Tea has been consumed as medicine for centuries in countries like China, Japan and India. Green tea, in particular, has become a popular health drink. Its extracts can be found in several weight loss supplements, beauty products and smoothies. The reason this drink has gained such popularity? Let’s just say it’s not all about taste.
Green tea has been suggested to:
- Improve brain function
- Relieve digestive symptoms & headaches
- Promote fat loss
- Decrease the risk of diseases, such as cancer and heart disease
What makes green tea special?
Green tea, black tea and oolong tea are all made from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference is in the method of processing. Green tea leaves are steamed immediately after harvesting to prevent fermentation. The steaming process prevents the breakdown of the color pigments in the leaves. Therefore, they retain their natural green shade during the rolling and drying processes.
The process also preserves polyphenols in the leaves that are responsible for its health promoting capabilities. As the tea is fermented to oolong, and eventually black tea, the polyphenols are broken down changing the biological activity.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Improve Brain Function
Green tea is more than a tasty beverage, it can help you stay awake and alert much to the chagrin of two main components: caffeine and L-theanine.
Ah, caffeine. Our beloved morning friend, that helps us get the day going. Caffeine increases energy by decreasing the activity of an inhibitory molecule called adenosine in the brain. This inhibition increases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and GABA. Resulting in improved mood, memory, reaction time and attentiveness.
If you find that coffee makes you feel jittery, you are in luck! Switching out your morning Cup o’ Joe for green tea provides you with a lower dose of caffeine. Allowing you to enjoy a warm beverage without the fidgety side-effects.
L-theanine is an amino acid that may affect levels of chemical in the brain including dopamine, serotonin and GABA.
Increased activity of GABA, has been shown to have anti-anxiety effects. Meanwhile, dopamine and serotonin can improve mood, cognitive performance and mental focus.
L-theanine and caffeine have also been suggested to work in a synergistic relationship. Combining forces to improve energy, brain function and provide mental clarity.
Improving digestive dysfunction
Green tea does more than improve your brain function, it helps your gut bacteria as well!
The antioxidant rich beverage promotes digestion while reducing oxidative stress in the body.
Current research suggests that green tea alleviates some symptoms of gut dysbiosis by promoting the growth of “good” gut bacteria. Improving the balance of your gut microbiome can have a myriad of benefits. A few benefits include proper functioning of the immune system, controlled blood sugar and helps promote weight loss.
Additionally, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the many catechins found in green tea, has demonstrated an inverse relationship with colon and stomach cancer. Research proposed by the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine indicate that EGCG hampers the pathways that causes inflammation in the digestive tract linked to colitis, IBS and Crohn’s disease. Though more research must be completed, initial findings are promising.
The anti-oxidant rich nature of green tea promotes healthy digestion and gut bacteria balance that promote health, while specific component help mitigate the risks of cancer and digestive dysfunction.
Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease
Benefiting your brain and your digestive tract may just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to green tea. Some studies suggest that green tea may decrease your risk of heart disease.
Catechin, a potent anti-oxidant, found in green tea is suggested to prevent the absorption of dietary lipids and cholesterol in the digestive tract. In addition, EGCG works to increase LDL receptor activity in the liver, increasing the amount of cholesterol that is recycled, or removed from the body.
Green tea may help prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease and stroke by decreasing the promoting the removal and limiting the uptake of fats and cholesterol in the body.
Increase fat burn
Green tea contains caffeine, a stimulant that increases fat burn and enhances exercise performance.
I know what you’re thinking, I’ll just keep drinking coffee. It’s higher in caffeine which will help me burn more fat. Hang tight, because green tea has a few extra tricks hidden up its… “s-leaf”?
Green tea comes packed with anti-oxidants, such as catechins. One of which is considered its shining star: EGCG. We mentioned earlier that this anti-oxidant is great for improving your blood lipid profile, but did we mention it can also boost your metabolism?
EGCG works as an inhibitor for an enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine, a fat-burning hormone. The less inhibitor means more norepinephrine and increased fat breakdown. EGCG and caffeine have even been suggested to have a synergistic relationship, further enhancing the fat burning benefits.
Conclusion
Have we convinced you to switch out your morning coffee for a cup of green tea instead? It’s okay if you’d prefer to stick to your old friend Joe, but if you ever make the switch, you won’t be sorry. Though more research must be completed to determine exactly how beneficial green tea is for the body, current research makes a pretty compelling argument.
If you’re thinking about switching over to green tea, here’s a few additives that we here at Holistic Frontier enjoy:
- Lemon: adds a nice flavor and some acidity to aid with digestion
- Lavender: “Hello relaxation!”
- Local Raw Honey: adding sweetness & improving seasonal allergies caused by pollen.
- Berries: added antioxidants and delicious flavor (without adding sugar).
- Ginger: “Bye-bye tummy ache.”
Looking for more foods that can benefit you? Check out our nutrition services for personalized nutrition plans that support your health and goals.
Looking for more fun articles? Check out how you can achieve your goals in 2022 here, or learn about supplements by clicking here.
References
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Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Military Nutrition Research. Caffeine for the Sustainment of Mental Task Performance: Formulations for Military Operations. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 2, Pharmacology of Caffeine. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223808/
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Sasaki, G., Wei, P., Li, J, Wang, L, Zhu, J., Mctigue, D, Yu, Z. & Bruno, R. (2019). Green tea extract prevents obesity in male mice by alleviating gut dysbiosis in association with improved intestinal barrier function that limits endotoxin translocation and adipose inflammation. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 67. 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2019.01.017.
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