Green Tea is originated from China and is extensively cultivated in Asia and certain Central African countries. The tea has since become so popular in the western countries and is nearly classified as a super food. Why? Well it possesses a natural compound known as Catechins, found in high concentrations in several plant products
Catechins found in Green Tea are responsible for many of its incredible benefits
• Green tea contributes to oral hygiene in several ways. It contributes to a reduction in dental plaque and helps protect the teeth and gums with its content of fluoride and tannins.
• The consumption of green tea helps to support the body’s natural defences against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Catechins have been found to help protect the health of female breasts and of our reproductive organs (ovaries, prostate).
• Catechins contribute to normalising cholesterol levels and help to maintain healthy heart function. This can help when consumed as part of healthy balanced lifestyle and varied diet.
• Green tea’s relationship with weight management has been cropping up in the news lately and there is a greater interest in its potential use! Of course, we cannot solely rely on this when attempting to lose weight. A change in lifestyle, nutrition and diet are also important. Catechins properties include fat metabolism (break down of fat cells) and a rise in metabolic rate (helping us to convert food consumed to energy at a higher rate instead of being accumulated in fat cells)
• Contribute to the healthy ageing of the skin. This is because Catechins help maintain intact cell DNA when exposed to UV sunlight. Green tea also showed other positive results on the skin. A randomised, twelve week study done on 60 participants, compared the daily consumption of a litre of Green Tea to placebo. In those who consumed the Green Tea, they found a decrease in volume, roughness and scaling of the skin but also an increase in skin hydration and skin density. Applying sun protection cream is still required though !
• Catechins in Green Tea are involved with the metabolism of glucose in the body. It is important for our blood glucose levels to remain stable for several health reasons. When they are too high, we can be at risk of suffering from diabetes or raised inflammation levels in the body. High inflammation levels can lead to changes in blood pressure and kidney health to name a few.
• Help protect the eyes from oxidative stress, caused by harmful radicals. Research shows that the components of the eye (retina, cornea, lens and other eye tissues) absorb the protective effects from Green Tea. Another study showed that Catechins protected against UV light, This suggests its important role besides other factors, in maintaining healthy eyes and vision.
You may benefit from the properties of Green Tea, through the consumption of the tea itself, but also through its extracts used in supplements.
References
Heinrich U et al. Green tea Polyphenols Provide Photoprotection, Increase Microcirculation, and Modulate Skin Properties of Women. J Nutr 2011; 141: 1202-8. doi: 10.3945/jn.110.136465
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