Nothing quite like a cup of tea to get me going first thing in
the morning! Its good for your mind, body and soul and will help you
concentrate on the day ahead. Whatever you're going to be doing during the day,
tea will improve your accuracy and attention, make you feel more energetic and
alert. It will promote your mental clarity and boost your brainpower as well as
your health.
Why?
Green tea contains a lot of nutrients such as caffeine,
theobromine, vitamins, saponins, theophylline and epigallocatechin, that
individually have several health benefits. These are also know as antioxidants,
flavenoids and polyphenols.
So what are the health benefits from drinking green tea?
The compound epigallocatechin (EGCG) increases the metabolic rate and helps to
reduce the appetite and stimulates the nervous system making the fat burning
process faster. Two to four cups of green tea burns 70 - 80 calories a day. And
green tea helps you to exercise longer, it boosts your energy, and enhances
your performance. So, combined with a workout, whether cardio, strength
training or yoga, drinking green tea can really help you to lose weight.
Green tea is good for your body in so many different ways.
The antioxidants are said to be an active contributor in
fighting all types of cancer. EGCG, the main polyphenol in green tea has anti
cancer properties that may prevent the development of skin tumours. And these
polyphenols help to minimise UV and sun damage to your skin and reduce fine
lines and wrinkles keeping your skin looking youthful for longer.
Research shows that people who drink 3-5 cups of green tea
regularly have a lower risk of heart disease. The tannins in tea lower
cholesterol naturally and the polyphenols inhibit a protein called VEGF which
causes clogging of the arteries.
And, the polyphenol EGCG slows down the production of glucose in
the liver which in turn lowers blood sugar levels. So drinking green tea can
lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Your immune system gets a boost by drinking tea. The
antioxidants prevent cellular damage and help you to fight against colds and
flu.
Bones benefit too. Regular tea drinkers have higher bone mineral
density and strength than non tea drinkers. And the flavenoids protect against
bone loss and osteoporosis.
Even you dental health and hair can benefit from drinking
tea. Green tea kills bacteria in the
mouth lowering the risk of infection and the anti inflammatory properties boost
hair growth as it inhibits the growth of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which
hinders hair growth and hair fall.
If you're feeling stressed and anxious, a cup of tea will
provide relief. Green tea is like a cup of yoga - it can calm your nerves
whilst boosting you mood because the thiamine contained in green tea works as
an excellent anti-depressant helping to relieve stress.
To get the maximum benefit always use high quality loose leaf
tea from organic or pesticide free tea farms and not tea bags. Drinking tea
brewed from loose leaves contain a higher amount of healthy nutrients than that
of the tea bag.
So go ahead, put your kettle on and brew yourself a cup of
tea, for a healthy mind and body and for
longevity!
