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While green tea has been used in
eastern cultures for over 4,000 years, only recently has it been
recognized for its medicinal properties in western culture. Here
are just 6 of the many health benefits that green tea can
provide. To learn about more health benefits of green tea, I
recommend the
Complete Guide To Green Tea.
Protect your smile.
Green tea contains bacteria fighting agents that help stop plaque production. Less plaque means you have cleaner, healthier teeth and gums. Another plus, it also kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath.
Prevent cancer
EGCG is a powerful antioxidant found in many teas, but is present in much larger concentrations in green tea. Antioxidants combat chemicals that are naturally produced in the body that can cause cancer and other health issues. Studies have shown one substance in green tea can slow the growth of cancer cells. While research hasn’t been done on every type of cancer, green tea has shown that it may reduce the risk of one cancer up to 60 percent. It has also been shown it may reduce the reoccurrence of certain cancers.
Promotes a health heart
The EGCG in Green Tea has been shown to lower total cholesterol levels. Specifically, it lowered “bad” cholesterol more than it does “good” cholesterol. EGCG also helps prevent against heart attack and stroke by inhibiting the production of blood clots. Green tea also helps to lower levels of stress hormones in the body, leaving you more relaxed. Being stressed out can cause damage to the heart along with the rest of your body. Drinking green tea could help keep your heart beating a lot longer.
Boost immune system
While green tea can help fight bacteria in your mouth, it can also help fight diseases in the rest of your body. Green tea contains an amino acid that helps fight bacteria and improve the immune response in your body. If you regularly drink green tea, you may find you get sick a lot less.
Ease rheumatoid arthritis
Green tea is not only beneficial in easing the symptoms of this painful disease; it has also been shown to help prevent you from ever getting it. In China, where more people drink green tea regularly, there is a much lower incidence of rheumatoid arthritis.
Lose weight
When you eat a lot of carbohydrates, your body
responds by producing a lot of insulin; leaving you tired and
craving more food. Green tea has been shown to help keep blood
sugar at lower levels so you don’t produce as much insulin. This
can help you eat less and lose weight. Studies have also found
that green tea can speed up how fast your body metabolizes
certain foods. And the faster your metabolism, the faster you
slim down.
While these are all great health benefits, you should realize
that drinking green tea every so often is probably not going to
make a big difference to your weight. Many of the studies that
produced results had participants drinking up to 10 glasses of
green tea a day! If you find you’re just can’t drink enough
green tea, there are supplements available that are green tea
based; however, the best option is the real thing.
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