What you drink is just as important as what you eat when it comes to health benefits. If you drink soft drinks regularly, consider switching to green tea. Don’t add sugar or cream to keep it healthier. If you need a bit of sweetener, add a drop or two of honey. Green tea aids in weight loss and shedding visceral fat—also known as belly fat. Both diet and regular soft drinks increase belly fat. Green tea contains nutrients that can keep you healthier and extend your life.
The antioxidants in green tea provide some of the health benefits.
Green tea contains polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that reduce inflammation. That can help prevent cancer and heart disease. Green tea also contains catechins. EGCG—epigallocatechin-3-gallate—is a catechin that is also a powerful antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Cell damage leads to serious conditions. It’s also the cause of aging. Studies show that drinking more green tea daily helps you live longer and healthier.
Green tea may boost your metabolism.
You’ll get cell protection from EGCG and a boost in your metabolism. It works with the caffeine found in green tea. Some long-term studies show that people who drank two cups of green tea daily had lower body fat. Other studies show that people taking caffeine and EGCG for 12 weeks had significant weight and fat loss. The EGCG also helped prevent brain damage from diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia. The EGCG can also help reverse damage. Studies show that people who drank three cups a day for years had less cognitive impairment. It also reduced the potential for Parkinson’s by 30 to 40 percent.
You’ll have healthier teeth and gums when you drink green tea.
Green tea helps fight gingivitis, kills germs, and fights tooth decay when you drink it daily. It has antifungal and antibiotic benefits for your mouth and can improve oral health. It’s a good option for improving your breath because of its antibacterial effect. Have a cup after a meal or midday as an oral refresher. Green tea can also help keep bones stronger, especially during perimenopause. For bone strength, use matcha, a type of green tea.
- Green tea has caffeine that boosts energy and concentration without causing the shakes. It increases the production of dopamine and contains L-theanine, increasing an anti-anxiety effect.
- Green tea boosts antioxidants that help stop LDL cholesterol oxidation in the blood. That can cause arterial disease. Studies show drinking it lowers the risk of heart disease by as much as 31%.
- Green tea can help maintain stable blood sugar levels. That can help prevent insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a precursor of type 2 diabetes. It also causes sugar cravings and increases belly fat.
- Green tea can fight signs of aging. It also reduces the effects of photoaging. It contains vitamin C, with matcha tea having the most significant amount. Vitamin C can boost your immune system.
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