There is nothing more healthy than a plain glass of water… unless it’s accompanied with some green tea! Green tea has been consumed throughout the centuries, particularly in East Asian countries, and it is gaining tract here in the Western world due to its endless benefits. In fact, there is a little island off of Japan, Okinawa, which attributes its residents’ longevity (81.2 years on average, in case you were wondering… the longest lifespan in the world!) to its high consumption of green tea.
You may want to steep yourself a nice cup of green tea or add some matcha (concentrated, whole leaves of green tea ground up into a fine powder) to some water after reading the following shocking facts about green tea:
1. Prevents Wrinkles and Aids in Keeping Skin Young
Due to green tea’s potent source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, it prevents wrinkles and fine lines from developing. Additionally, it can be applied after a sunburn to reduce sun damage and heal faster.
2. Improves Brain Function
L-theanine is a naturally occurring chemical found in green tea that lowers anxiety and increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves within the brain. Combine that with the slight caffeine levels in green tea, and you have a potent brain awakening elixir.
3. Green Tea is the Second Most Consumed Beverage In the World
Coming just behind water, green tea is the most popular drink around the world, even beating out coffee! That’s lots of antioxidants being consumed!
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Korea-Boseong-Green.tea-07.jpg
4. Catechins Found In Green Tea Kill Off Bacteria and Fend Off Viruses
Say goodbye to colds and getting sick during flu season. Due to the catechins in the powerful tea, green tea is known to kill off bacteria that cause infections and prevents viral infections.
5. British People Drink Approximates 165 Million Cups of Tea a Day
That is a whopping 62 billion cups per year! In comparison, the United States only consumes 1.42 million pounds of tea each day.
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6. May Reduce Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Just by making green tea part of your life and consuming it’s antioxidants, you are cutting your risk of heart disease and stroke. Green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
7. Longevity and Decreased Risk of Death
In a study carried out in… you guessed it, Japan… found that those who drank the most green tea (at least 5 cups per day) were less likely to die during the 6 year study period of the 14,001 elderly Japanese participants aged 65-84 years old.
8. Bottled Green Tea Contains an Insignificant Amount of the Benefits
Be sure to brew your green tea fresh, as this is the best way possible to maximize those catechins, polyphenols, and L-theanine, which the bottled variety lacks. Not to mention all of the preservatives and added sugars that aren’t good for your health.
9. Green Tea Originated In China
While you may be familiar with the fact that tea originated somewhere out East, many incorrectly think that green tea was first consumed in Japan. It was actually China that introduced the concept of brewing green tea first.
Image Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Korea-Boseong-Green.tea-09.jpg/800px-Korea-Boseong-Green.tea-09.jpg
10. Prevents Cancer
With cancer being one of the world’s greatest fears in developing, this may be preventable in part by drinking green tea. Those helpful catechins banish cancer cells from developing, though some studies suggest that you need at least five cups of green tea per day to experience the anti-cancer benefits.
Sources:
http://www.notimeliketeatime.com/26-interesting-facts-about-tea/
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html
http://www.antioxidants-for-health-and-longevity.com/green-tea-facts.html
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/the-5-health-benefits-of-green-tea.html
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