Green tea is a well-known superfood because it is very healthy for you. What separates this type of tea from the rest?
A comprehensive list of the benefits of green tea is provided below, giving you a better idea of why you should brew a mug to start (or end) your day. While there are some drawbacks to drinking kombucha that is not as well known, we will give you some tips on how to overcome them to get the most benefits from this beverage.
So, find a comfortable spot and get ready for tea time!
WHAT IS GREEN TEA?
Green tea is a delicious and beneficial beverage made from the Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are quickly heated to turn them into tea. This helps maintain their fresh green color and flavors. You can drink coffee, either hot or cold, depending on your mood or preferences.
The first herbal tea ever brewed is said to be green tea, which dates back to 2737 B.C. Since its effects on the human body are so unique, people have been drinking green tea for over 4,700 years. Green tea originated in China, Japan, and Korea. Today, you can find green tea from all over the world.
The fact that the most common types of tea come from the same plant is interesting. The different end products depend on the different processes.
Green tea is one of the best varieties of tea for you. Minimizing oxidation during processing helps to keep many of the most useful compounds in the product intact.
WHAT IS MATCHA?
Matcha is a type of green tea that has many of the same health benefits as regular green tea. It can also be used to flavor food and drinks. Matcha is a type of green tea that is made into powder form. You can add the powder to hot water, make a latte, blend it into a smoothie, or use it to add flavor and color to your favorite recipes.
Matcha tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, but because it’s grown slightly differently, it has its own unique nutrient profile. The leaves used to make matcha are grown in shade, which increases their amino acid content. Since matcha powder is made from the entire tea leaf, it typically contains more caffeine and antioxidants than traditional green tea.
Matcha can help improve your liver, brain, heart, and weight, just like green tea and green tea extract.
GREEN TEA BENEFITS
Green tea has a lot of benefits that make it a great choice for a refreshing beverage. More and more people are incorporating it into their daily routine. A few of the many health benefits of green tea are listed below.
FIGHT FREE RADICALS AND PROTECT YOUR HEART WITH POLYPHENOLS
Green tea contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. The polyphenols in green tea may help to reduce inflammation caused by oxidative stress.
This beverage contains green tea catechins and flavonoids, which are the same polyphenols found in chocolate and coffee beans.
The catechins in green tea may improve cardiovascular health by reducing LDL cholesterol, according to an analysis of 14 studies. Reducing the amount of oxidized LDL in your body may improve your heart health, and may lower your risk of having a heart attack or developing cardiovascular disease. A lower level of oxidized LDL is often an indicator of reduced inflammation. Catechins also may counter high blood pressure.
The study found that green tea supplements are just as effective as drinking fresh green tea. So, if you want the benefits of green tea but don’t like the taste, you can take a supplement instead.
Catechins become biologically inactive when they bind to calcium ions. To get the most benefit from green tea’s catechins, make your tea with water bottled in glass if you live in an area with hard water (not mineral water—distilled is best). Don’t add milk either; it’ll do the same thing.
GREEN TEA BENEFITS FOR SKIN
People who drink green tea may see benefits in their skin health. when taken as a supplement or applied topically, green tea has shown to be effective in helping manage skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis.
It can also help improve your skin’s elasticity to fight off aging and reduce the effects of sun damage.
Green tea has many health benefits, which can be obtained by drinking it or by using green tea-based products topically on the skin.
RELAX WITH GREEN TEA AND L-THEANINE
Green tea contains amino acids, which are the building blocks for proteins in your body. L-theanine is the most abundant amino acid in green tea, making up 1-2% of the dry weight of the leaves. It’s the compound responsible for green tea’s unique taste.
Theanine is often used as a food additive to contribute a savory flavor to dishes, similar to how MSG does. Although both MSG and theanine provide a savory flavor, theanine does not have the negative effects that MSG does.
It relaxes people, especially those who are anxious, by increasing alpha brain waves. Alpha waves are electrical impulses that occur in the brain. They’re associated with a relaxed mental state. Theanine increases alpha wave activity during meditation, quiet rest, and after ingestion. researchers found that taking 50 mg of theanine increased alpha brain wave activity by approximately 20 percent.
A cup of green tea contains about 8 mg of theanine. As of yet, there is no indication that such a small dose of green tea will have any effect on reducing anxiety. However, given that green tea has been used as a calming drink for over 4,000 years, it is not impossible that it could have some effect.
MAY HELP BURN FAT
There is some evidence to suggest that green tea may help to burn fat. An extract of green tea increased total energy expenditure by 4% over a 24-hour period, and it shifted the body’s metabolism to prioritize burning fat over carbs.
A different study gave overweight people either green tea that had just been brewed, green tea extract, or water for eight weeks. The groups of people who drank green tea lost more weight than the groups who didn’t, and they also had a lower LDL cholesterol level. The average weight loss for those who drank freshly brewed green tea was about a pound more than those who took green tea extract.
