Green tea, a beverage par excellence, is one of the healthiest hot drinks around. Some may even go so far as to say it is the elixir of life, and many an ode has already been written in honour of its benefits ranging from improving blood flow, lowering cholesterol to preventing cancer and reducing fat to keep weight in check. The truth is, this impossibly simple drink seems almost too good to be true.
First of all, it is important to note that the benefits of drinking green tea are not the product of a modern health trend or fad. The medicinal properties of this beverage have been in use for thousands of years, across China and in Asia too.
Few people know it, but the regular black tea leaves and green tea leaves both original from the same plant species. The process of making black tea involves oxidation and fermentation, the lack of which allows green tea to retain all of its healthful properties, like catechins, antioxidants, and poly-phenols.
While it is hugely touted to be a zero-calorie drink, the real benefits of green go way beyond mere calorie burn. So is it all hype and hoopla? Let’s find out how you can make the best of it.
Aids weight loss
Here’s the bitter truth, no food or beverage is going to miraculously melt fat or calories away. So merely drinking a lot of green tea will not directly help in shedding those extra kilos. However, the EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) an active polyphenol present in green tea, is known to increase metabolism, and therefore, help in calorie burn. So if you’re looking for a healthy supplement for those many cups of sugary tea that punctuate your day, this just might be it.
Improves brain function
Tea-drinking intellectuals might be in on something, because it turns out that the presence of L-theanine in green tea helps protect neurological health and function, by regenerating damaged brain cells and improving brain vitality and function. In addition, in patients of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, it is known to curb the rapid deterioration of brain function brought on by the condition.
Aids oral care
Catechin, the antioxidant abundantly present in green tea is also known to fight bacteria and viruses, making it and excellent drink for fighting tooth decay, reducing bad breath and maintaining oral health. Not just dental hygiene, but also fighting throat infections and other bacterial dental conditions, are some of the good things that you can hope to benefit from drinking a few cups of green tea every day.
Fights degenerative health conditions
A high concentration of antioxidants means reduced damage caused by free radicals, the predominant cause for cancer. Green tea has the potential to help reduce your risk of developing cancer in the long run. Studies have also shown that green tea can help you fight cholesterol, lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, improve the levels of insulin and blood sugar in your system. A cuppa green tea a day, keeps the doctor away!
Here are few tips to make every cup of green tea count:
- Never add the tea leaves to boiling water. Always pour the hot water over a teaspoon of Tetley Long Leaf Green Tea leaves and allow them to steep. This way you will retain all the catechins present in the tea
- Avoid adding white sugar or an added sweetener, unless it is natural, like honey or demerara sugar, in order to get the best of the goodness of green tea
- Get an extra dose of Vitamin C by adding a squeeze of lime, or a shot of antioxidants by adding a dash of ground cinnamon.
- Avoid adding milk or any other whitener, as this makes it hard for the body to absorb the goodness.
- As with all natural things, moderation is key. While you can safely have up to 3-4 cups of green tea a day, consuming too much is not a good thing as it hinders the body’s capacity to absorb iron. Needless to say, green tea can by no means replace or substitute healthy practices in life. So while you rely on it for those added benefits, it is important to also lead a balanced and healthy life of moderation, in general.
There are few things more relaxing than sitting down with a cup of tea. Switch to Tetley Long Leaf Green Tea, and you can add numerous health benefits to your moment of relaxation. Theanine present in green tea is responsible for providing that calming effect. So the next time you’re stressed out, tired or just in the need for a break, make yourself a cup of Tetley Long Leaf Green Tea, made from leaves that are carefully sourced from Asia and combined with African tea leaves picked from the high altitude plantations to create a great quality green tea. They are 100% Natural, expertly blended and are quality checked at least 8 times to ensure superior taste. Tetley Green Tea has 5 times more anti-oxidants, which cleanses you from within, keeps you rejuvenated, promotes overall wellness and helps you manage your weight.
Experience for yourself, how a cup of Tetley Long Leaf Green Tea can invigorate your system and put you on the path to good health.
