Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in India, and different types of people prefer to drink different types of tea. However, of these variations, about 78% of black tea is consumed, and only 20% is consumed with green tea. Apart from these, there are many other types of tea, which we will also tell briefly in this article below. Green tea is considered to be the healthiest tea among all these teas, as it is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that have a very powerful effect on the body, due to which it has many health benefits.
What is Green Tea?
Green tea was first used by the people of India and China because of its health benefits. Later gradually it became popular in the United States and other countries also due to its health benefits. Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves, which undergo a process of decomposition and oxidation. There are many types of green tea depending on their yield, growing conditions, production process and time of harvest. Green tea contains bio active compounds that improve many aspects of our health.
Green tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of a plant called Camellia sinensis. Oxidation is minimal in the process of its formation. It originated in China and was later related to many Middle Eastern cultures from Japan to Asia. There are many benefits of consuming it. At least eight cups of green tea per day is helpful in reducing the chances of getting heart disease and reducing cholesterol as well as controlling body weight.
EGCG is one of the most powerful compounds present in green tea – which treats many diseases and prevents many from occurring. Although there are some disadvantages of drinking green tea, but its benefits are so many that its disadvantages are nothing in front of it, which is why many doctors also recommend drinking green tea. Before knowing its benefits, let us know what are the nutrients in it-
Nutrients present in green tea
If you talk about calories, then green tea has zero calories, if you are conscious about calories in your diet, then it can prove to be a very healthy drink for you. Green tea contains flavonols and catechins (a type of polyphenol) that provide many benefits.
Its regular consumption by an adult person not only gets rid of many diseases but also increases the body’s immunity against many diseases. Green tea acts as anti-aging as well as anti-oxidant. Regular consumption of green tea proves to be very beneficial for people who are not able to exercise regularly due to busyness. Milk should not be added to it as it eliminates its anti-oxidant element. This tea is also helpful in controlling cholesterol. Its use also increases the metabolic rate or fat oxidation in the body. By consuming it, brain tissue can be prevented from dying. Green tea should be made on steam.
Regular consumption of green tea not only controls weight, but also reduces the chances of getting many diseases in them. Its consumption can also prevent deadly diseases like cancer. In Japan, people usually consume green tea while eating, which not only helps in digestion and is also helpful in heart disease.
Benefits of Green Tea, Through this article, we are going to tell you the benefits of Green Tea, which are as follows:
Green tea has become very useful for our health today. It provides various benefits, some of which are very important, such as maintains heart health, helps in weight loss, and also helps in the prevention of fatal diseases like cancer and diabetes. Green tea also helps in improving the symptoms of depression. Let us know what are its benefits-
Benefits of Green Tea in Cancer Prevention
According to the National Cancer Institute, green tea contains polyphenols that help reduce tumor growth and protect against damage caused by ultraviolet UV radiation. Cancer incidence rates are lower in countries where green tea is consumed more, but it is impossible to determine whether this is due to green tea or other lifestyle factors that prevent cancer.
Some studies have also shown positive effects of green tea on the following types of cancer:
• Breast Cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Colorectal (bowel) cancer
• Esophageal (throat cancer)
• lung cancer
• prostate cancer
• Skin cancer
• colon cancer
Researchers believe that green tea contains high levels of polyphenols that help kill cancer cells and prevent them from growing.
Benefits of Green Tea for the Heart
A study published in a Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that green tea is associated with a reduced mortality rate as well as reduced cardiovascular disease and all its causes. One study reported that people who did not drink green tea (especially from cardiovascular disease) had a significantly higher risk of dying, compared to those who drank at least 5 cups of green tea per day. Green tea contains catechins, polyphenolic compounds that have been used specifically to exert several protective effects on the cardiovascular system.
Benefits of Green Tea in Lowering Cholesterol
Consuming green tea, whether in beverage form or in capsule form, is very beneficial in reducing total LDL and bad cholesterol.
Benefits of Green Tea in Strokes
Drinking green tea or coffee is associated with a reduced risk of stroke. According to a study, if you include green tea in your daily routine by making small changes in your lifestyle, it can help reduce your risk of stroke.
Benefits of Green Tea in Type 2 Diabetes
According to a study in Japan, people who drink green tea have a 42% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This disease involves high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance or the inability to produce insulin. Studies show that green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
Benefits of Green Tea in Losing Weight
Green tea may promote weight loss in overweight and obese adults. Since green tea increases metabolism and burns calories, which play an important role in weight loss.
Benefits of Green Tea for Skin Diseases
Green tea may prove to be a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff, according to several studies. Researchers studied a model for inflammatory skin diseases that involved patches of dry, red, flaky skin caused by inflammation and overproduction of skin cells. Treatment with green tea revealed a slow growth of these skin cells which controls the life cycle of the cells.
