Benefits of Green Tea

Nowadays, many consider a cup of green tea to be a soothing herbal treatment for various diseases and health problems. As a matter of fact, the rising popularity of green tea's many health benefits are now being studied by doctors and experts worldwide. You may be wondering why green tea is suddenly attracting the attention of health-conscious individuals from around the world. To shed some light, here are some of the various health benefits the green tea supposedly has -- many claim that green tea may actually:

Prevent Certain Types of Cancer

Although further studies and research are still needed to fully support this claim, some believe that green tea may help prevent the growth of certain types of cancer cells. Based on the study supported by the American Association for Cancer Research, Polyphenon E – a special substance found in green tea -- was able to lessen the growth of tumors that lead to colorectal cancer in rats that were exposed to a treatment that causes such a disease. Moreover, experts from the Yale University School of Medicine theorized that the amount of green tea consumed by many Asians can be the reason why cancer and heart disease are not that prevalent in the region despite the fact that Asia has a higher rate of cigarette smokers.

Help You Lose Excess Weight

If you wish to lose those excess pounds without resorting into diet pills, a daily cup of green tea may help. This is because some claim that green tea can actually help you burn more calories. According to a Swiss study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, male participants who were asked to consume a mixture of green tea extract and caffeine lost more calories compared to those who were only given a placebo or caffeine.

Lower Bad Cholesterol

Green tea is known to contain EGCG, a strong anti-oxidant that can effectively lower bad cholesterol levels. University of Kansas researchers have found proof that EGCG is a more potent polyphenol compared to resveratrol – the ingredient that makes red wine an unusually healthy drink. As a potent polyphenol, EGCG can actually lessen the bad effects of a diet rich in fats.

Reduce Inflammation

Another health benefit of green tea is its anti-inflammatory property. This is why some believe that green tea in the form of creams or ointments can help remove acne. Because green tea contains high levels of polyphenols, medications mainly consisting of this substance can kill bacteria, reducing skin inflammation that may be due to the presence of the pimple-causing bacteria. As a result, there are now many herbal shops and stores that sell green tea-based skincare products.

Compared to other types of herbal tea, green tea is said to contain more powerful antioxidants and polyphenols. This is because green tea leaves do not undergo much oxidation, keeping the polyphenols intact and potent. Considered as a true type of tea, the popularity of green tea and its various benefits on your health continues to invade health and beauty shops as seen in the various products that contain green tea extracts.