Derived from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, green tea contains powerful antioxidants called catechins, which are responsible for most of green tea's health effects. Research indicates that green tea offers a wide range of health benefits, from boosting periodontal health to increasing muscle recovery.
Improves Periodontal Health
In a 2009 study led by Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki, which was published in the "Journal of Periodontology," researchers examined the relationship between green tea consumption and periodontal health. Scientists discovered that those who regularly drank green tea decreased their risk of periodontal pocket depth, bleeding on probing and clinical attachment loss -- all three indicators of periodontal disease. Green tea's ability to improve periodontal health is attributed to its high level of catechins, which reduce the inflammation associated with periodontal bacteria.
Increases Bone Health
The "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" records the findings by Ping Chung Leung, leader of a team of researchers who studied the impact of green tea on bone health. These scientists exposed osteoblasts, which are new bone-forming cells, to the following three main green tea catechins: gallocatechin gallate, gallocatechin and epigallocatechin. They found that epigallocatechin improves bone metabolism through three mechanisms. First, it increases the activity of an enzyme that is responsible for bone growth. Second, epigallocatechin boosts bone mineralization, which strengthens bones. Finally, epigallocatechin decreases the activity of osteoclasts, which are cells that break down bones.
Reduces Muscle Damage
Green tea may be good for your muscles. In a study published in the May 2008 issue of the journal "Nutrition," Vilma Simoes Pereira Panza and colleagues investigated the effects of green tea consumption on exercise-induced muscle damage. Subjects received either water or green tea for seven days. After the seven-day period, both groups performed resistance exercises. Scientists observed that the green tea group had less muscle damage after exercise compared to those who drank only water. Green tea's antioxidant properties are the reason behind the results, according to researchers.
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