Sencha Tea Benefits

Sencha tea is a Japanese green tea with all the health benefits found in green teas, including high levels of powerful antioxidants and polyphenols. The flavors of Sencha tea make it preferable to Chinese green teas for those who prefer a more robust and grassy flavor. Sencha tea is a good quality, whole leaf green tea.

What Is Sencha Tea?

Sencha tea is a popular green tea from Japan made from the top parts of the tea leaf and tea buds. The tea leaves and buds are processed whole. The leaves are steamed for less than a minute to stop oxidation. The whole leaves are then rolled into long cylinders and dried. The last step is to fire the leaves to preserve them and ensure flavor.

Sencha tea has a mildly sweet, astringent flavor with more herbal flavors. Japanese green teas like Sencha are greener in color than Chinese green teas and have a more bitter flavor. Sencha accounts for about 80 percent of the tea consumed in Japan. It is usually served hot in the winter and chilled in warmer weather.

Health Benefits of Sencha Tea

The health benefits of Sencha and other green teas are derived from their high concentrations of antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols. Antioxidants and polyphenols help neutralize harmful free radicals thought to contribute to the development of cancer, heart disease and the aging process.

Heart Benefits

The antioxidants in green teas such as Sencha have been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Additionally, green tea has been shown to lower total cholesterol and raise the good HDL. It is believed that the polyphenols found in Sencha and other green teas can block the absorption of cholesterol and help the body to rid itself of excess cholesterol.

Cancer Prevention

Studies on the effects of Sencha tea and other green teas are still ongoing and sometimes have conflicting results. There is evidence that green teas are effective in cancer prevention, reducing tumors and increasing the survival rates of cancer patients.

Studies with green tea and black tea extracts have shown that cells might be less sensitive to chemotherapy drugs when extracts are taken. Until further studies are completed, patients should avoid green and black tea while undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Weight Loss and Diabetes

Green tea, including Sencha tea, has been shown to help in blood sugar control and may help prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Polyphenols in Sencha tea are believed to increase the metabolism and help the body burn fat. Green tea extracts have become popular in weight loss programs, but drinking just three cups of green tea daily will aid in weight control.

Skin Care and Anti-Aging

Antioxidants in Sencha reduce the amount of free radicals in the body that contribute to the aging process. Drinking Sencha tea helps to hydrate the skin, naturally reducing those fine lines and wrinkles that make skin appear older. Antioxidants in tea have been shown to help repair damaged and inflamed skin.