Green Tea – Functions, Effectiveness, Preparation, Dosages, Side-Effects

Green Tea

Green Tea – All you Need To Know

Green Tea

Green tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant. From dried leaves to dried buds, every part of this plant is used to make various teas. The leaves undergo the process of steam and pan fry before drying them to make green tea. Other teas, such as black tea and oolong tea, go through fermentation (black tea) or partial fermentation (oolong tea) procedures (oolong tea). People frequently consume green tea as a beverage.

Green tea is sometimes used as a drink or supplement to treat excessive levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia) and high blood pressure, as well as to avoid heart disease and cancers of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer) and ovarian cancer. It’s also used for a variety of other ailments, but there’s no scientific evidence to back it up. Green tea is consumed by many people across all countries. So, let’s learn about it more.

 

Functions of Green Tea

The leaf bud, leaf, and stem are all useful elements of green tea. It is made by boiling fresh leaves at high temperatures without being fermented. It can keep key compounds known as polyphenols during this process, which appear to be responsible for many of green tea’s advantages. Polyphenols may help reduce joint degeneration by reducing inflammation and swelling and protecting cartilage between the bones. They also appear to fight human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and reduce abnormal cell proliferation in the cervix (cervical dysplasia). Research to now has not been able to explain how this works.

It is used for the treatment of genital warts too. The tea’s caffeine enhances thinking and alertness, increases urine production, and may improve the function of brain messengers critical in Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine is thought to activate the neurological system, heart, and muscles by increasing the release of “neurotransmitters,” which are molecules found in the brain.

 

Green Tea Effectivities on Health

  • Weight Loss –

Many people who struggle with their weight discover that it is caused by an accumulation of pounds around their midsection. Green tea may aid in weight loss and, as a result, fat loss. In a study of overweight people, researchers discovered that individuals who drank green tea lost weight and had a smaller waist circumference.

  • Heart Health –

Heart disease is a serious condition. Green tea consumption has been associated with a lower risk of blocked arteries in population studies. Men appear to have a stronger relationship than women. Additionally, persons who drink at least three cups of this, each day may have a lower risk of heart disease death.

  • Fat Burning Properties –

Increasing your metabolism will make you feel better in general. It’s beneficial to your general health when your bodily systems are operating at peak performance. Green tea stimulates fat burning, which means your blood is flowing better, your heart is pumping at the proper rate, and your digestive system is running smoothly.

  • Cancer –

Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that affects the uterus’s lining (endometrial cancer). Green tea helps to reduce the risk of this cancer.

  • Brain Function –

Green tea catechins are the true stars of the show. They offer a long list of advantages and have been shown to protect brain neurons. The risk of neurodegenerative disorders is minimized and cognitive impairment is lessened.

  • Cholesterol –

High blood levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) (hyperlipidemia). The tea extract may help prevent damage to vein and artery walls in persons with excessive cholesterol, according to a preliminary study. People who drink more green tea appear to have lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in their blood. They also appear to have greater levels of HDL cholesterol (commonly known as “good” cholesterol). Green tea or the extract is taken daily for up to 24 weeks has been shown to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

  • Mood Improvement –

The tea’s ingredients contain more caffeine, which works as a stimulant. It is believed to increase brain function, including reaction time, mood, and productivity, in addition to making us feel more energized after drinking coffee or tea.

  • High Blood Pressure –

People with high blood pressure should drink this tea. Green tea use may lower the chance of having high blood pressure. It may also help those with high blood pressure by lowering their blood pressure slightly. However, not all study supports this.

  • Inflammation –

Green tea flavonoids have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. This tea’s epigallocatechin gallate possesses anti-inflammatory properties and protects cell DNA. It also has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that help to reduce inflammation.

Preparation of Green Tea

Green Tea

The brewing temperature and steeping time guidelines may differ depending on the type and variety of green tea you wish to brew. If the tea packaging does not include brewing instructions, ask your tea dealer for advice.

Here are some general tea-making guidelines to remember while making it. Use filtered water that is fresh, pure, and cool. These teas are usually made in short infusions at 160 to 180 degrees. Don’t let your tea become too hot! If the water is overly hot, especially for this tea, the bitterness and astringency of the tea will be released more quickly. If you don’t have an electric kettle with temperature control, let the water cool before pouring it over the leaves. It depends on the tea, but a good bet is to use roughly 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 8 oz. cup of water. Use the steeping instructions on your tea package if it has them. To maintain all of the heat in the steeping vessel, cover the steeping tea.

Note: For an early harvest, more delicate teas, steep for 30 to 60 seconds; for regular harvest, more powerful teas, steep for 2 to 3 minutes. The majority of high-quality loose leaf teas can be steeped more than once.

 

Dosages of Green Tea

There have been no definitive studies on how much green tea to drink each day to get the most benefit. All of it depends on one’s health and preferences. Every day, different amounts of this nutritious tea will help you in different ways. Those who drank one to three cups per day, for example, had a decreased risk of stroke and heart disease than those who drank less than one cup per day, according to controlled research. Women who consumed more than 5 cups of coffee each day were less likely to get stomach cancer. It’s excellent to have green tea in your diet, but as long as you drink a cup or more every day, that’s fine!

Side Effects of Green Tea

Green tea drinkers may face negative side effects. It’s a good idea to cut back if this happens. Remember to gradually increase your daily water intake. On the first day, don’t go all out. Moderation is always the best option.

  • Caffeine in excess might disrupt sleep.
  • Too much caffeine, like any other stimulant, can make you jittery.
  • The tea is a diuretic, it can cause dehydration if consumed in excess.
  • It should be consumed one hour after meals or in between meals by persons who are iron deficient since it may interfere with iron absorption.
  • This tea can give you a headache if you drink too much of it.
  • Sometimes causes stomach problems.