Pros and Cons of Green Tea
Many people claim that green tea is beneficial to our body.
Everywhere now you will see people or companies manufacturing and selling green tea capsules, green tea juices etc.
Especially in countries like Japan, India, China, Thailand and Singapore.
Green tea is a national beverage in Japan. It is believed to be very beneficial to the body and it is being used in traditional medicine.
But can they really do any good to our body? What are the pros and cons of green tea?
Below are the lists of some information I have got from different sources for your reference.
Pros of green tea:
Some research has credited green tea with the following benefits to our body.
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Preventing Cancer
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Neutralizing the spread of free radicals
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Reducing the negative effects of LDL (bad) cholesterol
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Stopping diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
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Treating multiple sclerosis
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Increasing metabolism
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Encourages the formation of scabs if applied directly to a wound
Cons of green tea:
The major concern with drinking too much green tea is the caffeine it contains. Too much caffeine can cause nausea, insomnia or frequent urination.
New scientist points to recent research has shown consuming very large quantities of green tea can be dangerous as it can cause damage to the liver and kidneys:
Bottom Line:
Green tea is a very good source of antioxidant.
Anti oxidant is good for our body as it helps to prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore, lower the risk of cancer and infection.
So drinking green tea can really be beneficial to our body because of the anti oxidant that it has.
But as we all probably know, too much of something is not good.
So drinking green tea in moderation should be okay.
But drinking too much of it, could be harmful to your body because of the caffeine. And too much caffeine is not good for our body.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea has been around for thousands of years and has been used by the Chinese for generations as treatments for conditions such as depression and headaches. The tea is made by steaming the leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Although this plant is used in the production of a number of different teas, it is the process of steaming the leaves that makes the difference as this prevents the beneficial properties from being lost. There have always been claims that green tea had beneficial properties, mainly because of the apparent benefits on those in the Chinese community for whom the tea is part of their daily lifestyle. However, nowadays there is also scientific evidence to back up these claims.
There is a wide variety between the types of benefits caused by green tea, from minor aliments such as headaches, to more serious illnesses such as cancer. These benefits are due to the fact the tea is rich in antioxidants – at levels thought to be twice as strong as those found in resveratrol which is also well known for its health benefits. These antioxidants reduce the damage caused to cells by ‘free radicals’, which helps counter the effects of smoking and a diet rich in fats, known as the ‘French effect’. By reducing the damage caused by these free radicals, green tea also inhibits the growth of cancer cells which are basically damaged or deformed cells caused by free radicals. It has also been suggested that green tea can kill cancer cells already present without harming the healthy tissue, however the reliability of this is unclear. The same antioxidant properties helps reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, and has been known to reduce infection and can improve impaired immune functions.
Green tea has also been linked to the prevention of cardiovascular disease as it can inhibit the abnormal formation of blood clots, in turn preventing issues such as thrombosis which is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes. This is due to the antioxidant properties of the tea that help fight infection and repair cell damage. It is also due to its ability to reduce cholesterol levels, improving the ratio of good cholesterol (known as HDL) to bad cholesterol (known as LDL). Another benefit of green tea, and perhaps one of the main reasons for its increased popularity in the Western world, is its ability to help weight loss. It is thought that the tea can increase the metabolism which in turn helps burn calories without exercise. An additional benefit is that although the metabolic rate is increased, the heart rate is not. This is why green tea can be found in an increasing amount of weight loss supplements.
As well as the benefits regarding the serious health issues mentioned above, green tea can also be helpful in fighting more trivial ailments such as heartburn and tooth decay. It is also known to help with bad skin, which has resulted in it becoming a popular ingredient in skin care treatments. The only known downside to green tea is that it can contribute to insomnia due to the caffeine content; however the rate is lower than that found in coffee. Nevertheless, this is no reason not to try green tea for yourself to see if you can feel the benefits. Plus, it also has a great taste!
Green Tea Prevents Breast Cancer
There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the health benefits of breast cancer. Unlike with others claims you hear around the internet, which you never really know if they’re true or not, green tea has scientifically proven health benefits including being able to help prevent and reduce the recurrence of breast cancer, as discussed by caring.com:
One of the first plant-based chemicals to be studied for its anti-cancer properties, catechins — the chemicals in green tea — have been known for some time to prevent and reduce recurrence of breast and other cancers. With this particular chemical, experts even know why: a chemical known as EGCG inhibits breast tumor growth, a University of Mississippi study shows. Just two cups a day is enough to do the trick.
As they say, just 2 cups a day is enough to enjoy the benefits of this tasty drink. Drink up!