Benefits of Green Tea for Memory
Green tea can enhance the cognitive functions of our brain, especially working memory. The findings of a research suggest that green tea may benefit in the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as dementia.
Benefits of Green Tea in Alzheimer’s
Green tea may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, green tea may also be helpful in treating dental cavities, stress, chronic fatigue, skin conditions, and improving arthritis by reducing inflammation.
Benefits of Green Tea in Boosting Immunity
The catechins present in green tea play a major role in boosting our immunity. It protects against oxidants and radicals, thereby boosting immunity. The EGCG in green tea has the ability to increase the number of regulatory T cells – and these help to improve immunity and suppress autoimmune diseases.
What is the right way and right time to drink green tea?
You have already known about the benefits of green tea, but if it is not drunk at the right time and in the right way, then you may have to bear many of its disadvantages, let us know what you can do to avoid these disadvantages and At what time can you drink it-
• Green tea should be drunk 2-3 hours before meals.
• Never consume green tea after a meal.
• Do not drink green tea empty stomach.
• Do not mix milk and sugar in green tea.
• Green tea with honey benefits more, so drink them together.
Apart from all these, green tea is also used for many types of body parts like kidney, liver, acne, sore throat, etc. It is one of the hottest health drinks in the world. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory activities. Hence green tea also helps in maintaining beautiful skin and fighting problems like wrinkles and signs of aging.
Right time and way to drink green tea:
Nowadays people resort to green tea for weight loss to maintain the glow of the skin. People know about the health benefits of drinking green tea, but most people do not know the right way and time to drink it. Yes, for weight loss, some people drink green tea on an empty stomach in the morning. By doing this the body detoxifies and also helps in weight loss. But do you know that green tea is not digested by everyone in the morning on an empty stomach, doing so can also cause problems for some people. In such a situation, to take the benefits of green tea related to health, let us know what is the right way and time to drink green tea.
The right way to drink green tea
Drink green tea at least 1 hour before a meal.
Green tea contains tannins, drinking it immediately before meals can cause constipation, stomach-ache or nausea.
One should avoid drinking green tea in the morning on an empty stomach. Consume green only after eating a little bit.
Do not drink more than 3 cups of green tea in a whole day, it can cause dehydration problem.
Many times drinking green tea before sleeping does not even sleep.
Green tea should be drunk in the morning and evening. By doing this the metabolism of the body is accelerated.
Right time to drink Green Tea:
Between 10 am to 11 am
-After breakfast at 5 to 6 in the evening
Green tea should be taken 2 hours before sleeping at night.
Drink 1 hour before a meal or 1 to 2 hours after a meal
-About 30 minutes before morning exercise
How many cups of green tea should be drunk in a day-
Do not drink more than 3 cups of green tea in a day, it can lead to dehydration. Apart from this, consuming excessive amounts of caffeine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset. Not only this, by consuming more green tea, the calcium present in the body comes out through urine, if this excretion is more then there is a lack of calcium in the body.
Also know about the disadvantages of green tea:
If you drink green tea in excessive quantity then it can be harmful to your health. Although the side effects or contraindications of green tea are very few for adults, the side effects for children may be more. Some of its side effects and risks are as follows-
- Sensitivity to caffeine – People with severe sensitivity to caffeine may experience insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nausea, or stomach upset.
- Blood Thinners – People who take blood thinners (anticoagulant drugs) such as Coumadin/Warfarin should be careful while drinking green tea due to the presence of Vitamin K. Such people are advised to avoid green tea as well as aspirin, as both of these reduce the combined effectiveness of platelets.
- Other Stimulants – If taken with stimulant medications, green tea can increase blood pressure and heart rate.
- Effects on the Digestive System: Caffeine is also found in green tea, and drinking too much green tea can have a bad effect on your digestive system. Due to which the balance of digestive juices can get disturbed and our stomach can get upset. People with acidity problems should not drink green tea.
- Do not drink much green tea during pregnancy: Because green tea contains caffeine, pregnant women should not drink green tea more than 2 times a day, its excessive consumption can have a bad effect on the health of both mother and child.
- Patients with anemia and cataract should not drink green tea: People with anemia and cataract due to caffeine should not drink green tea. Due to anemia, the amount of hemoglobin and iron in our blood decreases, if there is already a lack of iron, then drinking green tea should be avoided. Consuming green tea can aggravate cataracts, so patients with cataracts should not drink green tea.
Although there are many benefits of drinking green tea, yet it can do some harm to some people. In particular, pregnant or lactating women, those with heart problems or high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, stomach ulcers, or anxiety disorders should not consume green tea.