Green tea has earned a reputation as one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and metabolism-boosting compounds, this ancient drink has been celebrated for centuries. From weight management to lowering cholesterol, green tea has been hailed for its various benefits to promote health and well-being.
Although green tea offers several proven benefits, not all of its claims are supported by solid research. Green tea certainly deserves a place in your diet, but to really reap the benefits, it’s important to enjoy it as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Read on to learn the 10 science-backed benefits of green tea, then check out the 11 highest-quality green teas on grocery shelves.
You can lose weight.
If you are on a weight loss journey, drinking green tea can provide an extra calorie burn and help reduce belly fat. Green tea contains a plant compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can increase your metabolism and help you burn fat more efficiently.
If you want to reap the greatest weight loss benefits from green tea, choose the caffeinated version, exercise regularly, and follow a calorie-reduced diet.
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You could live a longer life.
Drinking green tea can even improve overall lifespan. Because green tea provides protective compounds against several chronic diseases, drinking it regularly has been associated with a longer life.
Drinking green tea daily reduces the risk of death from all causes, according to a major study in Japan involving over 300,000 people. While the greatest benefits were seen in those who drank more than 5 cups of green tea per day, longevity benefits were seen from just one cup of green tea per day.
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You can reduce your cancer risk.
While more research is needed, studies have suggested regular consumption of green tea may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Green tea is rich in polyphenols, beneficial plant compounds that act as antioxidants. These polyphenols can protect cells from DNA damage from free radicals, unstable compounds that can increase cancer risk.
It is important to note that green tea should not be used to treat cancer, but can be used as part of a healthy diet to reduce overall cancer risk.
You can lower your cholesterol.
At least 10% of adults in the United States have high cholesterol, according to CDC. Drinking green tea is associated with lower LDL cholesterol levels, the “bad” cholesterol that can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. This association was reviewed several studies involving over 3,000 people.
Contains green tea catechinspowerful antioxidants that can help remove cholesterol from the body. This overall improvement in cholesterol balance can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems and support long-term heart health.
Bottom line? Drinking 1-2 cups of green tea per day (as long as you don’t overload it with sugar) can support healthy cholesterol levels.
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You can improve your blood sugar.
Drinking green tea regularly can also help you manage your blood sugar levels. Studies have shown regular consumption of green tea can help lower fasting blood sugar levels and improve overall glucose metabolism (i.e. blood sugar).
It can do this through its ability to enable glucose absorption into cells, removing glucose from the blood and reducing the likelihood of blood sugar spikes.
While green tea alone will not cure high blood sugar, research shows that drinking green tea as part of a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Drinking green tea instead of sugary drinks, as long as you minimize the amount of sugar added, is a good place to start.
You may look younger.
Green tea can also help you look younger due to its high level of antioxidants. These antioxidants, especially EGCG, can protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals and UV exposure. These antioxidants help slow the breakdown of collagen, a structural protein that tends to decrease in the body as we age.
By supporting healthy collagen levels, green tea can help improve skin elasticity, which can fight wrinkles wrinkles and other visible signs of aging. In addition, green tea’s anti-inflammatory properties can soothe the skin, contributing to a more youthful complexion.
Your memory can be improved.
Not only does green tea provide benefits for your body, but it can also benefit your mind. Studies show that drinking green tea can improve memory, focus and general cognition.
But if you’re going to drink green tea for its cognitive benefits, it’s probably better to drink green tea with caffeine. This is because the combination of caffeine and other compounds in green tea seems to provide the greatest benefits.
L-theanine is one such compound, an amino acid that can increase attention and focus, helping to speed up your ability to tackle difficult tasks. It is also said to provide a more sustained level of alertness, usually without a subsequent energy crash.
You will have stronger legs.
The risk of bone loss increases with age, especially if you are not active, increasing the risk of falls or injuries. According to studiesdrinking at least one cup of green tea per day can protect against bone loss, osteoporosis and broken bones.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants that have been shown to strengthen bones by improving bone density and reducing the amount of age-related bone loss. In addition, green tea’s ability to reduce stress and inflammation in the body supports overall bone health, potentially reducing the risk of osteoporosis and improving bone density over time.
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You will get a better workout.
Green tea can provide a natural, sustained energy boost during exercise due to its combination of caffeine and L-theanine. Although it contains less caffeine than coffee, the amount is still sufficient increase physical activity and endurance with less jittery side effects often associated with higher amounts of caffeine.
This can also be particularly useful if you are sensitive to high doses of caffeine and energy drinks. Additionally, the type of energy that green tea can provide is also more sustaining, which can allow for more stable energy and, in turn, more effective workouts.
Try a glass of green tea before your next workout for a natural and safe way to feel more energized.
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You may feel less stressed.
Although you can’t eliminate all stress, drinking green tea can help you feel more calm. Research shows L-theanine found in green tea can promote this sense of calm and reduce stress by helping to regulate levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain.
These hormones affect mood and emotions, and regulating them can help the body better deal with stress.
Green tea’s simultaneous ability to increase both alertness and relaxation makes it an excellent choice for reducing stress without making you feel drowsy.
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