9 health benefits of green tea
Green tea is a drink produced from the leaf of theCamellia sinensis, which is rich in phenolic compounds, which act as antioxidants, and nutrients that provide several health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of various diseases.
The presence of flavonoids and catechins guarantee the properties of green tea, such as antioxidant, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral effects, as well as properties that prevent cancer. This tea can be found in the form of soluble powder, capsules or tea bags, and can be purchased in supermarkets, online stores or natural products.
Health benefits
The main benefits of green tea for the body are:
- Prevent various types of cancer, mainly prostate, gastrointestinal, breast, lung, ovarian and bladder, since it is rich in antioxidants that prevent cell damage produced by free radicals, preventing the growth of cancer cells.
- It favors weight loss and waist circumference because it contains caffeine, catechins and polyphenols that help speed up metabolism, making the body spend more energy, facilitate digestion, regulate the intestine and fight fluid retention, however scientific studies are not conclusive regarding this benefit.
- Delay in cell aging due to the large amount of antioxidants, which are responsible for fighting free radicals, which are responsible for the aging of cells. In addition, it helps to keep the skin hydrated and give it a brighter and healthier appearance.
- Helps regulate cholesterol levels, especially bad cholesterol, LDL.
- It prevents heart disease by inhibiting the formation of blood clots and decreasing the risk of thrombosis and, in turn, that of heart attack and stroke.
- Prevents infections as it has antimicrobial properties that help prevent diseases such as colds and flu caused by the Influenza A and B viruses.
- It improves the health of the mouth because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent the formation of cavities and periodontitis, also helping to combat bad breath.
- It helps to regulate sugar levels due to the antioxidant action of catechins, helping to reduce oxidative stress and improve insulin resistance, being a good option to prevent and help in the treatment of diabetes.
- It helps in the control of blood pressure, as catechins can help relax blood vessels, improving pressure.
The benefits of green tea are still being studied, although it has already been associated with preventive and therapeutic effects, this because there are still doubts about it, mainly related to the amount that should be consumed, being important in this case to eat with caution and under the recommendation and a health professional.
Another good option to replace this drink is white tea, as it contains less caffeine and stimulates fat burning. See more about white tea.
How to prepare green tea
Green tea can be prepared on its own or combined with lemon and mint leaves, for example, and this helps to disguise the bitter taste characteristic of green tea, making it easier to drink throughout the day.
Green tea with lemon help to lose weight because combining green tea with lemon increases the detoxifying power of the body facilitating weight loss and strengthening the immune system. To make green tea with lemon is very simple:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of green tea
- Juice of half a lemon
Preparation mode
Add the green tea leaves to the boiled water and let stand for 10 minutes. Strain, add lemon juice and drink.
How to take
To have all the benefits of green tea, 3 to 4 cups a day should be taken. In the case of capsules, it is recommended to take 1 capsule of green tea 30 minutes after meals 2 to 3 times a day according to the advice of the doctor or nutritionist. Green tea should be consumed between meals, as it reduces the absorption of minerals such as iron and calcium.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, daily intake should not exceed 1 to 2 cups a day, as it can increase your heart rate.
Possible side effects
It is important not to consume more than the recommended amount per day because it can cause insomnia, irritability, nausea, acidity, vomiting, tachycardia and increased heart rate, for example. In addition, it can interfere with iron absorption.
Contraindications
Green tea should be taken with caution by people who have thyroid problems, as some studies indicate that green tea could alter its functioning. It should also be avoided by people with kidney failure, anemia, gastric ulcers and gastritis, as well as by people who use anticoagulant drugs.
