Green tea offers many health benefits. It helps prevent cancer, dementia, and can aid in weight loss. How can this one drink offer so much? The answer lies in its key ingredient which is the antioxidant known as catechins. This powerful antioxidant comes from the herbal flower Camellia Sinensis.
This plant is the source for not only green tea, but for oolong, and black teas as well. Their differences lie in the variations in the processing they go through. Black tea leaves go through a complete fermenting process, which reduces their active ingredients which are the polyphenols. The oolong tea leaves go through a partial fermentation and have moderate levels of polyphenols. Green tea offers the best nutritional and health benefits because its leaves are steamed rather than fermented. As a result, it offers the greatest amount of polyphenols.
Polyphenols are a rich source of the antioxidants which are commonly referred to as catechins. Catechins block free radicals, which damage cells in the body and speed up the aging process. In other words, the key ingredients in this healthy tea can help you look younger longer. These antioxidants also lower cholesterol levels in the body, which means it offers protection from heart disease. Lowering your cholesterol and reducing your risk for a heart attack can also lower your risk for dementia since these conditions have been linked to Alzheimer's and other forms of memory loss. This tea may also provide protection against cancer.
Green tea can help you maintain a trim waistline. The reason for this is because the ingredients contained in green tea help prevent the intestines from absorbing excess fat. They also help in the process of weight loss by preventing the absorption of fat from the intestines. This tea may also help arthritis patients too.
Another reason that this tea is so good for you is that it contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is also an extremely beneficial antioxidant. It helps control blood sugar levels. This is why it also helps prevent diabetes.
The antioxidants contained in this tea are extremely powerful and they can keep you healthy in so many ways. In order to maximize the benefits of green tea, make drinking this tea a part of your daily ritual. Drink at least 4 cups of this tea every day. It is also available in the form of a supplement. Consult your physician before taking this or any other supplement as they may interact with certain medications.
Jenna Gray is a writer who does extensive research on health related issues. Learn more about green tea and health and how to get the most from this powerful tea.
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