America is a land of coffee drinkers. In fact, Americans have consistently consumed more coffee than tea since we were just 13 colonies. While it’s true coffee has a more robust flavor and caffeine than tea, adding a cup of green tea to your morning routine can pay off in many ways. Green tea contains antioxidants and plant compounds known to boost health and wellness. Studies suggest green tea helps with weight loss, can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, and may even help prevent cancer. Keep reading and discover four reasons to drink green tea, plus the way to create the perfect cup.
1. Help Prevent Some Forms of Cancer
Research has shown that oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation, resulting in chronic diseases, including cancers. Antioxidants found in green tea can help protect against oxidative damage. Furthermore, Medical News Today published an article showing research has linked green tea compounds with a reduced risk of several types of cancer, including prostate and colorectal cancer.
2. Drink Green Tea to Help with Weight Loss
According to Healthline, green tea contains an antioxidant known to raise metabolic rates in humans. When your metabolism accelerates, you burn more calories. And the more calories you burn, the easier it is to lose weight. The results of a 12-week controlled study involving 240 people with obesity showed those in the green tea group had significant decreases in body fat percentage, body weight, waist circumference, and belly fat compared with those in the control group.
3. Protects Neurons to Keep Dementia at Bay
Green tea not only improves brain function in the short term, but it may also protect your brain as you age. Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease are two common neurodegenerative diseases that affect the quality of life in senior citizens. Several studies show antioxidant compounds in green tea can have protective effects on neurons.
4. Green Tea May Help You Live Longer
While longevity studies don’t link green tea consumption to longer life spans, compounds found in green tea reduce the risk for several life-threatening conditions. In a recent study, researchers studied 40,530 Japanese adults over 11 years. Those who drank 5 or more cups per day were significantly less likely to die during the study period :
| Cause of Death | Women | Men |
| All Causes | 23% Lower | 12% Lower |
| Heart Disease | 31% Lower | 22% Lower |
| Stroke | 42% Lower | 35% Lower |
Green Tea Extract Gives Concentrated Benefits
Some people dislike the sometimes bitter taste of green tea, but they still want the benefits that come from it. Green tea extract can be an effective alternative. Green tea extract is a supplement derived from the green tea plant. It contains concentrated compounds of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and flavonoids of green tea. It’s available in capsules, liquid, or powder and a recommended dose is 250 to 500mg per day. Taking the extract supplement with food is also recommended. Green tea extract has all the benefits of green tea discussed above, plus benefits like:
Green Tea extract is easy to add to your diet but keep in mind that, like any supplement, the extract is not the purest form of the product. There is a risk of adulteration in the manufacturing process. There are no uniform standards for supplement labeling so consumers can never be sure if they getting green tea extract in its purest form. For more on supplements and FDA oversight, read our recent blog How to Determine if a Supplement is Right for You.
How to Brew the Perfect Cup
The act of brewing the perfect cup of green tea can help reduce stress. We recommend making a ritual out of it. Over time, you will find the ritual has a calming effect that will have health benefits of its own. The ideal water temperature is 160-170 degrees. Boiling water can dissolve tannins and destroy the compounds that contribute to overall good health. Additionally, boiling water can burn tea leaves resulting in a bitter taste.
According to researchers at Purdue University, drinking green tea with lemon improves the health benefits of the tea. Citrus juice brings out green tea’s natural antioxidants, making them more available for your body to absorb. Steep time is 2-3 minutes, no more. Longer steeping will result in a bitter taste and a tea that leaves more stains on your cups and teeth.
Naturally. . .You and Green Tea
Drinking green tea certainly has its benefits, from the relaxing ritual of brewing the perfect cup to helping the prevention of serious health issues. Here we presented 4 good reasons to drink green tea and the team at Naturally. . .You hope you find ways to incorporating green tea into your diet and supplement regimen. You can start looking younger now by using the Green Tea Herbal Cleanser from M’Lis. It is a safe and effective face wash and packed with antioxidants that tighten and leave your skin glowing. If you are interested in trying it, give us a call. We are happy to discuss your skincare needs, as well as anything you need to live your life in health and abundance, naturally.