Over the last few years, green tea has becoming more and more popular refreshing drink and natural remedy all around the world. It seems people are getting completely euphoric when speaking of miraculous properties of green tea, not minding at all that this healthy and soothing beverage could actually have negative side effects, if not consumed in a proper way. It is less known green tea posses the very same properties as a regular black coffee, due to its caffeine content.
Besides numerous valuable and useful nutrients, green tea provides our body with, it works the same way as coffee. It also affects our stress hormones level, keeping us awake and blocking normal absorption of important substances in our organism, just as coffee does. Therefore, green tea should be taken with caution. It is beneficial and very healthy, but only if used in moderation.
What does green tea contain?
Green tea contains more than three hundred enlisted compounds, of which the best known is, of course, caffeine; about 30 mg in one cup of tea. Besides caffeine, green tea contains other types of xanthine alkaloids, such as theophylline, theobromine, dimethylxanthine, adenine.
Green tea also contains B group vitamins, ascorbic acid, essential oils, protein, chlorophyll, organic acids and amino acids. There is no doubt green tea’s incredible range of various nutrients could be beneficial and useful to our health. However, just as the case is with any of natural products we consider good for our bodies, it is beneficial only in moderate amounts. Otherwise, it could do us harm.
One teacup contains about 30 to 100 mg of caffeine and about 300 to 400 mg of polyphenols. It has amazing antioxidant properties. It is known green tea has even anti-cancerogenic properties, fighting the urokinase enzyme. This particular enzyme feeds the cancerogenic cells in our body and promotes cancer development; green tea’s active substances successfully block its function.
On the other hand, green tea improves functions of useful enzymes. It helps our body get rid of toxic material and improves our digestive system functions, helps our liver, lungs and small intestine to do their regular processes. Many scientific researches have shown green tea is good for treatment and prevention of various serious diseases and conditions. It helps in managing Crohn’s disease, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol level and high triglyceride level. All in all, it boosts our immune system and helps our body stay in good condition.
Caffeine concern
However, green tea is not an elixir of life, especially if you don’t manage the intake and drink a lot of it. It contains large amounts of pure caffeine, just as the coffee does. Due to its caffeine level, green tea could even be harmful, especially to children and sensitive individuals. Studies have reported people who regularly had green tea, even according to their physician’s advices, were much more prone to anemia. High caffeine level in green tea causes our red blood cells to lose their normal quality.
People are often wrong when thinking green tea is far more healthy than coffee. It is true it has amazing properties, but it has the same undesirable side effects. An amount of caffeine from one cup of coffee remains in our organism for 72 hours and the same is with green tea. It greatly affects our heart functions, raising the level of hormones such as cortisol and adrenalin. We may think it is much better option to have cups and cups of green tea instead of coffee, when we work and need to stay awake and focused, but the effect is the same. Just one cup of coffee or green tea could cause heart functions abnormalities for a period of three hours. That is considerable a period of time for our heart to work improperly.
People who belong to any of risk groups, such as pregnant women, people who suffer from anemia, high blood pressure and heart rate abnormalities, should completely avoid green tea, because of its high caffeine level and the consequences of it. An average healthy adult could have green tea and experience the best of it, if the amount is restricted and the tea prepared in a proper way.
How to use green tea properly?
The best way to prepare green tea is to pour 2 dl of boiled water over one teaspoon of green tea leaves. You could also use commercial filter bags. The average daily dose of green tea contains 300 to 400 mg polyphenols, which are the most important active compounds found in green tea. One cup of tea contains from 50 to 200 mg. Hot tea should be left to stay for about two to five minutes before drinking. It should be consumed unsweetened.
Otherwise, it will lose some of its healthy properties.
There are also useful green tea supplements that could be added to your regular diet. You could purchase it in capsules and tablets, as an extract or a spice for dishes etc. There is also specially designed green tea without caffeine, for individuals extremely sensitive to caffeine effects.
Benefits of green tea
Green tea is highly valued these days, especially amongst wellness lifestyle gurus and in terms of naturally based diet and healing. It has numerous health benefits, but only if taken in a proper way and in moderate amounts.
Always make sure if you are particularly sensitive to any of green tea’s compounds, especially caffeine. Don’t neglect its caffeine level; it can also be useful to some point, but mind the amounts. Here are some of the best known proven green tea benefits and uses.
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Green tea as a stimulant drink
Green tea could replace coffee, due to the similar caffeine level and addition of numerous valuable nutrients. There are many who would say green tea is far better option than coffee or energy drinks. It would keep you awake, concentrated and focused, without extra calories. The caffeine in green tea comes from natural source. If you drink it unsweetened, you would experience its other benefits and stay in a good mood. However, moderation is the key to success. Don’t drink it too much, because otherwise it would make you feel nervous, anxious and so on. It would badly affect your heart functions and cause you undesirable health issues.
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Green tea for good cardiovascular health
If taken in right amounts, green tea could help you fight and prevent various heart health issues. It reduces risk of heart diseases. Due to its antioxidant properties, green tea is a powerful natural remedy for high blood pressure and high cholesterol level. It is proven green tea could reduce the level of bad cholesterol and increase the good one. It also helps normal blood flow and prevents the formation of blood clots. It is of an essential importance for normal heart functions, especially in older population.
Green tea could also help in reduction of unhealthy sugar level in humans’ blood. It is important for prevention from serious diseases and conditions, such as obesity and diabetes. Thanks to its catechin content, green tea helps in maintaining the healthy level of glucose in blood. Reducing sugar levels, green tea not only keeps you fit, but reduces risk of dangerous health conditions.
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Green tea weight loss role
You’ve probably heard green tea is good for losing some undesired pounds. While some people claim green tea could work as a magical potion for weight loss, it is not entirely true. You need to change your eating habits and get used to a healthier daily routine, of course. Green tea could help you maintain those habits and lose more weight, in a healthy way.
Compounds in green tea boost our metabolism and help our body get rid of unnecessary material. It has powerful diuretic properties, meaning it helps our body lose the amount of fluid that is not necessary for normal functions. You should mind the amounts, of course, because you do not want to lose the more water than needed. If you take it in recommended amounts, you could be surprised how much better you look and feel without all that extrawater in your body.
Green tea also supports your physical activity level. Due to catechin enzyme content, green tea boosts your muscle strength and helps your body burn fats for energy. That way, your muscles will be able to withstand greater efforts during workout. It means you’ll be able to burn more calories, without affecting your muscle tissues, if you have some extra pounds.
Since it helps your muscles get easier recovered, you would have less difficulty to build up your pure muscle mass and lose fats. This information should always be taken with caution. Please get full insight in your current body condition, before excessive workouts and such. Use green tea as a healthy addition to well balanced diet and workout plan.
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Green tea as a prevention
Green tea is not an almighty cure for our body, but it could greatly contribute to our overall health and reduce risk of various dangerous conditions and diseases. It is proven green tea’s compounds are powerful fighters against harmful and dangerous free radicals that are the main responsible for cancer development. It is also good for maintaining our mental health, especially in old people. Green tea compounds help our brain cells keep vital and of normal functions, thus preventing memory loss and other aging complications.
Recent studies have shown green tea could be a successful addition to treatment of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. It also keeps our skin elastic, vital and hydrated, slowing the aging side effects. It is very good for our skin condition, reducing redness and protecting it from harmful UV radiation.
