Four Reasons to Drink Green Tea

You cannot go anywhere today without seeing green tea on the menu. Even your favorite coffee shops are offering their own versions of this highly touted beverage. The reason for the green tea frenzy can be attributed to the many health benefits this particular type of tea.

The Chinese culture has been tuned into the benefits of green tea for some time – more than 4,000 years to be exact. In ancient Chinese medicine, green tea has been used to treat everything from gastrointestinal upset to depression. Now you can reap the health advantages of this beverage as well.

1. Increased Energy

One of the biggest benefits to drinking green tea is the energy boost it provides. This is due in part to the caffeine contained within the tea. However, if it was just about caffeine, why not choose coffee or cola instead? Along with the caffeine boost to your metabolism and energy level, green tea can provide a host of other benefits. No wonder it is quickly becoming one of the top thermogenic ingredients in many weight loss supplements today. When the metabolism is revved up, you can burn calories more efficiently and make the most of any weight loss program.

2. Immune Boost

In addition to an energy boost, green tea can also support the immune system with some of the more powerful antioxidants available. The antioxidants found in green tea are polyphenols, the same antioxidants found in red wine. The specific polyphenol in the tea is epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. This particular antioxidant has been found to be more powerful than vitamin E in its ability to fight the effects of free radicals. This substance can help protect the body from a variety of ailments, including some types of cancer.

3. Better Cholesterol Levels

Some studies also suggest that green tea can have a positive effect on cholesterol by lowering total cholesterol numbers while raising HDL (good) cholesterol. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels can reduce one’s risk of heart and cardiovascular disease. This may in part explain why Asian men have such a small risk of heart disease, despite the fact that the majority of them are smokers. Some studies suggest that green tea affects levels by blocking the intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

4. Cancer Protection

Numerous studies have shown a correlation between regular green tea consumption and a lower risk of many types of cancer. The cancers that green tea appears to protect against include breast, ovarian, colon, lung, prostate and skin cancer, among others. While it appears that the polyphenols in the tea contribute to the reduced cancer risk, more studies will need to be done to see whether a lower cancer incidence can be linked directly to green tea consumption. However, with few side effects to speak of, there is no reason not to drink green tea regularly for the definite and even possible health benefits it might provide.

While an apple a day still keeps the doctor away, having that apple with a cup of green tea might increase the health benefits even further. With the product in plentiful supply and offers many potential health benefits, there is no reason not to enjoy this delightful beverage on a regular basis.