What is useful for green tea — 8 properties for human health
Green tea not only has a pleasant taste and aroma, but is also rich in antioxidants and other valuable substances.
Scientists claim that green tea has a number of beneficial properties. It reduces the risk of developing cancer and pathologies from the heart and blood vessels, improves skin condition, destroys pathogenic bacteria and viruses, increases the efficiency and activity of the brain.
Research show that when drinking several cups of green tea a day, in the next 11 years the risk of death from any cause decreases by 12-23%, from heart and vascular pathologies – by 22-31%, from stroke – by 35-42%.
8 useful properties
Below are 8 proven theses on the benefits of green tea for our health (based on scientific research).
1. Contains biologically active substances
Most of the valuable components in the composition of tea leaves (catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, tannin, caffeine, taurine) they are preserved during brewing and enter the human body.
Tea is saturated with polyphenolic compounds that can reduce the activity of chronic inflammation and prevent the development of malignant tumors.
It also contains a small amount of minerals (zinc, chromium, selenium, manganese) and vitamins K and C.
Specialists from Malaysia recommend buy high-quality teas in stores, as they contain less fluoride, and chemical leaf treatment is used less often in their production.
2. Improves brain function
Green tea contains caffeine, which is a powerful stimulant of the nervous system.
How claim French scientists, caffeine increases the activity of neurons and the production of norepinephrine and dopamine. These substances make the brain works more actively and maintain a good emotional background .
After taking caffeine is being registered improve memory and attention, increase the speed of task completion.
Selected studies discovered that the consumption of green tea (due to the presence of the amino acid L–theanine in the composition) leads to an increase in the activity of GABA, which has an anti-anxiety effect.
The drink allows Coping with stress , depressive and anxiety disorders.
At the same time, green tea contains significantly less caffeine than coffee, but this is enough to realize biological effects.
3. Improves physical performance and helps to lose weight
Works of scientists from the Netherlands show
that green tea increases the rate of metabolic processes and, as a result, helps to burn fat to meet the energy needs of the body.
Swiss specialists discovered that taking green tea extract leads to an increase in the oxidation of adipose tissue cells and energy consumption by the body by 4%. The effect persists throughout the day.
Caffeine, which is part of the drink, promotes the release of fatty acids from fat depots and makes them a valuable source of energy . During physical exertion, each cell of the body receives the necessary nutrients for active and long-term work.
Research carried out at the University of Luton (UK), installed what is caffeine in tea Improves performance by 11-12%.
Green tea is also effective for weight loss, when the main goal is to get rid of excess adipose tissue in the body, rather than gaining muscle mass. The drink mainly reduces the number of fat cells in the abdominal area, which is important from an aesthetic and cosmetic point of view.
The effect of tea is not associated with gender hormonal mechanisms, it is equally effective in both men and women, which confirmed by the works of Chinese scientists.
4. Reduces the risk of developing cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in all developed countries. At the heart of the development of the disease, in most cases, lies
Oxidative cell damage when free radicals initiate abnormal tumor cell growth.
Numerous studies show that taking green tea can reduce the likelihood of developing the most common forms of malignant tumors. Antioxidants, which abound in the drink, are responsible for such properties.
Green tea has been found to be effective against cancer of the following organs ( 1 , 2 , 3 ):
- Mammary glands in women;
- Of the prostate gland in men;
- Of the colon and rectum;
It is important to note that adding milk can reduce the antioxidant activity of tea.
5. Protects the brain from neurodegenerative pathologies
Green tea has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the brain
not only in the short term, but also in the long term.
Taking a drink reduces the likelihood of age-related degeneration of nervous tissue, accompanied by the death of neurons, and, as a result, reduces the likelihood of developing Parkinson's, Alzheimer's or Peak diseases.
Drinking a drink also helps to improve the cognitive sphere ( memory , thinking and attention ), which is especially important in old age.
6. Destroys harmful bacteria
Works of scientists from the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany) demonstrate
the ability of active substances of green tea to suppress the vital activity of certain viruses.
It is effective against hepatitis C and B virus, influenza, human immunodeficiency.
The drink is recommended to be taken during flu epidemics, as well as for respiratory infections for the purpose of prevention and treatment.
Some research discovered that tea destroys the growth of streptococci in the oral cavity, esophagus and stomach. It is this group of bacteria that is responsible for the appearance of plaque on teeth and bad breath, the development of caries.
