India always been a tea drinking nation. We consume nearly 837,000 tons of tea every year. The tea which is preferred mostly in India is black tea. But there is another tea which is gaining popularity nowadays; that is green tea.
Green tea is made from un-oxidized leaves and is one of the less processed types of tea. Its many health benefits combined with a mild and delicious flavor have brought green tea almost instant fame over the last few years. Here are some benefits of green tea.
It improves health
Green Tea contains bio-active compounds. It is loaded with polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants and reduces the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. It also contains small amounts of minerals that are important for health.
Reduces cholesterol
Certain elements in green tea have been shown to reduce levels of the bad cholesterol, improving the overall cholesterol ratio. Research shows that drinking green tea everyday has a significant impact on your blood cholesterol levels. Green tea also contains gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which may decrease blood pressure by modulating neurotransmitter release.
Reduces the risk of various types of cancer
Green tea is full of powerful antioxidants. It is well known that oxidative damage contributes to the development of cancer and that antioxidants can have a protective effect, so it makes a perfect sense that green tea can reduce the risk of cancer. It has been shown to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and cervical cancer.
Green tea lowers the risk of type II diabetes
Studies show that green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. Some studies have shown a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes for green tea drinkers than for those who consumed no tea.
Green tea lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease
Not only green tea can improve brain function in the short term but it may also protect your brain in old age. Multiple studies show that the various compounds in green tea can protect the neurons in test tubes and animal models from the toxic effect of protein amyloid-beta, potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
It’s no wonder this ancient drink is the second most widely consumed beverage next to water. So kick start your day with the refreshing green tea.
