Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, consumed by hundreds of millions of people in countries spanning the globe. Now studies suggest that there are health benefits to drinking tea, particularly green tea, for fighting heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Fights Free Radicals
Green tea has a high concentration of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These antioxidants find and fight free radicals, harmful compounds that change cell makeup and DNA. Although free radicals occur naturally, they are made worse by toxins like pollution, radiation and cigarette smoke. Researchers believe that these little agents may be behind health problems like cancer and heart disease, and contribute to the aging process. Polyphenols, like those found in green tea, can fight free radicals and slow down or prevent their damage.
Fights Heart Disease
Population-based studies have shown that the antioxidants in green tea may help prevent coronary artery disease and both lower total cholesterol and raise HDL or "good" cholesterol, according to the UMMC. Researchers aren't sure how green tea works to reduce cholesterol levels but they do estimate that rate of heart attack decreases by 11 percent in people who consume three cups of tea per day. However, the Food and Drug Administration has said there is no credible evidence to claims that green tea or its extract can fight heart disease.
Fights Cancer
Some clinical studies have shown that the polyphenols in green tea may help fight cancer, according to the UMMC. Scientists theorize that the antioxidants seek out and kill cancerous cells, stopping their progression. Research has been done in the areas of breast, bladder, esophageal, lung, pancreatic, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers. Although some link has been established between consuming tea and reducing the risk for these cancers, definitive research has not yet been published.
Aids Weight Loss
Green tea is rich in polyphenols called catechins. Catechins have proven to be more powerful than vitamins C and E in fighting free radicals' damaging properties and researchers speculate that that they have some fat-burning effects, according to Harvard Health Publications. Green tea's ability to help burn fat and boost metabolism can help in weight loss.
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