Green tea is a frequent visitor to a few of my articles, and for good reason. There are so many benefits to drinking it! Whether you start your mornings with a warm cup or have it on occasion for an afternoon pick-me-up, green tea is an excellent choice. This is due to the high level of antioxidants that it has, leading to many health benefits. For a breakdown on 5 of the major benefits of green tea, keep reading below. Even better, grab a cup of green tea and then start reading!
1. Anti-Inflammatory
If you experience achey joints or poor gut health, this may be a result of inflammation within your body. Luckily, green tea has compounds called polyphenols. Within scientific studies, the strong anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols have been shown to decrease symptoms of inflammatory illnesses such as arthritis.
2. Healthy Skin
A popular one among green tea benefits is healthy skin. Not only does green tea have antioxidants to make your skin glow, but it can also repair your skin. Drinking green tea has been shown to repair skin from UV damage. However, these properties do not only come from consumption. You can also apply green tea bags directly to your skin topically to fight both acne and wrinkles! Just make sure to let the tea bag cool down first.
3. Relaxing Yet Stimulating
If you struggle with anxiety, caffeine is not always your friend. But, green tea releases less caffeine more slowly than other caffeinated drinks like coffee. This slow release decreases symptoms of anxiety as it is not as “jolting” to your body.As a result, you experience a more steady increase in energy. Additionally, green tea has the amino acid L-theanine which actually sends a signal to your brain to feel relaxed. If you are looking to feel energetic but in a peaceful way, try a cup of green tea!
4. Preventative Power
Green tea is full of compounds called phytochemicals which are found in plants. Phytochemicals can act as antioxidants and protect health in various ways. As a few examples, phytochemicals have been linked to a decrease in cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body fat. Some have even been linked to cancer-fighting properties as well.
5. Immune System Boosting
Green tea is so strong in its immune system boosting properties, that it is listed as one of four Best Foods to Fight a Cold. This is because green tea fights against free radicals within your body that can lead to sickness. Once again, this results from the amazing antioxidants and polyphenols it has.
Sources:
https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19546028/benefits-of-green-tea/
https://www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis-green-tea#green-tea