Drinking one cup (or five) of green tea a day can bring your health to the next level. Green tea has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. It’s made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant and is prepared in a way so that it has the highest concentration of chlorophyll, polyphenols, and antioxidants among all the teas (What is Green Tea). Green tea provides countless benefits, a few of which are highlighted below:
Improved Brain Function
A cup of green tea contains about 30-50mg of caffeine, which makes it a great beverage to start your morning. Caffeine is shown to increase energy and improve mood and memory. If caffeine usually makes you jittery, green tea may be more tolerable since it also contains L-theanine, which has anti-anxiety effects. L-theanine improves cognitive health, promotes relaxation, and improves focus (L-theanine).
Fat and Weight Loss
Green tea contains EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate, renowned for its ability to boost metabolism and promote fat breakdown. Simultaneously, caffeine is a stimulant that supports the fat-burning process. Studies have shown that those who drink green tea regularly exhibit an additional 3-4% increase in daily calorie expenditure compared to those who don’t drink green tea (Caffeine and Body Weight Reduction).
Reduce Risk of Chronic Disease
Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce the risk of chronic disease. Research has shown green tea is linked to the prevention of various cancers (Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer). It also may prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes because it can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels (Effect of Green Tea on Glucose).
I like to enjoy a cup of green tea in the morning to wake me up and prepare me for the day ahead. On those really busy days when I need an extra kick of caffeine, I like to have one at lunchtime as well. Since there is only a small amount of caffeine, it keeps me alert for the rest of the afternoon without keeping me tossing and turning at night. If hot green tea isn’t your thing, you can also try a delicious matcha latte or refreshing iced tea for those warm summer months!
References:
“What Is Green Tea?” Art of Tea, www.artoftea.com/blogs/tea-101/what-is-green-tea. Accessed 1 June 2023.
Nathan, Pradeep J. “The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent.” Journal of herbal pharmacotherapy vol. 6,2 (2006): 21-30.
]M.S. Westerterp-Plantenga. “Green Tea Catechins, Caffeine and Body-Weight Regulation.” Physiology & Behavior, 13 Feb. 2010, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938410000703.
Reuter, Simone. “Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer: how are they linked?.” Free radical biology & medicine vol. 49,11 (2010): 1603-16. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2010.09.006
Kai Liu, Effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 98, Issue 2, August 2013, Pages 340–348, https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.052746