found to inhibit the development of cancer including lung, prostate, colon, skin, and breast cancers.¹⁰⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23739680, ¹¹⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2980538/, ¹²⁾https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17575143.

Green tea induces fat burning and improves physical performance, triggers weight loss and reduces the risk of obesity and metabolic diseases. Drink Green Tea and keep yourself healthy and fit.