The health benefits of green tea have been a subject matter of discussion amongst tea enthusiasts everywhere. Being a storehouse of many antioxidant compounds, it’s easy to assume that green tea is one of the healthiest beverages. In fact, traditional Chinese medicine has staunchly held that drinking green tea helps relieve body aches and pains, aids digestion, impacts the process of detoxification, and, generally, enhances the quality of life. Numerous recent studies have demonstrated that the aqueous extract of green tea polyphenols contains antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties.
In vitro studies and clinical trials that take into account biomarkers of oxidative stress (the inability of the body to counteract or detoxify free radicals through neutralization by antioxidants) provide strong evidence that green tea polyphenols can play an important role in reducing the risk of several chronic diseases, including prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Some studies have also tried to study the benefits of green tea on bone density, dental caries, and kidney function, and have come forward with promising results. However, results from epidemiological studies and in vivo clinical trials that try to establish a definite relationship between consuming green tea and human health are conflicting and inconclusive, at this point.
It is important to highlight, though, that across all studies regarding the health benefits of green tea, green tea has successfully demonstrated its ability to positively impact one or more aspects of the human body beyond its adequate nutritional effects. So let’s look at the reasons why green tea is good for health.
Green tea and cancer
Today, many cancer prevention studies focus on slowing the cell-aging process and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells without affecting the growth of normal cells. And the role of green tea in protecting normal cells from turning cancerous has been supported by ample in vivo, in vitro and epidemiological studies. In vitro studies have shown that consumption of green tea can inhibit carcinogenesis of the skin, lung, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, liver, kidney, prostate and other organs. Advantages of green tea have also been observed in countries where people drink it regularly, particularly in southeast Asia. In these regions, it has been observed that there are a significantly fewer number of patients suffering from cancer.
However, it is important to note that the chemopreventive effects of green tea depend on a lot of factors, including bioavailability of antioxidants, its effect on cell growth and apoptosis, and the extent to which it improves the function of intestinal bacterial flora.
Green tea and weight loss
One of the most valued benefits of drinking green tea is its ability to improve the metabolic capabilities of the human body. It helps burn bad (LDL) cholesterol and prevents various cardiovascular ailments. Drinking green tea is recommended as a part of a healthy lifestyle and not a substitute for it. For those of you wondering if green tea is healthy for your skin, you’ll be happy to know that the tea’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties help in fighting both acne and blackheads when applied to the skin, making it a safe and cost-effective alternative to other skin treatments.
Whether you choose to have green tea with lemon or with honey, drinking green tea in the morning is a great way to start your day. When talking about organic green tea benefits, you should know that it is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. These include improved brain function, fat loss, a lower risk of cancer and more.
How many cups of green tea should you drink a day?
Drinking three to five cups of green tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits.
Also read: Green tea and weight loss: lessons from jockeys, dancers, and athletes
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