Health Benefits of Green Tea

by Marissa Willman

Overview

Green tea has been a staple of Chinese diets for centuries due to its various health benefits and medicinal properties. While there are various forms of tea that are closely related, green tea is unique because it is not fermented. Since the tea leaves are steamed and not dried out, the antioxidants in the tea are nearly untouched. These antioxidants promote a healthy immune system and prevent various types of cancers from forming or spreading.
Antioxidant

Green tea is rich in the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. Green tea detoxifies the blood of free radicals and other harmful substances.

Cancer Prevention

The antioxidant properties of green tea prevent cancer cells from growing or multiplying. EGCG is also able to kill cancerous cells.
Weight Loss

Green tea burns extra calories by boosting the metabolism, preventing fat cells from storing glucose, regulating blood sugar levels and reducing appetite.
Low Cholesterol

Regular green tea consumption leads to overall healthy levels of cholesterol by lowering levels of LDL, or bad, cholesterol. It also increases the levels of HDL, or good, cholesterol.
Healthy Heart

Green tea helps prevent blood clots from forming, which prevents the occurrence of a stroke or heart attack. Japanese research has also shown that green tea may prevent coronary artery disease.

References & Resources