KEY POINTS
- Green tea enhances cognitive function by combining caffeine and L-theanine, improving alertness and memory.
- It supports cancer prevention by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting cancer cell growth.
- Regular consumption helps manage diabetes, supports weight loss, and protects heart health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood circulation.
For centuries, people have savored green tea for its many health advantages as well as its refreshing flavor. Here’s a detailed look at five unexpected ways that green tea, supported by science, might enhance your wellbeing.
Improves brain function
Green tea’s special blend of caffeine and L-theanine improves cognitive function. Despite having a moderate amount of caffeine in comparison to coffee, it improves memory and alertness without making you jittery.
L-theanine promotes a peaceful, focused state by raising dopamine levels and lowering anxiety. According to research, green tea is especially good at improving working memory and lowering cognitive tiredness because of the synergy between caffeine and L-theanine.
Frequent ingestion has been linked to improved long-term brain health, which may reduce the risk of neurological conditions including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Lowers risk of certain cancers
Green tea includes polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants that lower inflammation and oxidative stress, two major factors in the development of cancer.
According to studies, green tea’s catechins may help stop the spread of cancer by preventing the formation of cancer cells. Regular drinking of green tea has been associated in studies with a decreased risk of colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers.
Based on reviews, people who regularly drank green tea had a 20–30 percent lower risk of getting certain diseases, suggesting that it may be used as a preventative health measure.
Helps manage diabetes
Green tea is useful for managing type 2 diabetes since it has been demonstrated to lower blood sugar levels. It also increases insulin sensitivity.
According to a meta-analysis in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, those who consume green tea are less likely to get diabetes.
Green tea’s antioxidants also aid in controlling blood sugar levels and averting diabetes-related problems including heart disease. Consuming three to four cups of green tea daily has been associated with better blood pressure and weight control, which supports attempts to prevent diabetes.
Supports weight loss
Green tea’s caffeine and catechins combine to increase fat oxidation and metabolism. Green tea has been shown in studies to promote fat burning during exercise by 10–17 percent and boost calorie burning by up to 4 percent.
Frequent consumption has also been associated with decreases in waist circumference and body mass index (BMI). Green tea also aids in appetite suppression, which facilitates the maintenance of a nutritious diet.
Protects heart health
Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances included in green tea lower cholesterol and enhance blood vessel function, supporting cardiovascular health. In addition, regular use of green tea may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by 20–30 percent, according to research.
Additionally, it prevents hypertension by assisting in blood pressure regulation. Moreover, Green tea’s catechins improve blood circulation and lower the risk of heart attacks. This is done by reducing the accumulation of plaque in arteries.
Including green tea in your daily routine is an easy yet powerful method to improve your mental and physical health.