As Japanese, I grew up drinking green tea. Many Japanese drink green tea every day, with their meals, after meals, with their snack, after work… Green tea is not only delicious but also very good for our health.
Here are the health benefits of green tea;
- Green tea protects your body. Green tea is loaded with polyphenols, which function as powerful antioxidants and reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells from damage and protect you from all kinds of diseases.
- Green tea improve your brain function. Caffeine in green tea can improve brain function including reaction time and memory. Also amino acid L-theanine in green tea has anti-anxiety effects and increases dopamine, which helps regulate movement and emotional responses. Studies have shown that the combination of caffeine and L-theanine can improve brain function.
- Green tea boosts energy and lower risk of becoming obese. Some studies have shown that green tea can boost metabolic rate and increase fat burning though the effect may depend on the individual.
- Green tea can lower risk of cancer. Green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, which have a protective effect on oxidative damage of cells. Some studies have shown that green tea drinkers have lower risk of developing various types of cancer.
- Green tea can lower risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Multiple studies have shown that catechin compounds in green tea have protective effects on neurons and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which are two most common neurodegenerative disorders.
- Green tea can protect your teeth. The catechin in green tea can kill bacteria and lower the risk of infections. It can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in your month and reduce bad breath.
- Green tea may lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Some studies have shown that green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels and green tea drinkers have lower risk of becoming diabetic.
- Green tea may lower cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have shown that green tea can lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol and green tea drinkers have lower risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Some studies also have shown that green tea drinkers have longer life.
By the way, do you know how to make green tea properly? Unlike black tea, boiling hot water is not good for green tea. Instead, use slightly less hot water like 180 degrees fahrenheit (80 degrees celsius) . Use a tea spoon of green tea leaves for 1 cup. Gently pour the water to the tea leaves and steep for a few minutes. Strain the leaves when the tea reaches your favorite level of taste. If you leave the tea leaves too long, the taste can get bitter.
Taste of green tea varies depending on origins. Usually the more expensive the tea leaves are, the more gentle and delicious the taste is. High quality one is actually slightly sweet and very flavorful. Generally green tea in Japan has good quality. Try a few kinds and find your favorite!