Health Benefits of Green Tea

The tea is an aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the Camellia sinensis plant in combination with hot or boiling water. Tea has been used as a refreshing and stimulating drink from time immemorial. It has a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavor to it. The aroma and flavor of a hot cup of tea is very refreshing and relaxing. It helps to retain the freshness when you gets up in the morning and also helps regain the strength and vigor after a strenuous job. Tea is served in various social occasions and events, while serving tea is a tradition in many societies across Asia and Africa. It is mainly grown in the tropical and subtropical zones especially in the hill slopes and along the sides of mountains ranges, which is suitable for its growth. Some varieties also tolerate more milder climates.

Types of Tea

Tea is traditionally classified based on the techniques with which it is produced and processed. In the production of black teas, the halting of oxidization by heating is carried out simultaneously with drying.

1. White tea: Wilted and unoxidized

2. Yellow tea: Unwilted and unoxidized, but allowed to yellow

3. Green tea: Unwilted and unoxidized

4. Oolong: Wilted, bruised, and partially oxidized

5. Black tea: Wilted, sometimes crushed, and fully oxidized

6. Post-fermented tea: Green tea that has been allowed to ferment/compost

Making Tea

Tea is made either by putting tea leaves or tea dust in boiling water or pouring boiling water over tea leaves in a container. The amount of tea used for the preparation varies and about a teaspoon heap of tea is used for a cup of water (200 ml). Nowadays teabags are used instead of tea leaves or dust for convenience. It is usually mixed with adequate amount of milk, sugar, and spices to get a better flavor.  The tea is allowed to be steeped for about 5 to 10 minutes at 100 degree centigrade for 2 to 3 minutes. The strength of the tea should be varied by changing the amount of tea leaves used. Then it is strained by using a strainer or by removing the tea leaves that were used. Tea is served as hot in a cup or a suitable vessel, which varies from place to place.

Tea contains catechins epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant which comprises up to 30% of the dry weight. Catechins are highest in concentration in white and green teas, while black tea has substantially fewer due to its oxidative preparation. Tea also contains theanine and the stimulant caffeine at about 3% of its dry weight. Tea also contains small amounts of theobromine and theophylline.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

1. Contains antioxidants: The antioxidants especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in tea protects the body from the aging process, diseases, and effects of pollution.

2.  Protects against cancer: Polyphenols, the antioxidants found in tea fights off cancer. The most abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is thought to play a pivotal role in the green tea's anticancer and antioxidant effects.

3. Reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke: EGCG also lowers the bad cholesterol levels thus reducing the risk of blocking the blood vessels. This tannic acid in tea prohibits abnormal clotting of blood in the blood vessels. Blood clots formed in the arteries from cholesterol and blood platelets causes heart attack and stroke. Drinking tea may help keep the arteries smooth and clog-free. Research proved that drinking three cups of green or black tea per day could reduce the risk of ischemic stroke by about 20 percent.

4. Stimulates the nervous system: It stimulates nervous system and provides energy and vigor. It gives more endurance to workout longer.

5. Improves the immune defenses: Drinking tea may help your body's immune system to fight off infection.

6. Reduce the body weight: Green tea facilitates the weight loss process, as it enhances the fat oxidation and increases the body’s metabolic rate. Green tea provides energy to the body and speeds up the metabolic rate of the body.

7. Source of vitamins: Green tea is a rich source of various vitamins like A, D, E, C, B, B5, H and K. Green tea also contains good amount of amino acids, protein, caffeine, folic acid, and minerals such as fluoride.

8. Protects the bones: More than just the milk added to tea that builds strong bones, a study that compared tea drinkers with non-drinkers, found that people who drank tea for 10 or more years had the strongest bones, even after adjusting for age, body weight, exercise, smoking and other risk factors.

9. A decrease in the inflammation across blood vessel walls is observed in a person who drinks green tea regularly because of its antioxidant properties, which helps prevent arthritis.

10. Gives a sweet smile: Tea actually contains fluoride and tannins that helps to prevent deposition of plaque and calculus.

11. Prevent dental caries: Fluorides in the tea prevent dental caries by eradicating bacteria like Streptococcus mutans etc even after consuming small quantities.

12. Increases metabolism: Green tea has been shown to actually increase metabolic rate. speeds up fat oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. In addition to caffeine, green tea contains catechin phenolics that raise the production of heat by the body and hence increases energy expenditure.

13. Fat free drink: Green tea is completely fat free. It is free from any saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated or trans fat.

14. Helps to keep hydrated: Tea and other caffeinated beverages definitely contribute to our fluid needs.

15. Diuretic: It also acts as a diuretic which eliminates excess fluid from the body.

16. Calorie-free: Tea does not have any calories, unless you add sweetener or milk. So it helps in weight reduction using as a calorie free beverage.

17. Laxative: It also has a laxative effect which helps to move bowels.