The numerous well-researched health benefits of green tea make it a fantastic drink to put in your diet to the prevention and therapy for cancer, heart complications, cardiovascular disorders, higher cholesterol levels, rheumatoid arthritis, disease, tooth decay, and lots of more. Green tea includes an antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), which provides chemo-preventive properties.

What’s Green Tea?

Unbeknownst to many green teas comes from precisely the same plant from where ordinary tea is acquired. Scientifically, it’s referred to as Camellia sinensis. It’s precisely the identical tea but it’s processed otherwise. The typical black tea is acquired by fermenting the tea leaves. This fermentation alters its colour and taste when increasing the amount of caffeine and tannin in it. On the flip side, in the event of green tea, freshly harvested leaves are immediately steamed to reduce fermentation, leading to a dry secure item. Throughout that steaming procedure, the colour of the leaves isn’t bothered letting the tea to keep its green colour.

Together with caffeine, which gives green tea its characteristic flavor, bitterness, and stimulating impact, green tea can also be abundant in several compounds, called polyphenols. Tannins are also a sort of polyphenol that leads to the bitter flavor and astringency in tea. The significant polyphenols of green tea contain flavonoids called catechins, for example, epicatechin, epicatechin 3 gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These flavonoids are extremely strong antioxidants and collectively with a few amino acids such as thiamine, are liable for the potent taste of green tea.

Additional green tea also contains amino acids like theanine, tyrosine, and leucine, xanthine alkaloids like adenine, dimethylxanthine, theobromine, theophylline, and xanthine; carbohydrates like pectin (also found in fruits), together with sugar, sucrose, and fructose; pigments like chlorophyll, and triterpene saponins. Vitamins, such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, and E can also be present in green tea. After that impressive listing, maybe you can start to comprehend how packaged green tea is using nourishment and valuable components.

The health benefits of green tea are all mainly because of the antioxidant properties which come from its caffeine, catechin polyphenols, and theanine content. The significant health advantages stemming from the antioxidant material are given below.

(1) Delays Aging

The free radicals generated within the body are responsible for corroding the entire body in a variety of ways, among which we see as the symptoms of aging and its associated symptoms. Antioxidant-rich green tea extract the oxidants or free radicals within the body. The catechin polyphenols found inside are highly accountable for its antioxidizing effects, the most effective one of them being the epigallocatechin gallate. Therefore, regular ingestion of the tea can effectively postpone the symptoms and signs of aging.

(2) Has Stimulating Effect

Among the chief reasons for its prevalence and consumption of all sorts of tea by individual cultures is its stimulating effect. This impact, again, is because of the caffeine and tannins present in the tea leaves. Caffeine and tannins, despite their potentially adverse impacts on health, in the long term, act as very powerful stimulants. That’s the reason why a cup of tea makes you feel refreshing and thoroughly energized. Tea is also a simple and perfect remedy to counter fatigue, laziness, sleepiness, and too little energy, and also to enhance blood flow. That is precisely why it’s popular with a vast array of individuals in a variety of businesses, such as professionals, housewives, students, and anybody else that has ever felt somewhat tired during the daytime!

(3) Boosts Immunity

Research demonstrates that individuals who frequently drink green tea don’t fall prey to common viral and bacterial diseases as readily as the ones who don’t add it to their diet plan. The catechins, within green tea, stop germs and viruses from attaching themselves into mobile walls to infect them. All these catechins also counter the toxins released by germs. This antimicrobial property additionally protects you from bad breath, dysentery, diarrhea, tooth decay, indigestion, influenza, cough, and cold, and ailments, and all which are brought on by the fungal and parasitic activity.

(4) Astringency

This is still another powerful benefit of green tea. Astringent compounds activate contractions in tissues and muscles while toning muscles and skin. Even should you not want to consume this tea, an easy, daily mouthwash with it may cause adequate contraction on your teeth to maintain them tight and firm about the teeth, thereby preventing loosening and loss of teeth. You may even clean your hair with green tea and believe it grow stronger and healthier every day.

(5) Prevents Cancer

Kazue Imai Litt. D., et al. revealed that green tea contains anti-cancer properties. According to the National Cancer Institute, green tea is full of polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which assist in removing free radicals and might cause cell death or apoptosis in cancerous cells.

Aside from causing premature aging, free radicals will also be responsible for causing specific forms of cancer. The catechins present in green tea can help neutralize those free radicals, stop the creation of carcinogens such as nitrosamines and lessen the possibility of cancer.

Breast cancer: Based on a research by Ogunleye AA, et al. (Harvard School of Public Health) that there is not any obvious association between the consumption of green tea and the risk of breast cancer.
Prostate cancer: The following analysis by Kurahashi N, et al. indicates that the consumption of green tea helps reduce the risk of advanced prostate cancer in Japanese men.

Further, even more, clinical signs and massive trials need to encourage the usage of the tea full of polyphenols as a preventative measure against influenza.

(6) Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Studies indicate that green tea considerably reduces LDL cholesterol( low- density lipoprotein or cholesterol) concentrations. Green tea is effective in reducing cholesterol levels to some degree, likely because of its alkalinity.

(7) Improves Cardiac & Arterial Health

Certain elements in green tea may also lower blood pressure reducing the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease

(8) Controls Diabetes

If not obtained with glucose, the alkaline character of green tea helps decrease the blood sugar level. Besides, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea guarantee decent health and better operation of the pancreas. Improving the role of the pancreas usually means a much more efficient and controlled secretion of insulin and the following progress in esophageal and consuming glucose. This growth in successful functions can assist in preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease.

