5 Tea-rrific benefits of Green Tea plus 5 recipes!

So you drink coffee every morning for that ‘perk-me-up’ hoping to stay alert while trying to juggle all the demands of work, family and chores. Or perhaps reach out for that Teh-O (Black Tea) because you’re more of the tea person and of course you know that tea makes you more relaxed.

So maybe the only time you ever drink Green Tea is when you’re served one in a Japanese Restaurant. But wait, did you know that there’s been countless of studies that have proven the numerous benefits of Green Tea and why you should make it part of your everyday routine?

There’re so many benefits to this superfood (or in this case a superdrink), but we will just highlight 5 essential ones in this gallery. Click for the next slide.

1. Boost Immune System

Due to its minimal processing, green tea is high in antioxidants; hence the name ‘green’ as compared to ‘black’ in black tea in which black tea undergoes more processing. The antioxidants in green tea include the various forms such as polyphenols, catechins and flavonoids.

Studies have shown that a powerful catechin known as Epigallocatechin Gallate, or EGCG for short, found abundantly in green tea, was said to be responsible for boosting the immune system. In one study, EGCG was shown to significantly increase the number and frequency of regulatory T cells or "soldier cells" that attack invading bacteria and viruses.

Now wouldn’t it be great to drink something so natural and easily available to enhance your immune system?

2. Protects against Cardiovascular disease and cancer

Recent research on EGCG suggests that this amazing catechin prevents cholesterol build-up in arteries and helps to prevent cardiovascular disease. (Journal of Biological Chemistry).

While there have been several studies showing that green tea extracts have had some positive effects against cancer cells in the lab, a study in 2012 by the University of Strathclyde found that EGCG was effective at shrinking tumours.

In another study done in the same year, investigators surveyed women enrolled in the Shanghai Women’s Health Study, a population-based study of approximately 75,000 middle-aged and older Chinese women. Researchers found that regular tea consumption was linked with a reduced risk of digestive cancers such as stomach and colorectal cancers. Most of the women reported drinking primarily green tea.

These are just a few of many studies pointing to the possibility that green tea consumption leads to a lower risk of cancer.

3. Meet the Fat Fighter

Believe it or not, Green Tea is an excellent fat fighter. The active ingredient in green tea EGCG increases the fat burning rate within the body, and in a study done by Tufts University, it was found that EGCG, like other catechins, speed up weight loss by 77% by activating fat-burning genes in the abdomen.

4. Anti-ageing

Most health experts would agree that free radicals are the root cause of ageing as free radicals damage skin cells and cause the skin to wrinkle and lose its elasticity. Antioxidants which are found abundantly in green tea, can help to fight free radicals and keep our cells healthy.

According to a study published in 2010, anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory effects of green tea may delay signs of skin ageing, such as sun damage, expression lines and wrinkles.

5. Helps you relax!

Have you ever felt calmer after drinking tea? Well the key ingredient that leads to that state of relaxation is an amino acid known as L-theanine, which stimulates the brain’s alpha waves, promoting a state of relaxed concentration. Coupled with the modest amount of caffeine in tea, this explains why drinking tea helps you maintain calmness and a clear mental alertness for an extended time, without the jittery caffeine crashes that usually occur when drinking coffee. This powerful amino acid can be found in higher concentrations especially in shaded green teas, such as Matcha or Kabusecha.

Oh and did we mention, when it comes to green tea, opt for Organic, that way you can rest assure that you will only be getting high quality, great tasting teas without losing any antioxidants and cell repairing properties of green tea to toxic pesticides. Although less commonly found in Singapore, try the Tenbu Fuka or Soshun for some natural sweet aromas or Kukicha for that warm, toasted fragrance.

nisa

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