There aren’t many drinks which can claim to reduce the risk of cancer, help with fat loss, and boost your brain function, but there’s one in particular that boasts all three of these things. Naturally containing plenty of antioxidants and nutrients, green tea is one of the healthiest beverages that you could consume. Here are three main health benefits of green tea:
1 - It is packed with antioxidants that will improve your health
Green tea is high in natural compounds which are good for your body. Due to the polyphenols found in the leaves, green tea can be consumed to help reduce inflammation and the risk of cancer.
The leaves also contain Catechins called EGCG. These are antioxidants that can, amongst other things, protect your cells from damage. It is these protective properties that make green tea a fantastic healthy beverage. These protective properties reduce the probability of radical cell mutations, meaning that there is a reduced risk of cancerous cells forming.
Both polyphenols and Catechins also have beneficial ageing properties. Research shows that EGCG has many medicinal uses. It’s clear that green tea is a terrific herbal medicine! You don’t have to be sick to reap the benefits of green tea either - the minerals it contains are also essential to maintaining a healthy body.
2 - It Will Make You Smarter
Like coffee, green tea contains caffeine to help you stay alert. Caffeine affects your brain by inhibiting the neurotransmitter Adenosine. With Adenosine inhibited, the rate of activity of your neurons increases. There will also be a higher concentration of the reward neurotransmitter dopamine, and another called norepinephrine. These reactions caused by caffeine will all lead to better memory, reaction time, and vigilance, helping you learn more effectively. The caffeine in green tea can also inhibit the neurotransmitter GABA. This, in turn, reduces anxiety and stress. This is important for healthy brain function and helps you be more productive.
3 - It Can Help You Lose Weight and Physically Perform Better
Green tea increases your body’s metabolism, helping you burn fat faster. In fact, the ingredients contained in green tea can also be found in fat burning supplements. The difference here is that green tea is a natural product with no harmful side effects. Scientists have researched the fat-burning properties of green tea and reported it can increase your energy expenditure by 4%.
Hence, drinking green tea daily can help you lose weight in a healthy manner, and you didn’t even have to spend a minute on a treadmill for it! Furthermore, the caffeine in green tea can increase your physical performance as it makes the fat in your body readily available to be converted into energy. This increase in physical performance has been claimed to be up to 12% better. If you’re a sports enthusiast, consider incorporating green tea into your diet to help boost your performance; since it’s a natural product, there’s no harm in trying it.
Now that you’re aware of the magical powers of green tea, go ahead and give it a try! You will soon see the benefits of this low-calorie drink. Just remember when buying your green tea, you must choose high-quality brands to ensure it contains the highest concentration of antioxidants and minerals. Where better to purchase high-quality green tea than at King and Queen? Get in touch today to see how we can help!