Green tea is used both as a beauty ingredient and a natural remedy for different health conditions.
It’s made from the leaves of the same plant, which is harvested for black, oolong, and white tea. And it’s super delicious, with earthy and toasty flavor! Of course, you can find many different types of green tea on the market, so even if you don’t like its original taste, you can satisfy your preferences with added flavors and aromas.
The optimal number of teacups to drink during the day is 3 to 5. Such a dose could offer you the most health and beauty benefits, without overdosing and causing negative effects. Because balance is healthy!
So let’s spill the tea and see some of the benefits of consuming green tea on a regular basis.
May boost your energy
Green tea contains caffeine. And even though the caffeine content is not as high as in coffee or black tea, drinking green tea can wake you up in the morning and source your body with some additional energy.
1 teacup of green tea will supply you with around 25 mg of caffeine (depending on the brand), which can give a slight energy boost. Don’t expect the effect to be the same as the buzz of coffee, as this tea is usually very gentle to your body. [1]
If you experience sensitivity to coffee (start feeling nervous, shaking, maybe experiencing panic attacks), green tea can be a great substitute. In fact, the book “Alternative aging: How to stay looking and feeling young for longer” also suggests that green tea can be considered as one of the best coffee substitutes, as it provides you with caffeine and antioxidants without withdrawal symptoms. [2]
May help with weight loss
According to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity, green tea may play a role in weight loss and weight management due to its catechins content. [3]
Catechins are natural antioxidant compounds (e.g. epigallocatechin-3-gallate, also called EGCG). According to a review study, they may play an important role in controlling the blood sugar levels, preventing sharp spikes in the blood glucose, and facilitating proper insulin secretion. This way, the body cells could be stimulated to effectively use glucose for energy and body fuel instead of storing it as fat cells. [4]
Another study by NAASO looked at the effect of green tea catechin extract on body fat and heart disease. The results showed that the catechins protect LDL particles from oxidation. Besides, a significant decrease in body fat, BMI, waist and hip circumference, and LDL (bad cholesterol) in individuals who consumed green tea with 583mg catechins was observed, compared to people who drank tea containing 96mg catechins. [5]
Besides, the combination of caffeine and catechins in green tea can be associated with increased resting metabolism (RMR), and improved lipid and glucose metabolism. [6] Or, in other words, green tea may help you to increase your energy expenditure and burn more calories.
This way, the controlled consumption of green tea (together with a suitable diet) can help you to achieve a caloric deficit (consume fewer calories than you use for energy) and maintain proper weight.
Nonetheless, there are conflicting studies and more research is needed on the weight loss and fat burning effects of green tea consumption. So we cannot rely solely on green tea for creating the necessary calorie deficit for weight loss and body fat loss. Instead, regularly exercising and seeing a nutritionist can more effectively stimulate and facilitate weight loss, metabolic rate, and fat burning.
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Contains antioxidants
The polyphenols (including catechins) in green tea can be great antioxidants. They could protect the body cells from free radical damage (UV radiation, pollution, smoking, malnutrition, etc.), reduce oxidative stress, and relieve inflammation. [7]
In fact, according to a review paper in the Natural Library of Medicine, the antioxidative properties of green tea may maintain your organs and systems healthy, preventing the development of cancer, and reducing the negative effects of oxidative stress in the body. [8]
May reduce inflammation
Another health property of the polyphenols present in green tea is that they can calm and reduce inflammation (both internal and external). Therefore, moderate consumption of green tea could play a role in improving the quality of life of patients with inflammatory diseases. Also, when tea leaves or tea bags are used topically, they may reduce skin inflammation from outside (including acne and allergy.) [9]
May boost your immune system
Evidence suggests that as green tea contains potent antioxidants, it could play a role in supporting the immune system of healthy individuals and helping their body to fight viruses, diseases, and bacteria. [10]
May improve brain health
Because of its caffeine content, green tea can make you more awake and alert. But the combination of the amino acid L-theanine and caffeine in this beverage may have a direct positive effect on the brain.
According to astudy in the Journal of Nutritional Neuroscience, the combination of those two compounds may improve brain performance in terms of concentration speed and accuracy. [11]
This way, green tea can be an excellent choice for “during study/work” drink.
May reduce dark circles
Green tea has another fantastic property! It could support you in your battle against under-eye circles and swelling.
By placing used cold green tea bags around the eye area (and drinking the tea), you allow the caffeine in the tea leaves to stimulate proper blood circulation in the eye area, which can reduce swelling. Simultaneously, the tannins (a type of antioxidant) can firm the skin and reduce the visibility of dark circles and capillaries. [12]
As a result, the combination of topical and internal use of green tea can be used as an effective method to keep your under-eyes fresh-looking.
May help mouth ulcers
Last but not least: oral hygiene. This health effect of green tea has been underestimated for a long time.
Evidence suggests that the regular consumption of green tea could be a budget-friendly and tasty method to keep your teeth, gums, and tongue healthy. It may reduce the number of harmful bacteria in your mount, preventing bad breath, formation of cavities, gum irritation, and inflammation. [13]