The many health benefits of drinking green tea

Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. However, 78 per cent of the tea consumed worldwide is black and only about 20 per cent is green. Green tea is one of the least processed types of tea, therefore containing the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.

Here are some of its many health benefits:

1. Cancer prevention

According to the National Cancer Institute, the polyphenols in tea have been shown to decrease tumour growth in laboratory and animal studies and may protect against damage caused by ultraviolet UVB radiation. Researchers believe that it is the high level of polyphenols in tea that helps kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing.

2. Heart benefits

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality due to all causes, including cardiovascular disease.

3. Lowering cholesterol

An analysis of published studies in 2011 found that consuming green tea, either as a beverage or in capsule form, was linked to significant but modest reductions in total and LDL or “bad” cholesterol. For information on lowering cholesterol naturally, see Dr Cabot’s book ‘Cholesterol – The Real Truth’.

4. Treating inflammatory skin disorders

A 2007 study concluded that green tea could hold promise as a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff.

5. Memory enhancement

Research published in the journal Psychopharmacology suggests that green tea can enhance our brain’s cognitive functions, particularly the working memory. Tyrosine is an amino acid that stimulates the neurotransmitters involved in memory and concentration.

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