Surely you’ve heard about how good green tea is for our health, but do you really know what the properties and benefits of green tea are? This plant has been used for centuries, but its results continue to surprise. From its slimming properties as well as its health benefits, green tea is an ideal complement to take care of our body!
If you want to know everything about this plant, here we give you the information you need! Properties, benefits and much more!
What is green tea?
This plant, also known as Camellia sinensis and originally from China, has been used for centuries since it helps our brain and our body in general. Green tea is a natural way of taking care of our body, so it is not uncommon to hear about the benefits of green tea.
Like red tea, this drink has a host of properties that help take care of our body. This therapeutic plant is very popular, not only for its benefits but for its pleasant aroma and its rich flavor.
Green tea comes from the same plant as normal tea but is processed in a different way. In this case, the leaves are not fermented but are left to dry or steam, which does not lose their antioxidant properties or polyphenols.
Properties of green tea
To understand all the benefits of green tea, you have to know all the properties that make it unique. Its components make it a very popular therapeutic plant and its nutrients have endless benefits for our health!
The vitamins
This plant is rich in vitamin C and E, which makes it have great natural antioxidant properties. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 and B3, which help keep our body in shape.
Isoflavones and catechins
This component prevents cellular aging, both of our organs and of our skin. The flavonoids also add intensity to the flavor of this tea, making it so characteristic.
Alkaloids
That this drink contains alkaloids makes it act as a stimulant, providing that extra energy we need to endure all day. In addition, your doses of caffeine make it a better option than coffee.
Polyphenols
Polyphenols fulfill an essential function when carrying out digestion. In addition, this substance causes the drink to have its characteristic bitter and astringent taste. The polyphenols present in this plant are the following: catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate and pro-anthocyanidins.
Benefits of green tea
The benefits of green tea, as well as its properties, have been known for centuries.
But do you know everything you can get by drinking a cup of tea a day? We tell you all its benefits so you can put it into practice!
Improves brain function
The caffeine in green tea helps us to have that extra energy, but without getting nervous and out of control. Caffeine blocks a transmitter known as adenosine, thereby increasing the activity of neurons and the concentration of dopamine and norepinephrine.
In addition, caffeine improves our mood, concentration, memory and reaction time. Combined with the antianxiety effect exerted by L-theanine, this plant becomes our great ally if we need an extra help to finish any job! In general, it is more productive to drink green tea than coffee, since your dose of caffeine is much more controlled.
Lose weight
By increasing metabolism, it helps to lose fats faster. Also, avoid fluid retention.
Green tea is a good complement to lose weight, so it is increasingly common to see it in slimming products. In addition, it reduces the “bad” cholesterol and increases the levels of “good” cholesterol.
Anti-aging
Its antioxidant properties help control body deterioration since it neutralizes free radicals. Drinking green tea will help reduce and combat the signs of aging in an effective and natural way. For this same reason, it is a component increasingly used in the field of cosmetics.
Help the immune system
This plant helps to improve the resistance of our immune system since it prevents bacteria and viruses from adhering to cell walls and infecting them. In addition, it counteracts the toxins that eliminate microbes, so it protects against many bacterial diseases.
Helps tone
Its astringent properties help tone muscles and skin, it even helps hold the teeth if we rinse ourselves daily with green tea!
This property also helps the hair, which grows much stronger.
Improves heart health
Green tea helps the lining of blood vessels, controlling changes that may occur in blood pressure. Also, avoid clots, the main cause of a heart attack.
What does the green tea works for?
The benefits of green tea have made it used in many fields, from medicine to slimming.
Next, we show you all the uses you can give to this wonderful plant!
In medicine
Green tea improves blood circulation and maintains the elasticity of the arteries, thus preventing possible collapses or alterations in tension. Although it is generally believed to have great anti-cancer properties, this is not proven and it is better not to believe it.
Even so, it is true that it is a good plant for the digestive system since it acts as a depurative and eliminates toxins. It also acts as a laxative, preventing the accumulation of gas and those annoying stomach pains. It should be noted the benefits of green tea for the liver and liver problems, as it helps regulate fat levels.
To lose weight
Its thermogenic properties make this plant ideal for losing body fat. In addition, its diuretic effect prevents fluid retention. Even so, we must remember that it acts as a complement and it will do us no good to drink green tea if you do not carry out a healthy diet and a certain daily exercise.
Also, if you are looking for a tea to lose weight, it is always better to opt for the thermogenic properties of red tea.
To stimulate
The green tea alkaloids act as stimulants, making this plant a good substitute for coffee. When activating the organism, it is very useful to consume it before doing sports. In addition, it helps maintain concentration.
It must be taken into account that it is a stimulant, so it is not convenient to drink it before going to sleep since the alkaloids act directly in the nervous system.
For oral health
This tea, due to its composition, helps prevent the onset of tooth decay, making our teeth look much healthier.
For skin and hair
Many beauty products contain green tea extract since its antioxidant properties and its vitamins help fight wrinkles. In addition, it can also be applied to the hair to strengthen it and take care of it.
For acne problems
It is convenient to use green tea masks to control the acne of puberty. If combined with almond oil or rosehip, the result will be a much healthier skin with less sebum secretion.
For stress
Despite being a stimulant, the amino acid L-theanine it contains helps reduces stress. In addition, controls free radicals, something essential to combat stress.
How to drink green tea?
Although we can think that the simplest way to drink green tea is through an infusion, in the market, you can find other ways that can be very useful.
Next, we explain what they are!
Capsules
Although with them you cannot enjoy the wonderful taste of green tea, they are very useful if you are in a hurry. In addition, it is very easy to find these capsules in pharmacies, herbalists and also through the internet.
The infusions
As we said, this is the most common way. It is the most complete way to enjoy green tea since we will obtain its properties but also a pleasant taste and smell.
In addition, you can consume both cold and hot and add a complement such as cinnamon, lemon or mint, which will make your experience even better.
Powdered
Currently, it is widely used to enhance the taste of certain foods.
In oil
The essential oil of green tea is a bit expensive, but it has endless benefits for our skin, especially when it comes to hydrating and reducing wrinkles.
Contraindications of green tea
Although there are more benefits of green tea than its side effects, it is important to know in order to prevent them.
These contraindications are especially related to the caffeine contained in this drink, so it is not convenient to consume it in the following cases:
- In people with hypertension
- In very nervous people
- Do not consume before sleeping
- In the case of tachycardia
- During breastfeeding or pregnancy
Although in these cases you have to moderate your consumption, it does not mean you cannot drink green tea once in a while.