Wednesday 4 November 2015

Start your day the right way…… with a healthy cup of green tea!



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!