Six Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Green tea is a health-enhancing beverage with many benefits.

Green tea originated in China and is made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. Catechins, which are potent antioxidants contained in the leaves of the plant, are considered to be health-enhancing and are the main reason to consume green tea. Catechins begin to change as soon as the leaf is plucked from the plant, making it important for the leaf to be steamed as soon as possible during the manufacturing process. Over the past several years, there have been numerous studies done to identify the benefits of green tea consumption. Does this Spark an idea?

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Cholesterol
- By increasing its excretion and lowering its absorption in the digestive track, green tea may help to reduce LDL cholesterol. Also, studies in both animals and humans show that consuming green tea regularly not only reduces LDL cholesterol but raises HDL cholesterol, which is considered good cholesterol.
Heart Disease
- The antioxidant properties of green tea may help to reduce coronary artery disease by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition to improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels, green tea may also help to reduce blood pressure and prevent LDL oxidation, preventing atherosclerosis, which is a medical condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries.
Cancer
- Green tea may help protect against cancer by preventing the growth of tumors in the skin, breast, lungs and prostate. Although it is not yet proven, EGCg, one of green tea's catechins, is believed to stop the progression of cancerous cells and may even help to eliminate them.
Diabetes
- Green tea has been used to control blood sugar levels. Studies by the Department of Dietetics at Harokopio University in Athens, Greece, suggest that green tea helps to regulate glucose in individuals with bodies that are unable to produce insulin among non-obese elderly people.
Obesity
- Green tea may be a natural metabolism booster that, in turn, helps to burn fat. Researchers believe that green tea's catechins help increase the rate at which the body burns fat and may also help to prevent excessive weight gain. Green tea, especially when combined with caffeine, may improve weight loss and help to maintain a healthy weight.
Liver Disease
- Findings from researchers from the University of Connecticut found that green tea blocks the amount of fat stored in the liver and improves liver function. These researchers believe that green tea helps protect the liver from damaging substances such as alcohol, and those who consume green tea regularly are less likely to develop liver disorders.