For thousands of years, cultures around the world have consumed green tea for its calming effects and diverse flavors. A simple cup of green tea can help relax your body and mind almost instantly. However, green tea also has a myriad of medicinal benefits as well. From digestion to cell health, here are a few of the benefits of drinking green tea regularly.
Antioxidants
One of the more well-known benefits of green tea is its antioxidant properties. Green tea specifically contains compounds called catechins which are a type of antioxidant that repairs cell damage and facilitates the removal of harmful agents in the body. The findings of one research study conducted by Sarah Forester and Joshua Lambert suggests that the antioxidant properties of green tea are responsible for protecting cells from damage.
While some proponents of green tea believe green tea to have cancer preventative qualities, more research is needed on the topic before any causal claims can be made. However, much research has been done on the positive effects of antioxidants present in green tea, which work to remove free-radicals on the cellular level.
Nasua-Reliever
Just as a shower can relieve nasal congestion, so can a hot cup of tea, just on a smaller scale! This next benefit goes for almost any type of tea, as the steam and heat from the beverage work to break up and thin out the mucus clogging your nasal passageways. Simply make a cup of hot tea, take in the hot steam and let each sip linger in your throat for a few seconds before swallowing. After a few minutes, you should be able to breathe more comfortably.
Less Caffeine than Coffee
If you’re like me, you probably need some caffeine to get your day started on the right foot. However, a few years ago, I switched over from coffee to green tea in an attempt to curb the negative effects coffee was having on my nervous system. Some days I would feel a little jittery and nervous. It was also affecting my ability to fall asleep, even after just one cup in the morning.
Green tea, on the other hand, has been a great way to start my day. Not only does the steam helps open my airways in the morning, but it also contains half the amount of caffeine as coffee, allowing me to feel refreshed but balanced and calm. It’s also much less acidic than coffee, which has done wonders for my stomach, especially early in the morning.
Improve Gut Health
One of the major beneficial compounds present in green tea is polyphenols. Polyphenols help maintain a healthy environment for the good bacteria in your gut. Supporting this environment can improve your ability to digest and move food through your body, relieve the stress on your liver and improve your sleep. Green tea can also improve the body’s ability to convert stored fat into energy.
Whether you’re taking it as a supplement or drinking it in the morning as a coffee replacement, green tea can have a powerful effect on your well-being. Make sure not to exceed the recommended dosage of 2-3 cups a day, as green tea does contain caffeine which can cause anxiety and digestive issues in large amounts.