Scientists are constantly discovering new possible benefits of green tea. The impressive benefits of diet green tea might be a result of the fact that diet green tea is less processed than black tea. Green tea appears to have the potential for many health benefits without great risk of serious side effects, but there is not enough evidence to draw definite conclusions.
Cancer
Diet green tea is a source of the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This polyphenol uses its antioxidant properties to protect against DNA damage. Also, EGCG blocks angiogenesis, which is the growth of blood vessels. Blocking angiogenesis means starving tumor cells so they cannot grow. These effects of EGCG combine to have the strong potential to lower the risk of some cancers, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. However, these effects are still theoretical and not proven.
Heart Disease
The benefits of EGCG also apply to the cardiovascular system. This compound is associated with lower levels of bad LDL cholesterol. Diet green tea also might help control blood pressure because EGCG is a vasodilator. This means that EGCG allows your blood vessels to become wider and lower your blood pressure. Lower blood pressure and LDL both mean a lower risk of heart disease, says the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. It is important to remember that these benefits of EGCG are not proven, and so EGCG does not necessarily lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Weight Control
Because diet green tea has no sugar and almost no calories, you can drink as much as you want without gaining weight. Beyond this, diet green boosts metabolism to burn more calories. This effect comes from its caffeine, which increases your metabolism. It appears that EGCG decreases appetite, too. However, there are many other factors to consider, and the research is still sorting out the effects of EGCG.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Some research even suggests that green tea protects against rheumatoid arthritis. The polyphenols in diet green tea have anti-inflammatory properties, and studies have shown that drinking tea lowers body inflammation. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is inflammation. Preventing inflammation by drinking green tea might help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, but the studies are not yet definitive.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Mouse Study Shows Green Tea Polyphenols May Repair DNA Damage Caused by UV Radiation
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Green Tea Polyphenol Combats Health Effects of High Fat Diet
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine:Green Tea May Help Protect Against Rheumatoid Arthritis
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