Health Benefits of Green Tea
It is surprising to know that the world is just awakening to realize the many health benefits of green tea. Although most of us may have had the opportunity to sip on the beverage in a Chinese restaurant or at a Japanese neighbors house not many of us outside the orient knew anything about the various health benefits of green tea up until recently…
This unique drink is a true gift found in nature. It is made from the leaves of a plant called Camellia sinesis. It is a native shrub of Asia and the tea is prepared by drying the leaves of this shrub. The use of the drink for medicinal purposes and general health benefits has been common in many Asian cultures for centuries. China alone has a history of over four thousand years with the use of green tea.
Today however we have modern scientific methods of determining the true value of this unique drink. Not surprisingly science admits that the Chinese have been wise in making use of this drink even without having any empirical scientific evidence.
The shrub is endowed with some very beneficial substances that give it the medicinal properties to help the body in various ways. The plant is potent with powerful antioxidants which is the key to green tea’s popularity as a health remedy. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the particular antioxidant found in the drink which is responsible for giving the drink its medicinal properties.
How does green tea benefit your health?
The presence of a balanced quantity of antioxidants is essential for the smooth functioning of the body. Plus they can help prevent serious cellular damage which leads to cancer. Furthermore they help to reduce the affects of aging and other diseases. It is no wonder the Chinese have the longest life expectancy rate in the world.
When compared to Vitamin C the particular antioxidant found in green tea is measured to be twenty five times stronger and more effective. The same is the case when EGCG is compared with Vitamin E and its effectiveness with regards to protecting cells and the DNA structure.
Green tea disease prevention
There are a host of diseases that can be prevented and even remedied by making use of green tea. The drink can help prevent some of the most dangerous diseases that can afflict the human body such as cancer and HIV. On its own green tea also helps to improve the immune system in general.
Problems like rheumatoid arthritis, heart diseases and Alzheimer’s disease which usually crop up with age can also be countered by making use of green tea. Green tea has even been considered to prevent the development of the symptoms that lead to Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
Green tea & weight loss
Amongst the latest uses of green tea is that for weight loss. Health care professionals have realized that green tea can actually help speed up the body’s metabolism and assist in the process of losing weight. Hence we find that green tea has numerous health benefits for the human body and should be incorporated in our daily routine.