Antioxidant Benefits Of Green Tea
Have you ever wondered what the antioxidant benefits of green tea are? A better question may be:
Do you know what antioxidants are in the first place?
Well, let’s take a look…
Antioxidants are powerful compounds that are found in many of the foods you eat, and the drinks you consume each day.
They have the power to change your health—for the better—by eliminating molecules that could make you sick, damage healthy cells, and cause spikes in inflammation.
Antioxidants work by destroying these molecules (called free radicals) before they cause significant damage to your body.
The end result is better health, less inflammation, and a much better chance of living a disease-free life.
In order to determine how much antioxidants a food has, you would look at the ORAC table. This table shows the antioxidant power of certain foods, even superfoods.
This shows how much power that food—of food groups—has at eliminating free radicals and lowering damage, inflammation, and disease risk.
Green tea, which is a powerful, antioxidant-rich drink, could supply an endless stream of antioxidants that your body could use to improve health.
The Antioxidant Power of Green Tea
Green tea, which is extremely popular in places like China, Japan, and other Asian countries, is a rich source of powerful molecules that could improve your health, whether you drink it in the morning or the early evening.
Green tea was first discovered when a few dead leaves fell into some boiling water that an emperor just happened to be drinking.
He instantly fell in love…and devoted his life to drinking green tea. Little did he know, at the time, just how powerful his discovery would turn out to be.
Thanks to the power of green tea (attributed to the catechins and antioxidants) it was often used as a type of medicine to cure many health ailments.
The antioxidants found in green tea are catechins and tannins, with one of the most powerful (and most widely researched) antioxidants being found green tea.
The powerful catechin, EGCG, has been extensively researched, and has been shown to add tremendous benefits to your health.
From lower blood sugar and cholesterol to better memory and improved weight loss, EGCG may be the driving force behind all of these powerful benefits.
So what are some of the antioxidant benefits of green tea?
The Antioxidant Benefits of Green Tea
Although green tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, it took some time to become popular in the US.
But today, it’s the most picked drink (next to water), rivaling other favorites like alcohol and coffee.
One reason why it’s become so popular is because of the antioxidant benefits of green tea, which include:
1. Reduced Risk For Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s
As you get older, the health of your brain may start to decline. This could lead to lapses in memory, poor concentration, and a reduction in overall brain function.
This could also lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, which is the leading cause of dementia and death in older adults.
The second most common brain disorder is Parkinson’s disease. Although very different diseases, they both impact your brain function.
That’s why it’s critical that you do everything you can to protect your brain and prevent diseases like Alcheimer’s or Parkinson’s from developing.
Green tea, and the powerful antioxidant compounds, could reduce your risk, therefore keeping your brain active and healthy.
Studies show the catechins found in green tea could have protective effects on neurons. Again, this could protect your brain from these two diseases.
2. Kills Bacteria and Improves Dental Health
Your mouth may be a breeding ground for bacteria. And these bacteria could burrow into your teeth, causing cavities and other dental issues.
Plus, these bacteria may also travel in your bloodstream which could lead to issues with your heart.
The bacteria in question, called Streptococcus mutans, could lead to plaque development and cavities.
Studies show, however, the catechins found in green tea could kill bacteria in your mouth, and could inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. This could improve dental health and the prevention of cavities.
3. May Reduce Heart Disease Risk
It’s sad to say, but heart disease is the number one killer of men and women around the world. It kills more people every year than every other health ailment.
That’s why reducing risk factors may be vitally important for your health. The main risk factor you should be looking at lowering would be LDL cholesterol.
Although generally not dangerous, LDL particles may become oxidized, which could turn it into a killing machine.
Once LDL particles are oxidized, they have an easier chance at attaching to your artery wall, therefore creating damage and blockages.
However, the catechins and antioxidant compounds found in green tea may increase your antioxidant capacity.
This could prevent LDL particles from becoming oxidized, therefore reducing the likelihood that they can create damage.
Studies have consistently shown that those who drink green tea may be 31 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.
4. Boost Weight Loss
There are numerous studies that show, in the short-term, green tea may stimulate your metabolism, which could lead to increased fat oxidation and weight loss.
These same studies show that most of the weight that is lost is from the abdominal region, meaning there is less belly fat on tea drinkers.
In fact, one study that compared non-tea drinkers and green tea drinkers showed some fascinating results. They followed 240 men and women for 12 weeks to determine changes in their bodies.
They found that green tea drinkers had significant decreases in body weight, body fat percentage, and waist circumference.
Another study showed that the combination of catechins and caffeine could boost your metabolic rate by a whopping 4 percent. If you’re sensitive to caffeine or tannins, you may experience some side effects if you drink green tea. In this article, you can learn how to drink green tea without the side effects so you can reap all the health benefits of this popular drink.
It may not seem like a lot, but this boost—day in and day out—could lead to significant changes in your body.
The Take Home Message
Green tea, which is the second most consumed beverage in the world (next to water), is a powerhouse of nutrition.
Filled with antioxidants, catechins, and tannins, green tea could lower blood sugar, reduce the risk for heart disease, and could improve your brain function.
It could also boost your metabolism, reduce diabetes risk, and could even prevent age-related brain disorders from occurring.
Green tea contains one essential compound that other teas don’t—and that’s EGCG. This one nutrient has been extensively researched and has been shown to add tremendous health improvements.
That’s why consuming concentrated green tea, like the kind in Amla Green, could add tremendous antioxidant benefits of green tea for your entire body.
Get The Antioxidant Power Of Green Tea Combined With Amla To Add Tremendous Benefits To Your Health