How Green Tea Can Benefit You
Many cultures are very devoted to their tea, and rightfully so. The health benefits of various types of teas have been known for centuries. One of the most fascinated things about teas is that they can soothe you while also boosting your sense of alertness. This is especially true of green tea.
People are very passionate about their green tea because of its health benefits, mainly its antioxidants. Just like some other foods such as berries and red wine, green tea is very potent in polyphenols, especially a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which offers significantly more antioxidant benefits than vitamins C and E.
Studies have shown that epigallocatechin 3-gallate has powerful effects against several diseases, including cancer. The catechins that are contained in green tea also help human cartilage from degrading.
Other studies have shown the health benefits of green tea range from improved brain function to helping prevent chronic diseases. Essentially, green tea is a powerful drink that is very beneficial to your health, so as you are drinking it, you should know how to get the most out of it as you can.
How to Get the Greatest Benefit from Green Tea’s Flavonoids
There are various kinds of antioxidants in green tea, but depending on the green tea you are drinking, you may not be getting as many antioxidants as you could be. Studies have shown that a therapeutic dose of antioxidants contained in green tea is between 300 and 1000 mg per day. While green tea is the most likely tea to provide you with these antioxidants, you have to pick the right type. Brewed green tea contains 180 mg of EGCG (the beneficial antioxidant) per cup. However, the decaffeinated version of green tea only has 60 mg. Even worse is that bottled green tea only contains 10 mg.
On a positive note, one study showed that 1/2 cup of real green tea gives the same antioxidant potential as almost 2.5 pounds of fresh fruit.
Green Tea’s Remarkable Benefits
Studies have shown that people who drink over six cups per day of green tea have less inflammation in the bodies, along with several other health benefits. Green tea can also help prevent cavities and be useful in decreasing inflammation associated with arthritis. The chemicals in green tea are also effective in the treatment of genital warts along with other dermatologic conditions.
In some countries such as China and India, people consume green tea on a daily basis for a variety of health reasons. They believe it is effective in getting rid of excess bodily fluid, healing wounds, controlling bleeding, and improving heart health. It is also used to regulate blood glucose levels, improve cognition, and aid in digestion.
Green Tea in the Fight Against Acne
Because green tea is an anti-inflammatory, people have found it to be helpful when they are struggling with acne. Studies have shown that people who have severe acne have more inflammation and fewer antioxidants than people with only mild acne. Inflammation can be caused by several things, including poor gut health, poor sleep, and high stress.
Because acne has so often been linked to diet in studies, people who suffer from acne should strongly consider their food choices. Researchers have often noted that people living in indigenous societies have a very little incidence of acne, while in more enlightened populations, acne is a widespread problem.
The Most Effective Way to Brew Green Tea
The processing of tea leaves makes a big difference in its health benefits. Powdered matcha tea is green but has other differences that set it apart from regular green tea.
When brewing regular green tea, you soak the leaves in hot water and let them steep. However, matcha green tea is very finely ground green tea leaves.
When you steep tea, you get significantly less of the powerful antioxidants than if you drink loose leaf or powdered teas. This is either because the tea bag prevents some antioxidants from being absorbed, or that the tea in the bag contains lower quality leaves.
Studies show that the hotter the water you use to brew your loose-leaf tea, the more antioxidants will release from the leaves. If you brew green tea at water that is mildly hot, you are likely to get very few antioxidant benefits from the tea.
The best amount of loose-leaf tea to use is a ratio of one teaspoon of tea for each cup of water. It is important to drink the freshly brewed tea while it’s hot, and if you can stand to drink it plain, skip the milk because it only diminishes the potency of the antioxidants. If you want to add some flavor to your tea, try squeezing some lemon in it instead, which will boost its health benefits even more.
Fitness Together Mission Hills offers personal training with qualified professionals by regular appointment in private suites. Exercise and nutritional programs are custom designed to fit your needs and abilities. Call (619) 794-0014 for more information or to schedule a free fitness diagnostic and private training session. See what others are saying about us on Yelp.
Category: Other
