Green Tea – Magical Portion?
For centuries, green tea has been seen as a magical host of health benefits. Many studies have also suggested that consuming green tea in the right way, may positively affect skin health, help with weight loss, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.In many countries like India, tea is the second most consumed beverage, after water.
But green tea isn’t just what it is thought to be. It isn’t some magic that can transform you suddenly. There are many facts about green tea and today we pledge to unveil all those!
What is Green Tea?What makes it healthy?
Most of the tea types are brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The level of oxidation of these leaves determines the type of tea. Green tea is made from unoxidized leaves and is one of the least processed types of tea, making it rich in antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.This is why it retains green colour and also becomes the healthier option among all the kinds of tea available.
If it is healthy, what are its benefits?
Green tea was used to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion and regulate body temperature, by our traditional vaids, in the olden times.
In these present times, Green Tea has become a popular choice among people, aspiring a transformation through a weight loss program. It has been found that the catechins in green tea and caffeine may have a role in increasing energy metabolism, which may lead to weight loss.
Green Tea is thought to help in cancer prevention too. Perhaps, because in countries where green tea consumption is high, some cancer rates tend to be lower. But this needs to be understood that human studies have not shown any consistent evidence to prove that green tea consumption reduces the risk of cancer.However, the application of green tea polyphenol extracts may have a role in protecting the skin from UVB radiation but any consistent evidence is yet to be approved.
Other than these major and popular health benefits of green tea, there are some additional benefits which one might reap from the consumption of green tea. It has a positive effect on:
- liver disorders
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Inflammatory skin conditions
- Heart health
- Lower cholesterol
- Stroke risk
- Type 2 diabetes
- Memory
- Nutrition
- dental cavities
- stress
- chronic fatigue
- Arthritis
However, further human clinical trials are necessary to firm up these theories.
The various types of green tea!
Green tea is available in many types and forms. You can consume it in the way that facilitates your taste.
- bottled and sweetened (these might contain sugars our artificial sweeteners)
- single tea bags (if you are want to try a little amount for the first time)
- loose leaves (these are preferred the most)
- instant powder (these are usually used by regular consumers)
- green tea supplements, in capsule form or as liquid extracts
Various green tea products are also available for purchase on different online platforms.
Are there any side effects of consuming green tea?
There are a very few known side effects associated with green tea consumption.Even ambrosia becomes poison if taken without caution or in an excess quantity.Similarly, even green tea might cause some problems (though rarely), if one drinks too much green tea.
- Caffeine sensitivity: this further leads to insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nausea, or an upset stomach.
- Liver damage: consuming a very high concentration of green tea extract, may negatively impact liver health in rare cases.
- High blood pressure: consumption of green tea alongside stimulant drugs, can increase blood pressure and heart rate.
Which is the best and safest type of green tea to be consumed, for positive results?
There are a very few known side effects associated with green tea consumption.Even ambrosia becomes poison if taken without caution or in an excess quantity.Similarly, even green tea might cause some problems (though rarely), if one drinks too much green tea.
- Caffeine sensitivity: this further leads to insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nausea, or an upset stomach.
- Liver damage: consuming a very high concentration of green tea extract, may negatively impact liver health in rare cases.
- High blood pressure: consumption of green tea alongside stimulant drugs, can increase blood pressure and heart rate.
Which is the best and safest type of green tea to be consumed, for positive results?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate green tea supplements. Hence, these supplements may contain other substances too, that may be either unsafe for health or may have unproven health benefits.Your body isn’t a thing to experiment with and check the validity of these supplements.
Hence, it is best to have green tea, made from green tea leaves. These are always better as adulteration is minimum in these cases.
Green Tea alone cannot win the war!
Green tea may have a number of health benefits but it alone isn’t enough to give you the best results that you had thought of, while starting to consume it.
Green tea has one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants than any tea. But, for satisfactory results, they should be accompanied with a good daily routine including morning exercise.
This increases your metabolism and gives you the healthier version of your body, in a comparatively lesser time. So have green tea, in the correct mannar, along with performing regular exercises and you will definitely be happy with what you see in the mirror after a few months.
