If You Enjoy Drinking Tea, Try This One for Major Health Benefits
Green tea has been around for thousands of years and is beloved by many cultures for its refreshing flavor and health benefits. In this post, we’ll explore the different health benefits that green tea offers. Whether you’re a green tea beginner or a lifelong drinker, this post has something for you. So grab a cup of green tea and settle in for a relaxing read.
History of Green Tea
Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation process used to make oolong teas and black teas. It originated in China but has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia.
The earliest evidence of tea drinking dates back to the 10th century BC, in China. In the 8th century, Chinese writer Lu Yu wrote The Classic of Tea, which helped spread Chinese culture and tea-drinking habits to other parts of Asia.
Tea became popular in Japan during the 12th century. Zen Buddhist monks began drinking tea as a way to stay awake during long hours of meditation. By the end of the 16th century, tea drinking had become widespread in Japan and thus moved to other parts of the world through trade.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. It’s loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. The main antioxidant in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been linked to numerous health benefits.
Cognitive Benefits
It’s no secret that what we eat and drink can have an impact on our cognitive abilities. The caffeine in coffee, for example, is well-known to improve alertness and focus. Green tea also contains caffeine. This combination of caffeine and EGCG has been shown to have synergistic effects on cognitive function.
A study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that drinking green tea improved task performance on a working memory task in healthy adults. The authors of the study concluded that the combination of caffeine and EGCG in green tea may enhance cognitive function by increasing cerebral blood flow (more oxygen and nutrients flowing to the brain) and improving brain metabolism.
Another study published in the Journal of Nutritional Neuroscience, found green tea consumption was associated with improved cognitive function, specifically in the areas of verbal fluency and working memory. The authors also suggested the catechins in green tea may be responsible for these cognitive benefits.
In addition, EGCG has also been shown to protect neurons from damage and promote the growth of new neurons. This protection is thought to be due to the antioxidant properties of EGCG.
Green tea also contains theanine, an amino acid that has been shown to promote relaxation without causing drowsiness. Theanine has also been shown to increase levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which are linked to improved mood and cognitive function.
More Health Benefits
In addition to boosting metabolism and promoting fat burning, green tea can also help you lose weight by increasing fullness and reducing calorie intake.
Green tea can also improve heart health. ECGC has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels and help prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques in the arteries. It’s also been shown to help lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and preventing inflammation, which may also decrease the risk of a stroke.
Green tea could also be beneficial for people with diabetes. It’s been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes are at a higher risk for heart disease, so drinking green tea may help reduce this risk.
Conclusion
Drinking green tea comes with a plethora of health benefits. It can improve brain function, help you lose weight, and improve heart health, among other things. If you’re looking for a healthy beverage to add to your diet, green tea would make a great choice.