No doubt you’ve heard by now that green tea is packed with health benefits.
I’m here today to tell you the whys and the hows:
Boosts metabolism: Green tea is our best source of metabolism-boosting EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) and the mild stimulant effects of its low levels of caffeine (24-40 mg per cup compared to 100-200 mg in a cup of coffee).
Eases allergies: Great news this time of the year! EGCG is not only a potent antioxidant, it’s also an anti allergen. At least one study shows it helps reduce pollen allergies and the quercetin in it works as a natural antihistamine.
Natural sunscreen: Plus many more endocrine disruptors, allergens, substances, that cause non-cancerous and cancerous tumors, organ toxicity, developmental and reproductive impairment, miscarriage, bio-accumulation (leading to toxic overload when it is not excreted) and more. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Boost brainpower: Recent research shows that green tea blocks the buildup of toxic protein fragments called beta amyloid plaques, which are a major contributor to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It also helps break down existing beta amyloid plaques and creates new neurons. Green tea has now been associated with a 54% reduction in the risk of developing dementia.
Lower risk of various types of cancer: Green tea’s wealth of antioxidants have been research-proven to protect against the effects of oxidation on cells, causing cancer, among other diseases. Analysis of large numbers of studies shows that women who drink the most green tea had a 22% lower risk of developing breast cancer, while their male counterparts have a 48% lower risk of prostate cancer and a huge Chinese study showed women who drank lots of green tea lowered their risk of colo-rectal cancer by 57%.
Lowers risk of diabetes: Several studies show green tea improves insulin sensitivity and reduce overall blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. One Japanese study showed that green tea aficionados reduced their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 42%, probably due, at least in part, to green tea’s ability to help people lose weight. Obesity is a majority contributing a factor to Type 2 diabetes.
Reduce risk of heart disease: Green tea helps reduce the major risk factor of the world’s #1 killer. It helps reduce total cholesterol, specifically the dangerous LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. At least three large studies shows that green tea drinkers reduce their risk of heart disease by up to 31%.
Live Longer: Finally, the reduced risk of dangerous diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes is one factor in longer life for tea drinkers, but there seems to be something else at work. Japanese researchers who followed more than 40,000 people for 11 years, found those who drank 5 or more cups a day were significantly less likely to die during the study period. This translated to a 23% lower risk of death in women and 12% lower risk in men. Deaths from heart disease were 31% less likely in women and 22% lower in men and, most impressively, women green tea drinkers had 42% fewer deaths from strokes and 35% fewer in men.
The Hows
You’ll need to drink 5 or 6 cups of green tea a day to have any real effect. It’s just as effective iced or hot.
Can’t stand the taste of green tea? I’m with you! Several companies make flavored green teas that include mint, melon, pomegranate and other flavors. Just check to be sure the flavors are natural and that there’s no added sugar. If you still really, really, really hate the taste, green tea concentrate is available in capsules.
