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When it comes to healthy beverages, nothing comes close to green tea.
According to legend, the Emperor Shen Nong, considered by many to be the father of Chinese medicine and agriculture, discovered tea after a dried leaf from a wild tea plant, Camella sinensis, accidentally fell into the pot of water that he was boiling in his garden.
Contrary to what people might think, both green and black tea are made from the leaves of the C. sinensis plant. Their key difference is with the production processes that they undergo before they get to make their way to your favorite teacup.
Your primer for all things green tea
To make black tea, the leaves are first rolled after harvest and then exposed to air to trigger the oxidation process. This reaction causes the tea leaves to turn dark brown, as well as cause the flavors to heighten and intensify.
On the other hand, green tea is processed specifically to prevent oxidation. This is done by quickly pan firing or steaming the freshly picked leaves to retain more of the leaves’ color, fresh flavor and nutrients. The leaves are then shredded and packed either into bags or in cans as loose-leaf tea.
Matcha, a type of green tea first developed by the Japanese during the 12th century, takes this preservation of color and flavor just a few steps further. Farmers first cover their tea plants a month or so before harvest. This lack of direct sunlight forces the plants to amp up their chlorophyll production, which in turn boosts their amino acid and antioxidant content. This is evident in the plants’ darker green hue as well as their intensified, earthy flavor.
Once the tea leaves are harvested, the stems and veins are removed, and the leaves are ground up into the fine powder we all know and love.
What makes green tea a healthy drink?
Green tea is touted to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. This is not surprising, given that the drink is loaded with nutrients that are known to support good health.
Green tea contains the following nutrients and compounds:
- Catechins
- Caffeine
- Theanine
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B9
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Green tea also contains minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, as well as trace amounts of manganese, zinc and copper.
But where green tea truly shines is in its antioxidant content. A study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research noted that compared to other beverages, green tea has the highest amounts of bioactive plant compounds called polyphenols – all of which have been linked to an impressive array of health benefits.
What do I get from drinking green tea?
A nutrient and antioxidant powerhouse, green tea – and its close cousin matcha – has been linked to the following health benefits.
Green tea helps support optimal heart health
Drinking green tea may do wonders for the heart and the rest of the cardiovascular system, thanks to the presence of bioactive plant compounds in tea called catechins. A recent study reveals that catechins inhibit the formation of plaque in the body’s blood vessels. This ensures good circulation and, subsequently, cardiovascular health.
Another study published in the International Journal of Cardiology noted that people who drank one to three cups of green tea daily had a 19 percent and 36 percent reduction in their risk for heart attacks and strokes, over those who had less than one cup each day.
According to research published in Scientific Reports, drinking green tea can help maintain a healthy blood pressure level, thus making it an important addition to any diet.
Green tea promotes optimal cognitive function
A gift that keeps on giving, green tea is also rich in the amino acid L-theanine, which, experts say, can cause the mind to enter a relaxed but alert state. Not only that, a study even suggests that the amino acid also exhibits a potential neuroprotective property, which means it can help maintain optimal brain health and function.
Aside from improving alertness, green tea can improve brain function, with a study published in Nutrients noting that green tea powder can help slow the progression of cognitive dysfunction in elderly people — an effect attributed to the antioxidants present in green tea itself.
This means that the next time you go and pull an all-nighter, it may be better if you reached for some hot green tea or a frosty matcha smoothie instead of your regular cup of joe.
Green tea supports sensible weight management
If you think you’re losing the dreaded Battle of The Bulge, you might benefit from drinking green tea, which has been shown to support a healthy weight.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology, this ability can be attributed to the high quantities of catechins and other polyphenols in green tea, which, according to experts, may help in thermogenesis and fat oxidation.
It must be noted, however, that green tea is not a silver bullet that can zap your weight woes in an instant — you will still need to implement lifestyle changes such as engaging in more physical activities if you are to maintain a healthy weight.
A superfood that’s been around since practically the dawn of history, green tea isn’t just a refreshing and cleansing drink — it’s also chock full of phytochemicals and essential nutrients, making it one of the most healthful additions to any pantry.
Want to learn more about the wonders of functional and superfoods? Visit Superfoods.news for stories just like this one!
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