Green tea is more than just a liquid.
Did you know green tea could help you feel better, lose weight and lower your risk of chronic diseases? No! Well you might want to consider making this healthy beverage a regular part of your daily routine.
It is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. These include improved fat loss, brain function, a lower risk of cancer and many other impressive benefits.
1. Green Tea Increases Fat Burning and Improves Physical Performance
If you look at the ingredients list for any fat burning supplement, chances are that green tea will be on there.
This is because green tea has been shown to increase fat burning and boost the metabolic rate, in human controlled trials (12, 13).
In one study in 10 healthy men, green tea increased energy expenditure by 4% (14).
Another study showed that fat oxidation was increased by 17%, indicating that green tea may selectively increase the burning of fat (15).
However, some studies on green tea don't show any increase in metabolism, so the effects may depend on the individual (16).
Caffeine itself has also been shown to improve physical performance by mobilizing fatty acids from the fat tissues and making them available for use as energy (17, 18).
In two separate review studies, caffeine has been shown to increase physical performance by 11-12%, on average (19, 20).
2. Brain Function and Mental Performance Improvement
While the stimulants in tea can keep you awake, they can also make your brain function better. The main stimulant, caffeine, is present in tea at enough of a dose to provide a lift for most people without causing the increased anxiety and “jitters” associated with too much coffee.
In the brain, the main method of action of caffeine is to block adenosine receptors, allowing neurons to fire for longer, increasing brain activity. Studies have shown caffeine improves concentration and memory.
Additionally, the amino aide L-theanine has a relaxing effect while simultaneously increasing alertness, which, in combination with caffeine, can increase brain function and help you be more productive.
3. Green Tea Can Kill Bacteria, Which Improves Dental Health and Lowers Your Risk of Infection
The catechins in green tea also have other biological effects.
Some studies show that they can kill bacteria and inhibit viruses like the influenza virus, potentially lowering your risk of infections (31, 32, 33, 34).
Streptococcus mutans is the primary harmful bacteria in the mouth. It causes plaque formation and is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay.
Studies show that the catechins in green tea can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans. Green tea consumption is associated with improved dental health and a lower risk of caries (35, 36, 37, 38).
4. Maintain Healthy, Youthful-Looking Skin
Green tea can prevent wrinkles and the signs of aging because the antioxidants in green tea are able to fight free-radical damage. Similarly, the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea can help prevent damage to skin from all sorts of harmful environmental stressors.
Additionally, green tea can help relieve psoriasis by reducing the redness and irritation that comes with it; green tea has also been shown to reduce the redness that comes with rosacea.
5. Green Tea May Reduce Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the biggest causes of death in the world (44).
Studies show that green tea can improve some of the main risk factors for these diseases.
This includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (45).
Green tea also dramatically increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood, which protects the LDL particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway towards heart disease (46, 47).
Given the beneficial effects on risk factors, it is not surprising to see that green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease (48, 49, 50).
Summary
Adding green tea as a regular part of your routine can assist with weight loss, feeling better and lowering your risk of chronic diseases.
All information written and obtained from the following sources: