Tea is comprised of three main active ingredients: catechins (antioxidants), L-theanine, and caffeine. After consuming the tea they worked together to promote good health, weight loss, and beauty.

Caffeine is found on the outer membrane of the beautiful tea leaf, not in order to wake us up in the morning but to self-defense from insects. Caffeine stimulates the system, speeds up circulation, and is important for weight loss, but too much caffeine is not good for the body. Tea contains far less caffeine than the coffee and also contains the miracle ingredient– a unique amino acid L-theanine that neutralizes the caffeine harmful effect. It is found exclusively in the tea plant.

Researchers have found that L-theanine works by supporting the formation of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain that blocks releasing of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin which are mood affecting. In this way it directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves which are associated with a state of deep relaxation and enhanced mental clarity, while increasing sensations of pleasure. It also provides the feel of satiety and fullness, one of the weight loss properties.

The most popular green tea components are polyphenols which act as antioxidants and exhibit numerous biochemical activities. Tea polyphenols consist mostly of catechins, the most powerful of which is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) – found only in green tea. It is about 25-100 times more potent antioxidant than vitamins C. One cup of green tea provides 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries.

The high antioxidant activity of green tea makes it beneficial for protecting the body from oxidative damage due to free radicals, formed as a result of stress, incorrect nutrition, UV rays, cigarette smoke, and vigorous workouts. An overabundance of free radicals in the body can lead to infections and various degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure and speeds up the aging process as well. The better quality the tea and the fresher the leaves the higher concentrations of EGCG will be. This is why it is important to drink a good, fresh, whole leaf tea as opposed to the dust in tea bags.

Green tea has been used for thousands of years by both the Chinese and Japanese as a health remedy with antioxidant and detoxifying effects. Over the years researchers have found more convincing proof of its healing qualities so today the list of health benefits becomes endless…

1.    Prevent Heart Disease and Cancer
Due to the high content of antioxidants, it easily combats the dangerous free radicals inhibit uncontrolled cell growth, reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack, increases coronary flow, and promotes healthy blood vessel functionality. Regular drinking of 3 to 6 cups of green tea every day can really help fight off these diseases.

2.    Reduce cholesterol levels
Regular consumption of high-quality green tea can reduce lipid absorption in the digestive tract and promote their excretion from the body. Speeding up lipid metabolism can reduce the levels of the “bad LDL cholesterol” while increasing “good HDL” cholesterol.

3.    Improve the immune system and detoxify the body
Increasing the white blood cell count, which is responsible for fighting infection, green tea antioxidants have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal activities. These include some types of salmonella, influenza, and herpes simplex. A component of green tea may also detoxify the poisonous substance and harmful heavy metals (lead, chrome, mercury, cadmium, etc.) by connecting and eliminating them.

4.    Promote diet, weight loss & digestion
It’s time to replace the weight loss supplements with this natural timeless beverage!
Green tea has fat-burning properties and promotes weight loss, especially when combined with increased physical activity and a healthy diet. The general recommendation for achieving this effect is regular drinking of 4 cups of green tea every day in a period of a minimum of three months. Green tea polyphenols are known to increase the metabolism of fats by the liver (thermogenic effect), inhibit lipase (fat absorption enzyme) in the digestive tract, and provide a feeling of satiety and fullness. Continuous ingestion of a green tea extract high in catechins (present only in a high-quality loose tea!), promotes a reduction in body fat and blood pressure that in turn contributes to a decrease in obesity and cardiovascular disease risks. Green tea also aids digestion by increasing the flow of digestive juices if taken after a meal.

5.    Prevent high blood pressure & atherosclerosis
Green tea lowers blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension.
Tea increases the body’s production of nitric oxide, which dilates arteries and thereby reduces blood pressure. Regular tea drinking for at least one year will decrease the risk of developing high blood pressure for 65%, especially if tea consumption is more than 3 cups per day. Regular green tea drinking may also be beneficial for the prevention of atherosclerosis when the plaque builds up on the insides of the arteries. Green tea has been shown to effectively lower the risk of atherosclerosis by lowering LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and fibrinogen (a protein in the blood involved in the formation of blood clots). Green tea is a powerful antioxidant and protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation. Oxidized cholesterol gets sticky and tends to cling to the walls of the arteries, leading to the development of atherosclerosis.

6.    Lower blood sugar
Green tea is traditionally used to control blood sugar. It blocks a function of an enzyme that digests and absorbs sugar and in this way it prevents diabetes. People who drink more than 4 cups per day are less likely to develop diabetes than those who drink less than 1 cup.

7.    Re-hydrate the skin and protect it from UV rays
Green tea polyphenols protect the skin from the damage caused by UV-induced sunburn and photoaging of the skin. It provides an anti-aging effect, delaying the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles, protect the skin by improving the elastic tissue and re-hydrate the skin cells (especially important in the summer period!).

8.    Boosts Mental Alertness and relief stress
Drinking green tea may combat stress &anxiety and improve mental activities. New research found that the amino acid L-theanine (link do L-theanine), found exclusively in the tea plant, promote a deeply relaxing effect (without the sedating effects!) by crossing the blood-brain barrier, where it affects the brain’s neurotransmitters and increases alpha brain-wave activity. The result is a calmer state of mind with improved mental concentration and learning ability.

9.    Fight against dental caries
Regular use of green tea reduces gingivitis and the bacteria that cause dental plaques and halitosis (bad breath). It also increases the acid resistance of tooth enamel. As a very rich natural source of fluoride green tea helps to prevent dental decay and cavities.

10.    Arthritis
Green tea may help people with arthritis by reducing inflammation and slowing cartilage breakdown by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage as well as reducing swelling and pain. It also prevents osteoporosis and increases bone mineral density.

Beyond all this, remember that green tea is also delicious. The most benefit of course comes from high-quality loose leaf tea. These have less caffeine and more antioxidants. It is an affordable, delicious, and truly magical elixir. By drinking a good quality Green Tea we are not only enjoying the pleasures a tea can bring but we are contributing to improving the overall health condition.