Matcha, Sencha or Green Tea - no matter what name you decide to call it, green tea has long been lauded for its undeniable benefits.
Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks you can consume and is loaded with beneficial compounds like antioxidants and amino acids. In fact, in the ancient Chinese “Book of Tea”, by a Zen priest, green tea is noted for its benefits to the brain, heart, kidney, liver and lungs.
If you’re on the fence about adding this yummy yet healthy tea to your pantry, take a closer look as these are the health benefits that you can get from drinking green tea.
Green tea contains caffeine which stimulates and improves various areas of brain function like mood, memory and reaction time.
Yes, it's true! Consumption of green tea has been linked to significantly reducing the risk of cancers such as lung, colorectum, liver and stomach cancers. Though green tea does not cure cancer, long-term consumption of the powerful antioxidants from green tea protects against cell damage while strengthening the immune system.
The most abundant amino acid in green tea is theanine, which also gives green tea its unique taste. Theanine helps to increase alpha brain waves which is associated with a relaxed mental state found after doing meditation or getting a deep rest.
Green tea is filled with beneficial antioxidants and phytonutrients. The most important of these is Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol with anti-obesity effects which can help you to lose weight by boosting your metabolism.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult for the body to absorb a polyphenol like EGCG. So, most of the time, this polyphenol is simply eliminated from the body, thereby reducing the benefits experienced.
To ensure that you get the full benefits of EGCG, it is important to find a source which uses a technology called Green Select® Phytosome®. Green Select® Phytosome® may help your body absorb ECG more easily. This technology uses a small, natural complex to bind the EGCG together so that it is more bio-available (easily available) and allows your body to absorb it optimally*.
*A single clinical study involving 12 male subjects showed increased serum levels of EGCG after administering 400 mg EGCG in a Phytosome preparation compared to non-Phytosome preparation. Other clinical studies involving different botanical extracts in phospholipid preparations have shown similar results.
Furthermore, EGCG also increases the rate at which you burn fat by boosting the effects of fat burning hormones. Norepinephrine, a fat-burning hormone, helps break down the fat in our bodies and releases the energy from the fat into our bloodstream. The antioxidants in green tea make the norepinephrine more effective, thus making it the perfect fat burning food (or rather drink) for a slimmer you!
Health advisory: It is recommended to check with your physician on what is the appropriate EGCG dosage you should consume in a day. Adverse effects may occur if an inappropriate amount of EGCG is consumed.
Now you might be wondering, what does my blood sugar have to do with weight loss?
An increase in blood sugar can lead to weight gain and a craving for unhealthy snacks. The antioxidants in green tea limit the carbohydrate absorption after a meal, thus improving your metabolism and giving you more control to say “No!” to sugar cravings.
While belly fat is the most stubborn of fats to lose, it is also the most dangerous. High amounts of belly fat or visceral fat can lead to increased risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Studies have shown that the EGCG phytonutrient may help target and break down visceral fats that lie deep within our bodies, thus ensuring that we not only look slimmer on the outside but are also healthier on the inside.
Health advisory: This dietary supplement can be a valuable addition to an exercise programme and healthy diet to attain a healthy and sustainable weight loss and/or to achieve optimal health. Results may vary individually depending on lifestyle and health conditions.
References