7. Reduces blood sugar levels
The development of type II diabetes mellitus is based on a decrease in the sensitivity of receptors on muscle and adipose tissue cells to insulin. As a result, insulin cannot force cells to absorb sugar from the blood.
According to the information Chinese experts, taking green tea leads to an increase in the sensitivity of insulin receptors and a decrease in the concentration of glucose in blood plasma.
The effect is long-term, as it was evaluated not only by blood sugar levels, but also by glycated hemoglobin (an indicator reflecting the glycemic profile over the past 2-3 months).
Japanese scientists installed that regular consumption of green tea can reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes by 42%.
The drink is recommended for people suffering from type II diabetes mellitus (to reduce the doses of medications taken) or who have an increased predisposition to this disease.
8. Improves the health of the heart and blood vessels
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in almost all developed countries.
Proven that the presence of green tea in the diet reduces the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases by 31%.
Experts from the UK describe the ability of the product to normalize blood lipid metabolism:
- Reduce total cholesterol;
- Reduce the level of TAG and LDL ("harmful" cholesterol);
- Increase the proportion of HDL ("healthy" cholesterol).
As a result, no conditions are created for cholesterol deposits on the walls of arteries and the development of diseases such as: coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, stroke.
Caffeine, which is part of the drink, in low doses has a diuretic effect (increases the formation of urine by the kidneys and its excretion), which allows you to slightly reduce blood pressure and ease the course of hypertension. However, when taken in large quantities, tea has the opposite effect.
Possible harm
Side effects when taking green tea are rare, but they can still make themselves felt. The most common are:
- Anxiety and anxiety. Some people have an increased sensitivity to caffeine. Taking any caffeinated drinks in them can cause anxiety, fear, anxiety, increased irritability, as well as passing pains in the stomach area.
- Decrease in the "viscosity" of blood. Green tea contains a small amount of vitamin K. When taken together with anticoagulants (for example, warfarin), the risk of bleeding increases.
- Allergic reactions. Are rare and characterized by a mild course (by the type of skin rashes, itching). If you have an allergy to green tea in the past, it is of course contraindicated.
Regular green tea can be taken by all people without exception (in the absence of hypersensitivity to certain components and taking anticoagulants). Biologically active food additives with green tea extract are contraindicated in pregnant women, people with cardiovascular pathologies, as well as with chronic diseases of the kidneys and liver, stomach.
Admission Tips
Let's look at the basic subtleties of using green tea:
- How to brew properly . It is preferable to use leafy green tea (not crushed and not in bags). First, boil the water and let it cool to 80-85 degrees (a higher temperature will destroy most antioxidants). Pour 1-2 tablespoons of tea 400-450 ml of hot water and let it stand for 1.5 to 10 minutes. Strain and the drink is ready. You should not use a thermos or exceed the brewing time, as the tea will turn out strong and tart.
- When and how much is better to take . You should not drink more than 3-4 cups (200 ml each) of weak green tea per day. Drinking more than 1,000 ml per day can cause a number of disorders associated with caffeine poisoning. It is recommended to drink the drink in the morning (including on an empty stomach) and during the daytime, it increases the overall tone of the body, relieves drowsiness. In the evening and before going to bed, it is better to refuse tea.
- What can be combined with . Green tea is combined with pieces of citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit, orange), honey and ginger. It is also often brewed together with rosehip, chamomile, mint, lemon balm, jasmine, soursop, lime, thyme, as well as many other plants. It is not recommended to add milk or cream, spices (cinnamon, cloves), sugar to the drink.
- Other methods of administration . Green tea is actively used for cosmetic purposes ("rejuvenating" lotions for face and body skin, masks). It can be purchased in capsules (extract), but it is recommended to give preference to natural freshly brewed tea. Essential oils with green tea are an aromatherapy method that has been gaining momentum in recent years. Inhaling the fragrance helps to improve mood, activate the brain and overcome stress.
- How and in what form to store . Green tea should be stored in a dark, dry and cool place in special bags or hermetically sealed jars.
Conclusion
- Green tea is a biologically useful drink. It is rich in antioxidants, some vitamins and minerals.
- The product fights cancer, type II diabetes mellitus and the most dangerous diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Green tea supports physical and mental performance, destroys pathogenic viruses and bacteria, and normalizes brain activity.
- The drink has a number of contraindications that you need to know about! Pregnant women, as well as people with chronic liver, kidney and stomach diseases, should avoid taking green tea extracts in order to maintain their health.
