You’ve probably heard that drinking green tea is a healthier alternative to coffee. In fact, there’s actually a lot of great reason to make green tea your regular drink. It happens to contain various healthy properties that help you fight disease, improve the health of your immune system and possibly even keep you looking more youthful as well. So the next time you find yourself getting ready to make yourself or order a cup of coffee, consider these 5 big reasons to drink green tea instead.
Top 5 Health Benefits of Green Tea
Increases Metabolism and Burns Fat
Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a powerful plant nutrient responsible for green tea being classified as a superfood. EGCG helps to increase your metabolism, enabling you to burn fat more quickly throughout the day. Belly fat is particularly susceptible to EGCG’s fat burning properties.
Green Tea Fights Against Cancer
The amount of EGCG found in green tea also makes it effective in fighting cancer, particularly breast cancer. The risks of lung cancer and colon cancer are also reduced. Additionally drinking green tea consistently exhibits a reduction in the symptoms for a person who is afflicted with cancer. It is also one of the healthy foods that can be attributed to Japan’s low cancer rate.
Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Green tea helps to break down cholesterol, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other maladies affecting the heart. Drinking 5-7 cups per day can result in a 75 percent reduction in the risk of heart disease. However, research also states that drinking green tea in excess should not be done by those who already suffer from heart disease or cardiovascular problems.
Improves the Look and Health of Your Skin
EGCG is more effective than Vitamin E in destroying free radicals that damage skin. 200 times more powerful, in fact. The powerful nutrient, along with other antioxidants found in green tea also help protect the skin against damage from UV light, ultimately serving to reduce wrinkles and improve the look of your skin.
Improves Your Overall Health
In addition to helping improve skin health, EGCG and the antioxidants in green tea help to improve your overall health. It reduces the risk of many different diseases, including diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Else…
Drinking green tea regularly also serves to improve energy by balancing sugar levels. It also curbs cravings for other foods that are not as healthy. What’s more, it fights against the bacteria that can cause plaque and gum disease.
And if all that isn’t enough to convince you to drink more green tea, consider the words of Christopher Ochner, PhD, a research scientist in nutrition at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. He says, “It’s the healthiest thing I can think of to drink.” Learn how to brew a perfect cup of tea as well!
