Green tea is a healthy, refreshing and hydrating drink that you can enjoy hot or cold. Green tea contains antioxidants that help to improve brain health, prevent chronic disease, and boost your cardiovascular health. You can also use green tea to help lose weight and improve your health at the same time.<\/p>\n
The health benefits of green tea also include using it to improve your skin tone. Green tea contains compounds that are great for keeping your skin healthy and looking fresh. You can also use green tea to help treat acne prone skin and assist in reducing the appearance of pimples.<\/p>\n
In this article, I will examine what scientific research has revealed as to the true health benefits of green tea. You will also find out if science backs up claims on using green tea to lose weight. You will also learn how to use green tea as a cleansing toner for your skin.<\/p>\n
What is Green Tea?
\nGreen tea comes from the tea plant Camellia sinensis. Native to East, South and Southeast Asia, but these days cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions for its many wonderful properties. Tea leaves from Camellia sinensis are used to make green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea.<\/p>\n
Green tea is made by drying tea leaves; however, they are not fermented as is the case with black tea or oolong tea. This minimal processing of green tea helps to keep its beneficial polyphenolic compounds \u2013 these natural antioxidants necessary for good health. (1)<\/p>\n
Green Tea vs. Coffee
\nGreen tea (like coffee) also contains caffeine. Green tea contains about 11-20 mg\/g of caffeine which is about half the amount of caffeine in black tea (22-28 mg\/g). Green tea also contains more catechins (natural antioxidants) than black tea and also high levels of phenolic compounds. (2)<\/p>\n
Interestingly, gram for gram, tea contains about the same amount of caffeine as coffee. However, a study found that a cup of tea contains much less caffeine than a cup coffee. A cup of tea has a caffeine content of 28-46 mg whereas a cup of coffee has 107-151 mg caffeine. This is probably because less green tea leaves are used to make a cup of green tea. (3)<\/p>\n
It is difficult to say if green tea is better for you than coffee. Dr. Brunilda Nazario on WebMD says that coffee also has health benefits when consumed in moderation. Both green tea and coffee contain caffeine, antioxidants, and polyphenols. These combined compounds have many health benefits. (4)<\/p>\n
Because green tea is not an herbal tea and it contains caffeine, many people avoid drinking green tea before going to bed. However, some studies point to the fact that low-caffeine green tea can improve the quality of sleep and have a calming effect on the mind. (5)<\/p>\n
Starting your day with a freshly brewed cup of green tea is a great way to start the day as it can boost your metabolism and give you more energy.<\/p>\n
Green Tea Nutrition
\nMost of the health benefits of drinking green tea come from its high levels of antioxidants.<\/p>\n
Green tea contains antioxidant compounds called polyphenols and catechins. For example, flavanols (a type of polyphenol) make up about 30% of the weight of dried green tea leaves. Also, green tea contains a powerful catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG for short. (1)<\/p>\n
Researchers have noted that it is not just one antioxidant in green tea that is beneficial. The health-promoting effects of green tea are due to a \u201csynergistic\u201d effect that is the combination of many antioxidant compounds.<\/p>\n
Green tea also contains L-theanine, an important amino acid which has a stimulating effect on the brain and can improve cognitive health. Scientists have discovered that L-theanine from tea is unique in that it helps to relax the mind without drowsiness. (6)<\/p>\n
Also, the benefits of EGCG in green tea have been linked to improved cardiovascular health. (7)<\/p>\n
Green tea also contains trace amounts of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B, C, and E. (8)<\/p>\n
Health Benefits of Green Tea
\nLet\u2019s look in more detail at the many ways you can use green tea to boost your health and make your skin look better.<\/p>\n
Green Tea for Weight Loss
\nGreen tea extracts and natural green tea have the potential to help you lose weight quicker and boost your metabolism. There are 0 calories in a cup of green tea without any additive (such as milk or sugar) so it\u2019s a great hydrating drink.<\/p>\n
Much research has been done on the fat-burning potential of green tea extracts. Many people buy green tea supplements for weight loss or increase their daily intake of hot green tea.<\/p>\n
What does scientific research say about the effects of green tea on losing weight?<\/p>\n
Green tea catechins together with caffeine can boost your metabolism (green tea has thermogenic properties). For example, one small study showed that green tea significantly boosted energy expenditure in men. The researchers concluded that \u201cgreen tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond what explained by its caffeine content per se.\u201d (25)<\/p>\n
The book Antioxidants in Sport Nutrition reported that one cup of green tea contains about 40 mg of caffeine and up to 100 mg of catechins. A review of many clinical trials revealed that green tea catechins together with caffeine can make you slimmer because they increase energy expenditure and fat metabolism. This effect of green tea can benefit both active individuals and sedentary ones. (26)<\/p>\n
Some studies show that green tea extracts can help to boost your efforts in losing weight. For example, green tea supplementation can help to burn more fat (increase fat oxidation) during exercising. Green tea also improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. (39)<\/p>\n
Other research has found that green tea extract containing 583 mg of catechins helped to burn fat and can help fight against obesity. For example, a trial involving men and women found that green tea extract with high catechin content helped lower body weight and reduce body fat in a 12-week period. (40)<\/p>\n
The study found that green tea extract has the added advantage in helping to improve your cardiovascular health while losing weight. Researchers concluded that long-term consumption of catechins from green tea can help lower blood pressure and reduce body fat in men and women. (40)<\/p>\n
Another study looked at the anti-obesity effects of three major components of green tea: catechins, caffeine and L-theanine. It concluded that caffeine and L-theanine in green tea can help prevent weight gain and fat accumulation. (46)<\/p>\n
However, other studies have proved inconclusive and say that green tea is only beneficial for short-term weight loss. (45)<\/p>\n
You can boost the weight loss properties of green tea by adding some lemon juice to your tea. There are some scientific studies about using lemon juice for weight loss.<\/p>\n
Green Tea Benefits for Your Skin
\nThe antioxidants in green tea benefit your skin, help prevent the appearance of fine lines and have anti aging effect.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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