Green Tea
What is Green Tea?
Green Tea is one of the most popular types of tea in the world. It is made from Camellia sinensis leaves. Unlike other types of tea, Green Tea discourages oxidation. There are many varieties of Green Tea, such as sencha, matcha, hojicha etc. Studies have shown that Green Tea is one of the most healthy teas available.
History of Green Tea
Green Tea first originated in China all the way back in 2737 B.C. It was accidentally discovered by the Chinese Emperor when he drank water that contained a boiled leaf in it, where he found the taste invigorating. After that incident, Green Tea was created and mainly only available to the higher class Chinese society. It was very expensive back then until it became more accessible to the public later in the 14th century.
Benefits of Green Tea
Some of the main health benefits of Green Tea include:
- Healthy Bio-active compounds - these natural and healthy compounds can help with reducing inflammation and potentiallyfight against cancer.
- Improve Brain Function - Caffeine acts as a stimulant to increase dopamine and norepinephrine, which can improve certain aspects of brain functions such as mood, memory, reaction time etc.
- Protects the Brain from Aging - the bio-active compounds reduces the risks of dementia in older adults.
- Burns Fat - Research shows that Green Tea boosts metabolism and increases fat burning in the short term.
- Reduce Bad Breath - the catechins have beneficial effects on oral health by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
- Lowers the chance of type 2 diabetes - Studies shows that the consumption of green tea reduces blood sugar levels, which in turn lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.
How Much Caffeine is in Green Tea?
Caffeine generally takes up around 2-4% of Green Tea which is fairly low compared with coffee. The specific amount depends on the type of green tea and how it was made. An 8 ounce cup of green tea usually contains 20-50mg of caffeine.
How Much Green Tea Should I Drink?
The optimal amount of Green Tea to consume per day would be around 3-5 cups to maximize the health benefits. It is not recommended to drink any more than that, but in general, the benefits of Green Tea outweighs the risks. Studies and research have shown that regularly drinking Green Tea can greatly improve your health.