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A Cup of Green Tea
- maddyfloraremedia
- Jun 27, 2016
- 3 min read
More and more people are starting to love brewing and drinking tea. This is usually served with milk but it is also uncommon to drink it black or with lemon. Some countries even have the highest tea drinking per capita. The popularity of tea worldwide is undeniably awesome!
The Tea Plant, Camellia sinensis, is the source of common teas. It is a species of evergreen shrub which leaves and leaf buds are steep in hot water to produce tea. Many people are surprised to know that varieties of tea are made from the leaves of the same species. The leaves are simply processed differently.
The level of oxidation or fermentation is what determines whether a tea is white, green, oolong or black. The less a tea is oxidized, the gentler and lighter it will be in taste and aroma. Heavily oxidized teas will yield a dark reddish brown color, while white tea will give pale-yellow green color.
Oxidation or Fermentation process of tea leaves begins once the leaves are exposed to air. Fully fermented tea, such as black teas, are picked then withered and rolled to fully expose the leaves to oxidation. To control fermentation, like in green tea, the leaves are heated by pan frying or steaming almost immediately after picking. Adding heat will eliminate the enzyme responsible for oxidation.
Because green tea is not fermented, it retains its color and most of the nutrients. It is considered as one of the healthiest drink globally for centuries. It has many to mention health benefits – some incredible benefits that you may not have been aware of.
Numerous studies have been done to consider what green tea can do to your body. Let’s try to consider some of them below:
Improves Brain Function
Green tea is the best alternative to coffee to keep you awake, without the “jittery” feeling associated with too much caffeine. It contains less caffeine but enough to give you a different kind of “buzz” than coffee.
It contains the unique L-theanine amino acid which enhances brain functions, particularly on the working-memory area. Green tea was said to delay the deterioration of the brain cells as in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
L-theanine has also been reported as a relaxing agent thus improving your mood and prevents depression.
Weight Loss and Fat-Burning Benefits
Drinking green tea as a beverage or taking green tea extract as a supplement can helps break down fat cells and increases your metabolism. It contains polyphenol that intensifies oxidation of fats.
Green tea helps you burn more calories especially during active exercise.
But the fat-burning efficacy relies on the user not being heavily resistant to caffeine. Like for example, if you are taking at least more than 2 cups of caffeinated drinks daily, green tea’s fat-burning effects would be less significant.
Bioactive Compounds
Most tea, especially this green liquid, from Camellia tea plant is brimming of antioxidants which help you reduce the risk to develop various malignant illnesses.
Tea Polyphenols are mostly flavonoids. Flavonoids are colorless crystalline compound obtained from plants. Catechins, a type of disease-fighting flavonoid and antioxidant, are the keys to tea’s significant function in the body. These substances act to protect cells against free radicals, which are responsible for the development of aging and several diseases.
The detoxifying effect of this active antioxidant protects the cells and its receptors against blood clot formation, cancers, heart diseases and stroke.
Epigallocatechin Gallate or EGCG is another antioxidant found in green tea with fat burning properties. Studies show that it has anti-cancer effects and useful for maintaining cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Other studies and tests show that regular green tea drinkers block allergic responses, slow the growth of tumors, protect bones, fight dental conditions, protect against Parkinson’s disease and even delay the onset of diabetes.
Green tea extract also helps in minimizing skin wrinkles and lessens signs of aging. Floraremedia includes green tea extract in their detoxing body oil with a total detox effect to decrease water retention (puffiness), reduces cellulites and to feel cleansed in the morning.
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