5 Benefits of Green Tea

As a BetterHelp
affiliate, we receive compensation from BetterHelp if
you purchase products or services through the links
provided

Green tea is widely praised for its many health benefits. Because of these benefits, Eastern Asian countries are known for consuming more green tea than any other beverage. Green tea is developed from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Once this plant was brought to Japan, they could develop nine varieties of green tea. Since then, green tea has been a massive part of Japanese culture. Now people all around the world can enjoy green tea and its many benefits. There are also many different ways to enjoy the benefits of green tea. Whether you drink it hot or iced, take a supplement containing it as an extract, or get it through a caffeine patch, it is easy to benefit from green tea. If you are curious about these benefits, here are our top five.

Boosts Mood and Brain Function

Green tea is a natural stimulant that can produce a cerebral response without coffee’s jittery effects. When you drink green tea, the inhibitory neurotransmitter adenosine is blocked. This, in turn, helps the neurons fire more rapidly, increasing the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. This helps improve brain function, mood, vigilance, reaction time, and memory.

With green tea, you also get the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which reduces anxiety. This, along with its stimulant properties, creates a synergy. Research shows that the combination of these two elements can be potent when it comes to improving brain function.

Increases the Amount of Fat Burned

According to some research, green tea can help to burn more fat by boosting your metabolic rate. Some smaller studies show a group of men increasing the number of calories burned by four percent when taking green tea extract. Another study, which used a control group, found that green tea extract increased fat oxidation by 17 percent.

The stimulant effect that green tea has can also be responsible for the user burning more calories. This could be from an increase in movement due to having more energy, or it could be due to a reduction in appetite, which is also familiar with stimulants. Green tea also has the potential to improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from fat tissue, enabling them to be better used for energy.

Antioxidant Boost

Green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for protecting the body from various diseases or illnesses. Antioxidants are essential for preventing and restoring oxidative damage, which is responsible for chronic inflammation. This can lead to several different chronic diseases, such as cancer. Because green tea is a powerful source of antioxidants, several observational studies show that people who regularly drink green tea are less likely to develop cancers such as breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer.

Improves Oral Health

Some studies suggest green tea is helpful with the reduction of harmful bacteria in the mouth. Our mouths, teeth, and gums are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. Some of these bacteria are responsible for gingivitis and other oral infections. Green tea contains molecules that have both antibiotic and antifungal properties. Additionally, green tea can also help reduce bad breath. Bad breath is often due to an excess of bacteria in your mouth, so drinking green tea can improve this.

Can Help Lower the Risk of Type Two Diabetes

The rate of type two diabetes has been rapidly increasing in recent years. It is said that one in ten Americans are affected by type two diabetes. Type two diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance or the inability to produce insulin. Consuming green tea can help reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. A study conducted in Japan found that those with the highest green tea consumption had a 42 percent lower risk of developing type two diabetes.

Improve Your Health with Green Tea

Remember that these are just a few benefits you can experience by regularly consuming green tea. Some studies suggest that green tea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and neurodegenerative diseases. If you’d like to start benefiting from green tea, try swapping your morning coffee for a cup of green tea, or find a supplement containing green tea extract to include in your daily routine.

What are the health benefits of green tea?

Green tea has many health benefits, including improving brain function, burning more fat, boosting antioxidants, improving oral health, and reducing the risk of type two diabetes.

How does green tea burn fat?

Green tea can help to burn more fat by boosting your metabolic rate. Some smaller studies show a group of men increasing the number of calories burned by four percent when taking green tea extract. Another study, which used a control group, found that green tea extract increased fat oxidation by 17 percent.

Is it better to drink green tea or take supplements?

It is up to you and depends on your preferences as to whether you drink green tea or take supplements. However, if you are looking to increase your daily antioxidant intake and reap the other benefits of green tea, then it is recommended to drink at least one cup a day. Additionally, supplementing with green tea extract may be beneficial for those who don’t like the taste of green tea but still want its health benefits.

Connect one-on-one with a Psychiatrist

How much green tea should I consume per day?

It is recommended to consume between three to five cups of green tea per day to experience the most health benefits. Taking too much can also adversely affect your body, so do not overdo it. If you’re taking a supplement, follow the instructions that come with it.