7 Astonishing Benefits of Green Tea That You May Not Know

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The Chinese have been using tea leaves for medicinal purpose for three millenniums. However, consumption of green tea is becoming popular in other parts of the world. It is now being considered as the “healthiest beverage on the planet”.

Here are the benefits of Green Tea:

Increases metabolism and burns fat

Green Tea has got magical properties that may reduce extra inches around your waistline. Research has shown that green tea enhances calorie burning rate by the body, prevents food cravings, and removes excess water from the body thereby resulting in weight loss. This is not to prove that you should skip cardio sessions and drink cups and cups of green tea for weight loss. Another common mistake is to think that you do not need to cut down calories for weight loss and that green tea is the solution to the problem.

Include green tea in your diet with proper diet and exercise and you will see the benefit.

Improves brain function and performance

Green tea can also make you smarter, some suggest.

Green tea contains caffeine, which is a known stimulant. However, coffee has way more caffeine than green tea.

Caffeine enhances mood, vigilance, reaction time and memory.

Green tea also contains amino acid L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. L-theanine is supposed to have anti-anxiety effects.

People have more stable energy and are much more productive when they drink green tea instead of coffee.

If you are sensitive to caffeine then you should limit the number of cups of green tea that you drink.

Prevents risk of certain types of cancer

Green tea contains powerful anti-oxidants that can help prevent the development of certain types of cancer including breast cancer, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer.

Regulates blood pressure and heart diseases

Green tea relaxes the blood vessels which are then able to handle changes in blood pressure. It also prevents formation of clots thereby preventing cases of heart attacks.

Protects your brain when you age

Green tea is said to have wonderful benefits that lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease in old age.

Skincare

Green tea has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can help deal with wrinkles, aging and skin damage from harmful UV radiation (which happens when exposed to too much sun in hot summer).

Prevents development of Type II Diabetes

Green tea may enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. In this way, green tea may lower the risk of Type II Diabetes. Studies have found that Japanese who drink green tea the most are 42% lower at the risk of developing Type II Diabetes.

Method for brewing your green tea

Measure a teaspoon of green tea for every cup/mug you want to make and add one more for the tea pot.

Place the tea leaves in a ceramic pot (preferably) and after the water boils, pour the boiling water over the leaves.

Cover the pot so that it remains warm and let it brew for 5 minutes.

Thereafter strain the liquid into a mug and your tea is ready.

You can also have your green tea with a dash of lemon juice which enhances the flavour and provides you with added vitamin C to boost your immunity. Have your green tea at any time of the day whenever you need to enhance your energy level. We have it in the morning with six almonds soaked overnight and a piece each of apricot and figs. Perfect way to start your day.

Tip: The left over tea leaves make for excellent fertilizer for such plants as rose bushes. So if you do have these bushes nearby, don’t trash your used tea leaves unnecessarily.

Have I missed any more benefits of green tea?

Which is your favourite method of having green tea?

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