Green Tea

Green Tea:

Green Tea prepared by steaming and pan-frying the leaves and leaf buds of Camellia sinensis and then drying them.

Some facts about Green Tea:

• Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages with lots of health benefits.
• It helps improve brain function, fat loss, protect against cancer, lower the risk of heart disease and many more as it is loaded with antioxidants.
• Green tea is used extensively in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea as a traditional medicine to treat everything from fever to heart disease..
• Green tea is native to mountainous regions of China, Japan, and India and is cultivated around the world in countries with tropical and subtropical climates.
• It is considered as one of the safest and healthiest beverages to consume.
• Green tea should be avoided on an empty stomach. It should be consumed after meal to avoid its side effect.

Health Benefits of Green Tea:

• Green tea contains healthy bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and catechin that makes green tea more than just a hydrating beverage.
• The polyphenols present in green tea are natural compounds that can reduce inflammation and help fight cancer.
• A catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is one of the main compounds that gives green tea its medicinal properties. These are natural antioxidants that help prevent cell damage.
• The formation of free radicals in the body can be reduced as well as cells and molecules are protected from damage by these substances.
• Green tea also contain small amounts of minerals that can help benefit your health.
• The key active ingredient in green tea is caffeine, which is a known stimulant help boost brain function. The firing of neurons and the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine can be increased by blocking an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine to stimulate the brain.
• Various aspects of brain function, including mood, vigilance, reaction time, and memory can be improved by drinking green tea regularly.
• Green tea also contain also contains amino acid L-theanine, that help increase the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects.
• Dopamine and the production of alpha waves can also be incresed in the brain by the presence of L-theanine.
• The combination of L-theanine and the small dose of caffeine in green tea has a powerful effects in improving brain function.
• The fatty acids from fat tissue can be mobilized by caffeine and can be used as energy, thereby improving physical performance. So, green tea is considered to increase fat burning and boost metabolic rate.
• The antioxidants present in green tea can help protect against oxidative damage which can lead to chronic inflammation and eventually to chronic diseases like cancer.
• You may have a lower risk of various types of cancer including Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Colorectal cancer and many more if you drink green tea regularly.
• The bioactive compounds in green tea such as the catechin compounds can have various protective effects on the brain. They may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease like dementia in older adults, and Parkinson's disease that causes the death of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
• The bioactive compound catechins can potentially lower the risk of infections by suppressing the growth of bacteria. Catechins has the ability to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans which is a common bacterium in the mouth responsible for plaque formation and is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay. It also help reduce the risk of bad breath.
• Drinking green tea may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. As the free radicals that may cause oxidative stress can be eliminated, it help reduce various types of cell damage and  type 2 diabetes.
• Drinking green tea may improve some of the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke by improving total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
• The LDL particles can be protected from oxidation as the antioxidant capacity of the blood will be increased, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Drinking green tea may be effective at reducing the abdominal fat. It may help you lose weight by boosting the metabolic rate.
• The presence of l-theanine may aid sleep by lowering heart rate through the inhibition of glutamate receptors in the brain

Side Effects of Green Tea:

• There are a few side effects that may occur by drinking green tea which  can be avoided by consuming only moderate amounts. Caffeine is the main compound in green tea that causes reactions in sensitive individuals. Therefore, individuals with sensitivities to caffeine should also avoid this beverage.
• There is a possibility of stomach irritation when green tea is brewed too strongly or consumed on an empty stomach. Tannins present in green tea can increase the amount of acid in your stomach. Excess acid can lead to digestive issues including acid reflux, constipation and nausea.
• The colon muscles will get stimulated to contract and release more frequently because of the laxative effect produced by caffeine resulting in more frequent trips to the bathroom causing upset stomach. Diarrhea can be cause when consumed in large amounts. Avoid green tea if you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome.
• Avoid green tea if you suffer from acid reflux disease and stomach ulcers since it can increase acidity.
• Green tea can cause headaches since it contains caffeine. Therefore, drinking green tea every day should be avoided if you suffer from daily headaches.
• Green tea can cause problems sleeping for people sensitive to caffeine as the chemical compounds present in green tea prevent the release of hormones such as melatonin, which aid in sleep.
• Green tea should be avoided by people suffering from anemia or other disease where iron deficiency is present as the antioxidants present in green tea may hinder the iron absorption in the human body. Adding lemon to your green tea may help combat this side effect as the vitamin C in lemon promotes iron absorption, counteracting this side effect.
• Tannins that is present in green tea have been linked to nausea and constipation because of the way proteins bind in the intestines causing nausea and vomiting if consumed in excessive amounts.
• Green tea can trigger bleeding disorders by decreasing levels of fibrinogen, a protein that helps clot blood. Avoid drinking green tea if you suffer from a blood clotting disorder as it also prevents the oxidation of fatty acids, which can lead to thinner blood consistency.