Green Tea – Uses, Health Benefits, and Side-effects
Green Tea is nutritious tea. Green tea was first consumed in China. According to legend, it was discovered by Emperor Shenzong of China in 2737 BC1. Later, Chinese monks started drinking green tea for refreshment and to help them meditate. They often traveled to India and elsewhere to introduce Buddhism and they took this Green Tea with them. Then, Green Tea gained popularity. People have been praising the health benefits of Green Tea for centuries.
Studies suggest Green Tea consumption can positively affect skin health, promote weight loss, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the International Institute of Sustainable Development, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water. Green Tea is prepared from the dried leaves of the tree (Camellia sinensis). Dried leaves and buds of tea plants are used to produce various types of tea. These leaves are prepared by steaming and frying and then drying. This article discusses the health benefits of Green Tea.
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Health Benefits of Green Tea
1. Good for skin
Green Tea acts as a powerful ingredient for the skin that fights the signs of aging. Drinking or applying green tea fights skin cancer by limiting the damage caused by harmful UV rays. Green Tea is rich in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which means it is useful for fighting bacterial infections, acne, and redness to maintain healthy skin.
2. Good for face
Green Tea is good for the face and helps you get a healthy glow. The abundance of antioxidants in Green Tea fights the damage caused by the removal of impurities. Green Tea rich in tannins. It is an antibacterial agent that stops the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
3. For Good Skin
Green Tea is good for clean skin. It helps in fighting clogged pores, excess oil production and free radicals. Green Tea contains substances that help fight these problems, including flavonoids, caffeine, and polyphenols. It also has some antibacterial properties. There are two main ways to use Green Tea for acne– systemically and temporarily. Therefore, you can either drink it or use it directly on your skin.
4. Helpful for hair
When it comes to strengthening your hair, Green Tea carries powerful benefits. It maintains the balance of natural oil production in the scalp and promotes new hair growth. We all want to have glossy hair and spend enough money on it. However, few of us realize that what we consume plays an important role in controlling the health of our hair. Green Tea is a drink that prevents hair loss due to its growth-promoting properties. In addition to taking it regularly, you can spray it on your hair.
This is a very simple way to nourish, protect and strengthen your hair. You can even mix it with sal vinegar, coconut oil, or any other ingredient of your choice to prepare a beautiful hair mask.
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5. For Diabetes
When it comes to drinking tea for diabetes, Green Tea is the best tea. This tea is packed with substances that can beat diabetes and help control blood sugar levels. Green Tea extract is especially beneficial for diabetes associated with obesity. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, Green Tea is a promising natural remedy for diabetics to balance their blood sugar levels.
6. Helps during pregnancy
There is no harm in enjoying 1 or 2 cups of Green Tea during pregnancy. However, excessive consumption of green tea can interfere with the absorption of folic acid. Folic acid is an important nutrient that women need to prevent birth defects, especially during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Green Tea contains small amounts of caffeine which can increase heart rate and blood pressure. This may all be fine at first, but as pregnancy progresses, your body’s ability to break down caffeine decreases. This can cause trouble falling asleep, and make you feel upset, or feel nauseous. Therefore, this tea can be consumed in the early stages of pregnancy and should be avoided later or consulted with your doctor before use.
7. Helps during menstrual
Menstrual cramps and premenstrual symptoms are very painful for women. Fortunately, you can overcome and fight the symptoms associated with menstruation by following a healthy diet. If you decide to drink hot drinks, try drinking Green Tea during your menstrual period. Green Tea increases blood flow and relieves menstrual cramps. Green Tea is full of antioxidants that can help keep you hydrated.
8. Promotes weight loss
One of the easiest ways to lose weight is to use Green Tea. From flooding your body with antioxidants to soothing your digestive system, Green Tea definitely promotes weight loss. You can use Green Tea to keep control of your excess calories. Therefore, you should drink 1/2 cup of Green Tea a day and accelerate the weight loss process.
9. For oral health
Green Tea is excellent for healthy teeth and gums. Although Green Tea garners most of the attention for its benefits for skin and hair, it is gradually gaining newfound popularity – in oral care. It contributes to oral health by improving the PH level of the mouth.
Research has confirmed that those who drink Green Tea for oral health have superior periodontal health and are protected from cavities and tooth decay. Green Tea helps fight plaque by breaking down bacteria and reducing the acidity of saliva.
10. Fights against cancer
Green Tea doesn’t have enough processing and therefore retains a ton of its nutrients. It is rich in polyphenols which are known for their anti-cancer activity. Studies suggest that polyphenols interfere with cell quality processes and destroy tumor cells. Green Tea is rich in flavonoids that prevent cancer and regenerate damaged cells.
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11. Benefits for cough
Colds and coughs are common problems in winter. Drinking a hot cup of green tea is an excellent home remedy to fight cough. It can help relieve sore throats. You can mix honey with green tea to enhance the flavor. The antibacterial nature of honey helps to relieve throat infections and flu.
12. Helps brain function
The caffeine in Green Tea acts as a stimulant. Green Tea is also known to improve brain function along with us feeling more energetic after just drinking coffee or tea.
13. Protect bones
Studies have shown that drinking Green Tea can stimulate mineralization which creates bone formation. Green Tea may improve bone loss, and protect against osteoporosis due to stronger bones.
Uses of Green Tea
Green Tea can be drunk both hot and cold. To get the most out of this tea, drink it in the morning. For better taste, you can also add some honey to it.
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Side effects of Green Tea
Although drinking Green Tea is considered harmless, it may cause some side effects. Most of these side effects occur when green tea is consumed in excess. The main compound in Green Tea that causes side effects is caffeine. Some of the side effects of excessive consumption of Green Tea are:
- Anxiety
- Stomach problems
- Sleeplessness
- Anemia
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Bleeding disorder
- Liver problem
- Irregular heartbeat
- Headache
Therefore, Green Tea should be used in the right amount considering the benefits and harms as excessive use of any product can harm our health. The above is information provided for general information purposes only. Green Tea is used for medicinal purposes.
Conclusion
The information discussed in this article has introduced you to the health benefits of Green Tea. In this article, you will learn about the benefits, harms, uses, and other health-related information of Green Tea. I hope the information mentioned in this article will be useful to you. Thank you!
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FAQ
1. What happens if we drink green tea every day?
Ans: Regular consumption of Green Tea can help you lose weight and reduce your risk of several diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
2. Who should not drink Green Tea?
Ans: People with peptic ulcers or acid reflux should not consume too much green tea.
3. What is the best time to drink Green Tea?
Ans: Studies suggest that the best time to drink Green Tea is in the morning.
4. Why is Green Tea bad for us?
Ans: Green Tea contains tannins which can increase the amount of acid in your stomach. Excess acid can cause digestive problems including constipation, acid reflux, and nausea. Drinking too much green tea can increase these side effects.
5. What can I mix with Green Tea?
Ans: You can add fresh lemon juice or lemon slices to green tea and add a little honey.