Green Tea and What it Does for Your Health

What do you think about green tea? Do you drink green tea? Did you know that in Okinawa, Japan, drinking green tea is considered to be “essential”? It just so happens; green tea may be the healthiest drink on the market. How, you ask? I’ll tell you. It’s loaded with antioxidants that helps lower the risk of cancer and contains nutrients that help to improve brain function, aids in weight loss, lowers your risk of infections, and may even extend you life.

Here is a list of some of the benefits you can get from drinking green tea:

·        Reduces cholesterol levels

·        Anti-aging effects

·        Reduces inflammation

·        Reduces the risk of heart disease

·        Improves memory and brain function

·        Prevents cancers, especially breast, prostate and colorectal cancer

·        Increases fat-burning capability

·        Reduces appetite

·        Improves physical performance

·        Improves dental health by killing bad bacteria

·        Reduces risk of infections

·        Reduces risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes

·        Protects vision and prevents eye diseases

Along with antioxidants, this “superfood” also contains polyphenols (that reduces inflammation), flavonoids and catechins (which are natural antioxidants that prevent cell damage from free radicals) and small amounts of important minerals. A catechin, called Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG for short, is one of the most abundant and powerful compounds in green tea. Green tea contains very little caffeine, making it a great choice for those watching their caffeine intake.

Even more good news is that it doesn’t matter if you drink this tea cold or hot. The many benefits remain regardless of how you make it. In the colder months, I prefer hot green tea steeped for about 15 minutes. During the hotter months, I prefer it cold. I take a one-quart mason jar and fill it with filtered water. I add in on packet of organic stevia. Drop in the organic green tea bag, tighten the lid in place and set in the fridge for a few hours to steep. Add in whatever fruits, herbs or spices you love…or none at all. It makes a super refreshing drink, healthy enough to sip on every day.

What's even more amazing is that green tea holds many of the same benefits externally as it does internally!! Including green tea in your skin toners, bath salts, lotions, and soaps is a wonderful way to boost that antioxidant power in fighting free radicals. I use organic green tea in my tub tea and in some of our soaps.

What do you think now? Do you drink green tea?