The Benefits of Green Tea

There’s no denying that most people across the globe enjoy a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. However, more and more people are making the switch to green tea for their daily dose of caffeine; tea is now the most consumed beverage in the world after water! This shift is due to emerging research regarding the health benefits of green tea. The healing powers of green tea are so strong that doctors and researchers are raving about it: “It’s the healthiest thing I can think of to drink,” says Dr. Christopher Ochner, a research scientist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Native to India and China, green tea has been consumed for its health benefits for centuries in other parts of the world but has only recently gained traction in the United States. All teas, except herbal teas, are brewed from dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. What differentiates green tea from others is the processing: it is made with unoxidized leaves and put through less processing, so it maintains more of its natural nutrients.

Green tea has been shown to have the highest levels of antioxidants and polyphenols – plant-based chemicals with extraordinary health benefits. Here at Office H2O, our first priority is helping our clients and their loved ones live happier, healthier lifestyles, so we’ve compiled this guide of the benefits of green tea to help convince you to make the switch today!

Bioactive Compounds

The health benefits of green tea extend far beyond just hydration. Because of how it is processed into tea, green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols – natural compounds that boost your health.

Polyphenols are known to reduce inflammation, which can delay aging. The compound also protects cells from damage that can lead to a variety of different chronic illnesses. Green tea also contains a catechin antioxidant called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a strong antibacterial and antiviral compound. EGCG is one of the most powerful healing compounds in green tea, contributing to the protection of cells and molecules in your body from damage.

EGCG has also been proven to be effective in treating many diseases ranging from the flu to cancer. The bioactive compounds you ingest when you drink green tea can strongly boost your health and ability to fight off diseases.

Improved Brain Function

The key active ingredient in green tea is caffeine, a known stimulant and the reason many people drink coffee and sodas. However, the caffeine in green tea does more than keep you awake; it also helps improve your brain function. When you drink green tea, the caffeine you ingest blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain called adenosine. With the effects of adenosine blocked, your brain is able to increase concentrations of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine while also increasing their firing. This process can improve your mood, reaction time, memory, and vigilance.

Green tea includes another brain-boosting compound: an amino acid called L-theanine. L-theanine increases the effects and activity of GABA, another inhibitory neurotransmitter which has anti-anxiety effects. When you ingest L-theanine from green tea, it works on GABA in your brain to produce a calming effect.

Studies have shown that L-theanine has a collaborative effect with caffeine in improving brain function. The two compounds work together in your brain to optimize cognitive performance and working memory while also elevating your mood. A cup of green tea in the morning will not only make you more productive, but it will also boost your happiness throughout the day!

Cardiovascular Disease

For many years, the leading cause of death worldwide has been cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. Much research has emerged showing that green tea has positive effects on your body that may protect you from cardiovascular disease.

A 2013 review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that regular unsweetened green tea drinkers are significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular issues later in life due to the beverage’s antioxidants. Other studies have shown this likely happens because green tea can reduce the amount of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in your body. A 2011 analysis of published studies found that consuming green tea protects your heart by significantly reducing both total and LDL cholesterol.

Green tea has also been shown to increase the antioxidant capacity of your blood, thereby preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a process that triggers a butterfly effect leading to artery hardening and eventually heart disease. Increasing the antioxidant capacity of blood can also reduce clotting. Given all of this research, it’s not surprising that regular green tea drinkers have a 31% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases!

Office H2O

If you’re ready to make the switch to green tea, you’ll need safe, clean drinking water to brew it! Office H2O is proud to offer a variety of bottleless water cooler systems that are perfect for your home or office. To browse our products, visit our website today!

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