Green tea acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body. It helps repair damage to your cells caused by free radicals, such as pollutants from smoke and harm from ultraviolet rays. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that green tea may help reduce the risk of diseases associated with free radicals. Population-based clinical studies have shown that green tea may help protect against cancer. Green tea can also provide daily attributes to your energy and may aid in weight loss, although the effects cannot be guaranteed and vary per person.
History
The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that archeological studies suggest that humans consumed tea leaves in liquid form as many as 5,000 years ago. Botanical evidence shows that the Chinese and Indian cultures were among the earliest to cultivate tea. Tea is now the most widely consumed liquid on earth, while water is the runner-up. According to MedlinePlus, green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea is commonly produced in liquid form or as a supplemental extract in pill form. Green tea is used as a natural medicine to improve mental alertness and thinking.
Weight Loss
Green tea provides your body with caffeine, which can help speed up your metabolic rate and lead to improved weight loss and management. Green tea has been shown to aid in the regulation of blood sugar and insulin in your body. If your insulin levels are balanced, your body will not store fat as easily. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that a clinical study concluded that the combination of green tea and caffeine enhanced weight loss in overweight and moderately obese people. Researches have found that the polyphenols and catechins in green tea are the primary contributors to the herb's fat-burning effect.
Energy
Green tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine, which can improve and sustain physical and mental energy. The Mayo Clinic states that 1 cup of green tea contains approximately 50 mg of caffeine and 80 to 100 mg of polyphenol content. This is dependent upon the size of the cup and the potency of the tea. The University of Maryland states that the more the leaves are fermented, the higher the caffeine content is in green tea. If you drink a cup of green tea in the morning, you may notice an extra amount of energy throughout the day. You also provide your body with antioxidants, which help prevent damage from free radicals taking place outside and inside of your body. Fighting free radicals will improve your health, which helps sustain your natural energy throughout your life.
Expert Insight
The Journal of Nutrition reported a study that evaluated the influence of a green tea beverage on fat distribution in overweight adults during exercise-induced weight loss. The study concluded that "green tea catechin consumption enhances exercise-induced changes in abdominal fat." MedlinePlus says that green tea may aid in weight loss; however, there is insufficient evidence that green tea helps keep weight off.
Warning
Consult your health care practitioner before adding green tea to your diet. Talk to your doctor about other medications you are taking, because green tea can interact poorly with certain medicines. Your body has to break down the caffeine in green tea, which can interfere with breakdown and absorption of your current supplements and medications. If you consume coffee, energy drinks or other highly caffeinated substances on a regular basis, adding green tea may lead to an excessive amount of caffeine in your body.
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