(9) Weight Reduction

Believe it or not, green tea also helps people eliminate weight by boosting the speed of metabolism, thus promoting a quicker consumption of the fat storage of their human body. Lately, green tea has altered some different drinks as it assists in weight reduction. Drink a cup or two of green tea each morning and you’re certain to eliminate a couple of pounds of extra fat over a week or so.

(10) Boosts Stamina & Endurance

Only have a cup of green tea after a few demanding exercises and you’ll be prepared for a couple more sets very quickly. What’s more, it effectively lifts muscle pain due to overexertion of muscles. Although green tea is not widely consumed because of the existence of energy drinks on the current market, if you see Japan and China, you may see that green tea is your premier beverage employed by practitioners of martial arts and several other sports.

(11) Detoxifies the Body

Green tea is the best treatment for especially savage hangovers and exhaustion resulting from the use of alcoholic drinks and too little sleep. Begin your hangover with a massive cup of green tea with lemon, along with the hangover will fade into poor memory. Green tea with lemon juice is a nice and popular treatment to get rid of the tiring effects of alcohol nearly immediately.

Kinds of Green Tea

Gyokurocha: within this variety, the tea leaves are plucked from the tip of the branches. Once brewed, the color is apparent green. Being picked in the trick, this assortment has the best taste and odor, and this number is also considered the best in terms of health. Furthermore, it is not as sour, as it comprises diminished tannin and caffeine because the plucked leaves are younger and still budding. The sole drawback to gyokurocha is the high price, but as we all know, really high-quality solutions for health never come cheap!

Sencha: Sencha comes from the same plant, but in this green tea variation, the leaves are from the middle of the branch and therefore are bigger, older, and less tender than Gyokurocha. This variety gives a clean, mild green tea if brewed as well. Naturally, it is more bitter and more powerful than the former variety. Being a noble source (middle of the branch) and with more caffeine and tannin, it’s cheaper and more popular than Gyokurocha.

Bancha: Bancha is made from the tender twigs of the tea plant that makes it very strong and bitter. Once brewed, it gives gold-brown tea. This is an even more economical version of green tea compared to the preceding two.

Matcha: It creates a superbly green-colored tea and creates a great deal of foam (froth), but includes a poorer aroma compared to leafy varieties. This wide variety of green tea is remarkably well known in traditional ceremonies and is occasionally also known as Ceremonial Green Tea. It’s much less bitter than another three types, so once you sip it, it appears to hold a pure sweetness, especially if you’re knowledgeable about the other kinds.

Houjicha: Also called”Hojicha”, this isn’t a pure or green tea. Instead, it’s a combination of green tea and powdered roasted peppers like barley, wheat, or rice. The quality and cost of the variety depend upon the ratio or percentage of green tea into cereal content. The greater ones, that have green tea in them, are more costly and have a more brilliant appearance when brewed; on the flip side, those with greater grain contents give a golden brown colour and are more economical.

Genmaicha: Upon steeping, it yields a golden yellow tea, quite pleasant in the flavor and odor because of the existence of roasted brown rice.

Decaffeinated Green Tea: this isn’t a particular selection, but it might be well worth mentioning here. Any of the aforementioned varieties can arrive in a decaffeinated form.

Additional Varieties: The main varieties mentioned previously are mixed in various combinations to generate a lot more types with various titles, the amount of making it pointless to record here. Proceed into a tea shop and research yourself!

Availability of Green Tea

Asian nations such as Japan and China would be the largest manufacturers of green tea (they create the very best quality also ) and therefore are also its most significant customers. Green tea available in different markets is found in much smaller amounts than black tea. What’s more, it’s still gaining popularity, also you’ll be able to get it at any given contemporary store. It is also possible to purchase it by a local tea provider, over the telephone or online. It’s almost invariably imported from China (more affordable ) and Japan (more costly ) and can be packaged in sealed packs of 200 g, 250 g, and 500 g ) Purchase smaller amounts if at all possible, so you get to create a fresh beverage. Also, check the date of production and packaging before buying.

Decaffeinating Green Tea

Since a lot of men and women are conscious of the possible detrimental effects of caffeine, many choose to prevent it in their drinks, yet they need a huge variety of advantages that green tea offers. Fortunately, there are just two industrial procedures and one national procedure for decaffeination of this tea, all are explained on the right side article.

Industrial Process-1: within this procedure, green tea leaves have been treated with ethyl acetate, which drains out the majority of the caffeine. Unfortunately, you lose many of the antioxidants, antioxidants, and vitamins along with the caffeine as well.

Domestic Process: This is a very straightforward process. It entails repeated spoonful of the tea in warm water and the use of this water (you may use this tea to serve those who don’t mind using caffeinated tea). The more you repeat the process, the caffeine there’ll be left in the java, but the same is true of the taste and flavor. Do not overdo it. A couple of steepings are probably safe. After all, you do need tea and not plain, hot water, right?

Fun facts

Do you know what the term”cha” means, which is frequently found in the titles of different qualities of green tea such as gyokurocha, sencha, bancha, matcha, and houjicha? It only means”tea” tea is extremely popular all over India since”cha” (in Bengal & adjoining states) and”chai” in different regions. Just some interesting facts for you to share with other tea fans over your next cup of green tea!