Unlock the Secret to Longevity: The Health Benefits of Green Tea
The Health Benefits of Green Tea
With the growing popularity of green tea, you might dismiss this tasty brew as just another fad. The truth of the matter is that there is scientific evidence that green tea actually does help prevent cardiovascular disease and slow the progression of certain types of cancer. What substances give green tea its health promoting qualities?
The perfect brew for wellness
One of the reasons green tea is so popular with natural health enthusiasts is that of all the different types of tea, this variety has undergone the least amount of processing. When you enjoy its natural flavor without added sweeteners, it does not have any calories. This makes it perfect for people who need to watch their sugar intake. Additionally, green tea has very little caffeine (20-45 mg/cup), unlike black tea blends (50mg/cup) and coffee (95mg/cup). While these are all great reasons to enjoy a cup of green tea, the fact is that this type of tea is the richest in powerful natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants
The extraordinary health benefits of green tea are the result of the density of polyphenol antioxidants contained in the tea. These natural substances give this beverage its ability to combat the free radicals in your body, which cause cell damage associated with cancer. ECGC is a highly researched polyphenol in green tea and is one of the most robust antioxidants. Additionally, polyphenols also prevent the damaging inflammation of blood vessels that is linked with cardiovascular disease.
Green tea and cardiovascular health
A large-scale longitudinal study conducted in Japan found that people who drank green tea on a regular basis significantly reduced their risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Another research project lead by scientists at the University of Connecticut linked the ECGC in green tea with blocking the absorption and accumulation of cholesterol and triglycerides, which are both fats in your blood that can block blood vessels leading to stroke and heart attacks. Another double blind Japanese research study found that taking green tea supplements for a period of three months not only reduced cholesterol in subjects with high levels of this fat in their blood, but they also helped these individuals lose weight.
Prevent cancer and its progression with green tea
A monograph published by the University of Maryland Medical Center outlining the benefits of green tea cites numerous population-based and clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of green tea in not only reducing your risk of cancer, but also slowing the growth of cancerous tumors. Some examples of the types of cancers that can be treated or prevented with green tea include:
Pancreatic cancer
Breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
Prostate cancer
Add green tea to your health regimen