Green tea is touted to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.It’s loaded with antioxidants that have many health benefits, which may include:
- improved brain function
- fat loss
- protecting against cancer
- lowering the risk of heart disease
There may be even more potential health benefits.
Here are 10 possible health benefits of green tea.
1. Contains healthy bioactive compounds
Green tea is more than just a hydrating beverage.
The green tea plant contains a range of healthy compounds that make it into the final drink
Tea is rich in polyphenols, which are natural compounds that have health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and helping to fight cancer.
Green tea contains a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Catechins are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other benefits.
These substances can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals play a role in aging and many types of diseases.
EGCG is one of the most powerful compounds in green tea. Research has tested its ability to help treat various diseases. It appears to be one of the main compounds that gives green tea its medicinal properties
Green tea also has small amounts of minerals that can benefit your health.
Try to choose a higher quality brand of green tea, because some of the lower quality brands can contain excessive amounts of fluoride
That being said, even if you choose a lower quality brand, the benefits still outweigh any risk.
2. May improve brain function
Green tea does more than just keep you alert, it may also help boost brain function.
The key active ingredient is caffeine, which is a known stimulant.
It doesn’t contain as much as coffee, but enough to produce a response without causing the jittery effects associated with taking in too much caffeine.
Caffeine affects the brain by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine.This way, it increases the firing of neurons and the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine
Research has consistently shown that caffeine can improve various aspects of brain function, including mood, vigilance, reaction time, and memory
However, caffeine isn’t the only brain-boosting compound in green tea. It also contains amino acid L-theanine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier
L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects. It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain
Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects. This means that the combination of the two can have particularly powerful effects in improving brain function
Because of the L-theanine and the small dose of caffeine, green tea may give you a much milder and different kind of buzz than coffee.
Many people report having more stable energy and being much more productive when they drink green tea, compared with coffee.
3. Increases fat burning
If you look at the ingredients list for any fat burning supplement, chances are, green tea will be on there.
This is because, according to research, green tea can increase fat burning and boost metabolic rate
In one study involving 10 healthy men, taking green tea extract increased the number of calories burned by 4%. In another involving 12 healthy men, green tea extract increased fat oxidation by 17%, compared with those taking a placebo.
However, some studies on green tea don’t show any increase in metabolism, so the effects may depend on the individual and how the study was set up
Caffeine may also improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from fat tissue and making them available for use as energy
Two separate review studies reported that caffeine may increase physical performance by approximately 11–12%
