Green tea originated in China and has been a staple sip there for centuries. Made from Camellia sinensis leaves and buds, these days it’s in everything: from lattes to noodles, ice cream and cocktails. So is green tea really healthy?
Yup, it really is. First up: healthy green tea is loaded with antioxidants. Particularly catechins, which help protect the body against free radical damage (if you didn’t know, free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, leading to chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease).
Green tea boosts brain function: it contains caffeine, the well-known stimulant. But it also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which has been shown to promote relaxation and improve cognitive function. This unique combination of caffeine and L-theanine provides a balanced and sustained energy boost without the jitters associated with coffee.
It lowers the risk of heart disease: green tea has been found to reduce several risk factors related to heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and inflammation.
It aids weight loss, which might sound crazy, but back to those catechins. As well as free radical-fighting, these beauties have been shown to increase metabolism and promote fat burning.
Lastly, green tea may reduce the risk of certain cancers, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
However, if that sounds too good to be true, it is. Drinking green tea isn’t like waving a magic wand over mind, body and spirit; any health benefits need to be viewed as one part of a holistic approach to health and wellness.
