Learn About Tea
The Benefits of Drinking Green Tea -
Green tea is a great source of antioxidants and like fruit and vegetables, can help you maintain your health as part of a balanced diet and healthy, active lifestyle.
Fermentation is blocked in the preparation of green tea which means all the natural goodness of the fresh green tea leaf is preserved. The fresh Green tea leaf is rich in healthy nutrients, Polyphenols, Theanine as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals which all aid it’s antioxidant properties of green tea.
Modern western science has discovered so much more… Most of the modern research has focused on the antioxidant properties of green tea and, in particular, on Catechins which are a very powerful antioxidant and appears to be unique to green tea.
Polyphenols -
This is a family of antioxidants which are often found in healthy foods. Catechins, which are mentioned above, belong to this greater family of antioxidants and are known for being the star performers in the Polyphenol family of antioxidants. They may also target and repair DNA aberrations caused by oxidants which is why green tea is often used in cosmetics and anti-ageing creams.
Green Tea and Theanine -
Green tea is a natural source of a wonderful amino acid called theanine. Studies on the effects of theanine suggest that although it creates a lovely warm feeling of relaxation, it does not shut down the brain, instead it allows you to be relaxed and calm, yet alert and aware at the same time. Theanine is available in supplement form and many people take it for its sought after qualities, however when you drink green tea, the theanine passes through the blood-brain barrier and affects the brain directly - which heightens the effects.
Tea for Teeth -
Due to the natural phytochemical presented in plants, green tea can significantly reduce streptococcus mutans cologne counts! Therefor its especially helpful at preventing tooth decay and bacterial plaque. Green Tea polyphenols work as anti-plaque agents but greatly surpassing glucosyl transferase… Green tea even has advantages over standard chlorehexidine mouthwash.
If you’re trying to limit your caffeine intake, here’s a useful tip:
Caffeine is highly soluble, so when you prepare your cup of tea, pour just a small amount of hot water over the tea bag, swirl it around, then discard the water as caffeine will be one of the first compounds released. Re-brew with fresh water and you have a very low caffeine cuppa!
Hydration
We all know that it is vital to drink enough fluids as not drinking enough can lead to dehydration – this can cause tiredness, weakness, headaches, constipation and may even harm your kidneys. Many of us force ourselves to drink the recommended 8 cups of water a day, not realising that tea, like water, is hydrating and can count towards your daily fluid intake target. Green tea has no calories and typically has around a quarter the level of caffeine compared to coffee.
Energising
The ancient Chinese recognised tea’s important pharmacological properties and described them in terms of energising the body and contributing to a feeling of well being.
Diuretic properties which detox and cleanse the body. It is an aid to digestion and an ideal after dinner drink.