Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea is very well known for its health benefits. The reason that makes green tea special is that it is high in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful antioxidant, which not only inhibits new cancer cells growth but also kills them without harming healthy cells. Green tea has wide range of health benefits because of its chemical makeup, which gives positive affects to so many different bodily systems. Let's discuss some of the health benefits of green tea.
Green Tea helps in Preventing Cancer
One of the health benefits of green tea is that it can prevent cancer. Green tea is a very powerful antioxidant that has anticancer effects. Polyphenols present in green tea, blocks the formation of cancer causing compounds and detoxifies cancer-causing chemicals. It helps in preventing the cancers of gastrointestinal tract like stomach cancer, colon cancer and small intestine cancer. It also prevents cancers like lung and breast cancers.
Green Tea helps in Reducing Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to serious health problems like atherscloerosis. Atherscloerosis is known cause for heart diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Green tea has a beneficial effect in lowering blood pressure thus helping in quick recovery of heart attack victims.
Green Tea helps in Reducing Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is necessary for important processes like manufacturing of cell membranes. But increase in its level may be responsible for causing various diseases. Studies have shown that green tea helps to reduce bad cholesterol. Drinking green tea 2 times a day helps to reduce cholesterol levels.
Green Tea helps in Reducing Blood Sugar
Studies have shown that green tea has a beneficial effect in reducing the levels of sugar in the blood. It was found that there was a reduction in level of sugar in urine of some diabetic patients who consumed green tea.
Green Tea helps in Losing Weight
Green tea may help in losing weight by affecting glucose levels. Catechins present in green tea help to prevent obesity by inhibiting the movement of glucose in fat cells.
Other Health Benefits of Green Tea
Some of the other health benefits of green tea include:
- Green tea can help to prevent tooth decay and bad breath.
- Green tea can help to prevent colds and flu.
- It helps to relieve stress and fatigue.
- It helps in reducing DNA damage.
- It helps in boosting the immune functions of skin cells.
- Due to its bacteria-destroying abilities it helps in preventing food poisoning.
- It helps in slowing down HIV infection process.
- Due to its antiviral and antibacterial properties it helps in relieving influenza or diarrhea.
- It reduces the risk of strokes.
- It helps to prevent dangerous blood clotting.
- It also helps to reduce symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Dinking too much of green tea may reduce its health benefits. Therefore preparing a perfect cup of green tea is necessary to achieve all its benefits. Boil a cup of water. Allow it to cool for about 3 minutes. Take 2-4 grams or one tea bag of green tea. Now pour the boiled water over the tea and steep it for 3 minutes. If you are using a tea bag remove it after 3 minutes. Allow the tea to cool for another 3 minutes.