Having a healthy weight can help reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes and other diseases.
How to take Green tea?
It is very important to understand the correct technique to prepare any food or beverage to avoid losing nutrients. To get the most benefits from green tea, use perfect green tea leaves and follow this recipe. You don’t need to be a great cook to make this dish, but if you understand how each step contributes to its deliciousness, you’ll never go wrong! A good recipe will make a good beverage
1. Take 5 grams or 1 teaspoon of green leaves.
2. Boil water till it reaches 80 degrees centigrade. If we don’t heat amino acids and polyphenols to the correct temperature, we’ll end up with a bitter taste instead of the sweetness these compounds can create.
How to bring water to the perfect temperature?
- You can boil the water and let it cool down for a while to bring the temperature down
- you can turn off the heat just before it starts boiling.
- You can use a food thermometer as well to check the temperature.
3. Preferably, pour hot water into a glass or steel cup. Add the leaves and cover it for 3 minutes. To make green tea, add water to a teapot or teacup and let the essence from the green tea leaves steep in the water.
4. Strain the tea in another cup and enjoy it.
5. You can add whatever flavors you like to make it more enjoyable.
6. If you are trying to lose weight, it is best to avoid adding sugar or any other sweeteners to your food. If you cannot have plain sugar, you can add a half teaspoon of honey or jaggery. Don’t forget that you shouldn’t add honey when the liquid is too hot.
7. Green Tea should never be consumed quickly, it should be savored sip by sip.
Can Green Tea be flavored?
Green Tea tastes delicious in its purest form, but few people find it to be bitter, and avoid it as a result. To make your water more interesting, try adding some fruit or herbs for flavor. After the water has started boiling, add cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, Amla powder or Tulsi leaves, Mint or bay leaves.
Adding 1 teaspoon of Amla juice, lemon juice or ginger juice will change the taste.
Mix things up a bit by adding some pineapple or blueberry or cranberry juice to your regular green tea.
Some Green Teas available in markets may be artificially flavored. Do not fall for these teas. Try flavoring your green tea with spices and herbs from your kitchen to make a healthier and tastier drink.
Apparently, adding milk to green tea can reduce the effectiveness of the antioxidants and may not promote weight loss after all. To have the maximum health benefits from green tea avoid adding milk.
Parameters to check before buying good green tea?
- Choose Organically Produce loose Green Tea leaves to avoid the risk of Pesticides and Harsh Chemicals
- Fresh Green tea leaves must look green in color
- Leaves must be broad in size.
- Green Tea leaves harvested in March -April will be at its peak in nutrient value.
The shelf life of Green Tea is 6 months; check properly the packaged date before buying. - Avoid added sugars in green tea.
- Check Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) content on the package. The one with good ECGC content is good to opt for.
- The smell of good green tea must be grassy, light, and fresh.
- Store the loose green tea leaves in glass or porcelain closed containers.
What is the Best Time To have Green Tea?
Green Tea can be consumed throughout the year. This beverage is perfect for summer because it quenches thirst, and in winter it boosts immunity.
Now the question is, what is the best time to have green tea?
- Have the Green tea in the mid-morning or early evening (before 5 PM) for the best results.
- Avoid having it at night times as it may interfere with sleep due to the caffeine present in it.
- Avoid having it on Empty stomachs as Green Tea contains Tannins which can build up more acids on empty stomach. It can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, and Nausea as well. Have it in between meals. Having green tea on empty stomach has shown a negative effect on the spleen.
- It is recommended to not drink green tea immediately after a meal. It may impair digestion by making gastric juice diluted.
- Drinking Green tea immediately after any food will hinder the absorption of nutrients from the food. For example, if you eat it after curd it will hinder calcium absorption from it. If you have it after your palak dal, it will hinder the absorption of Iron from the meal.
- Do not drink Green tea after having fruit like banana, apple, papaya, or guava. It will cause diarrhea or bloating.
- Do not drink two acidic beverages immediately, like Coffee after green tea. It will create havoc in the gut.
- When there is an urge to eat or drink Junk, green tea can come to the rescue. One cup of green Tea may calm the urge to dump junk in the body.
- Green Tea can be taken before going to work out or after an intense workout.
Bottomline
The next most healthy beverage after water is green tea. But how to take green tea for health benefits? Some of the many health benefits of green tea include weight loss, preventing sugar spikes in diabetes, maintaining a healthy heart, and preventing cancer. Knowing the health benefits, who can resist this drink? Green tea has numerous health benefits, so try swapping out 1 or 2 cups of your regular chai or coffee for green tea. Choose the best green tea leaves to make a healthy drink. You should drink two to three cups of green tea to get the most benefits from it. The best time to drink green tea is around 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. Green tea should not be consumed on an empty stomach or late in the evening in order to avoid potential side effects. You can enjoy your cup of Green Tea without feeling guilty!
