My mother used to say anytime is tea time. It is a beverage that is the staple of social fabric across most of Asia. Our ancient Indian and Chinese traditions have known it for 1000’s of years. Finally, Western Science is waking up to Green Tea Benefits, we smile, with a see I told you kinda look. Now I’m just going to do the ‘see I told you’ but in many steps so that you can grow to brew and enjoy this ancient elixir of life.
Green Tea Benefits For You
Ancient tradition – tea drinking and its benefits
Over hundreds and thousands of years, traditional Indian medicine used Green Tea Benefits for a healthy body:
- To regulate blood sugar
- Promote better digestion
- Regulate better body temperature
- Improving mental abilities
- Cure a whole range of diseases including arthritis and stomach ulcers
- Help rid the body of excess fluids thus leading to weight loss
Modern science over the last decade has with the help of extensive research tools taken this forward to many other ailments and their improved recovery with the intake of green tea.
Benefits OF Green Tea
Today a large number of studies have proven beyond doubt that drinking green tea regularly has its health benefits. The brew both lowers the risk of and helps in healing many a chronic disease. From simple infections to life-threatening degenerative conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and strokes all register better faster healing with the intake of green tea.
How Green tea works
Green Tea actually comes from the same plant where normal tea is obtained only it is processed differently. The normal black tea is obtained by fermenting the tea leaves, green tea is made from unfermented leaves and reportedly contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols.
Step 1:
Once the leaves are plucked, they are immediately taken to the factory to be “fixed” or de-enzymed by application of heat. This prevents the leaves from oxidizing and turning brown.
Step 2:
Then the leaves are rolled either by hand or a rolling machine. It helps break down the cell walls and extract aromatic compounds.
Step 3:
Next comes drying, it is carried out until the moisture content is reduced to about 1% of the total weight of the leaves. Note that unlike black and oolong verities of tea, green tea is not fermented.
There are numerous green tea benefits. It is loaded with polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, chemicals that function as powerful antioxidants and nurtures and heals our bodies. These are some of the many green tea benefits that accrue to us.
The Best way to drink for maximum benefits
Green Tea is not boiled or brewed in water.
The temperature of the water plays a critical role in preparing the perfect cup of green tea. Heat water in a clean pan or pot till the bubbles around the walls begin to leave the wall. The temperature will be in the region of 75 – 80 degree Celsius. Do not boil the water as this will give the green tea a bitter taste.
Transfer the water to a teapot. If using tea bags, drop them in and leave for 2-3 minutes. If you are using leaf tea add a spoon or so and leave in the water for a little longer say 3-4minutes and then strain and drink. 2 to 3 cups of green tea per day (for a total of 240 to 320 mg polyphenols) is recommended. And least I forget, no milk please in this cup of tea at least.
The relation between green tea and weight loss
Drinking green tea does help reduce those extra pounds and what is better you are not punishing your body. Research by Messers Baladia E, Basulto J, Manera M, Martinez R, Calbet D. shows that the “thermogenic” properties of green tea help in accelerating the metabolism and speed up fat oxidation in the cells that help in cutting the excess fat from the body. Also, catechins present in green tea triggers the calorie-burning process in the body. So, benefits of Green Tea drinking ensures that fighting that fat is done from more than one angle.
lowers risk of heart disease
The high level of EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate in green tea helps in effectively lowering LDL cholesterol in the blood and prevents abnormal clotting. Thus Green tea helps reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol from the bloodstream while keeping HDL or “good” cholesterol intact thus protecting the heart. A 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association had followed over 40,000 Japanese participants between the ages of 40 and 79 for 11 years, starting in 1994.
The participants who drank at least 5 cups of green tea per day had a significantly lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those who did not drink green tea. Therefore, green tea consumption is associated with benefits like reduced mortality due to all causes, including cardiovascular disease.
Cancer and Green tea
Clinical studies in the United States suggest that the polyphenols in tea, especially green tea, may play an important role in the prevention of cancer. Researchers also believe that polyphenols help kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing.
Susanne Henning, an adjunct professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine, involved 67 men about to undergo a prostatectomy, the removal of an enlarged or cancerous prostate. In the weeks before the procedure, these men were assigned to drink either six cups of brewed green tea or water daily. Those who drank the green tea had significantly lower levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or tumour growth. Therefore, Green Tea benefits and prevents a wide range of Human Ailments.
Diabetes control
Green tea has been used traditionally to control blood sugar levels. Animal studies by Hsu CH, Liao YL, Lin SC, Tsai TH, Huang CJ, Chou P of the Sun Yat-Sen Univ suggest that green tea may help prevent the development of type 1 diabetes and slow the progression once it has developed. In people with type 1 diabetes, their bodies make little or no insulin, which helps convert glucose or sugar into energy. Green tea may help regulate glucose in the body. Research also suggests that one of the key benefits of regular consumption of green tea may help manage type 2 diabetes.
Doctor Suzanne Steinbaum, director of women’s heart health at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City says,“tea especially green tea helps sensitize cells so they are better able to metabolize sugar. Green tea is good for people with diabetes especially type II form because it helps the metabolic system function better.”
Green Tea the hangover buster
You wake up after a long night of partying! You have that sluggish heavy headed feeling socially called the hangover.
Did you know that green tea with a twist of lime is one of the best known super quick cures for a hangover?
Just add the juice of half of the lime to a large glass of green tea and banish that hangover. You couldn’t have asked for more.
So what are you waiting for?
Time to hop off to the stores and buy some good green tea for yourself. Watch the leaves release their magic on you. Begin the green tea benefits now Because – “Anytime is Tea Time!”
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FAQ’s on Green Tea and It’s Beenfits
Q 1: How much Green Tea should I drink per day?
Ans 1: You can drink 3 – 5 cups of green tea for maximum benefits in a day. However, very high doses of Green Tea can be problematic. Therefore, count the cups!
Q 2: What is the Best Time to Drink Green Tea?
Ans 2: You should drink green tea in the morning around 10.00 am and end around 11.00 pm or earlier. It is good to drink a cup of green tea between meals. For maximum green tea, benefits drink two hours before or after meals. It will maximize iron absorption and intake of nutrients. In case you suffer from anemia avoid drinking green tea with food.
Q 3: How to Drink Green Tea or How to Prepare the Perfect Cup of Green Tea?
Ans 3: Never boil or brew the green tea in water for maximum benefits – or else the tea will taste bitter. Heat the water until the bubbles begin to leave the wall of the pan at a temperature of 75-80 degree celsius. Pour the hot water in a teapot and drop tea bag/s and leave them for a few minutes. In case you are using leaf te instead of bags – add a spoon of tea. Leave it in the tea for 3-4 minutes before straining it. Remember, not to add any milk.
Q 4: Can I drink Green Tea on an Empty Stomach?
Ans 4: There are tannins in the green tea that may cause stomach acids to rise. It could cause aches in the stomach, feeling of nausea or even cause constipation. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink green tea on an empty stomach. For maximum gree tea benefits – drink after or in-between meals.
Q 5: How to Drink Green Tea with Honey?
Ans 5: You can add honey to green tea depending on how much sweet you want the tea to taste. Adding honey to green tea is a good option as it contains antioxidants that add to the benefits of green tea. Moreover, a combination of green tea and honey will help you in weight loss and also protect your body from chronic diseases.
Do write in the section below. Let us know of the unique ways you drink Green Tea and it’s Benefits for in your real life! Share our blog with your friends and family who you think really need the Benefits of Green Tea!
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