7 Reasons Why You Should Have Green Tea

It is the perfect brew. An indulgence you'll never regret. Every sip of green tea is steeped in the anti-inflammatory goodness of antioxidants, brimming over with stress-fighting, anti-ageing and life-enhancing qualities. So go ahead, reach for that cup and take in all its benefits.

Boosts immunity

Green tea is rich in antioxidants known as polyphenols, particularly catechins. These fight free radicals and oxidative stress (or high levels of oxidants) that can hasten ageing and cause chronic and degenerative illnesses.

Checks diabetes

Green tea helps regulate blood sugar. Its polyphenols make the cells that metabolize glucose more reactive to insulin. In fact, a Harvard School of Public Health study states that long-term green tea drinkers had a lower risk of diabetes than those who drank it less.

Prevents heart disease

A 2014 meta-analysis of 13 studies showed that green tea consumption significantly reduces blood pressure levels -- both systolic and diastolic. This brew also reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the kind that clogs your blood vessels. 

Shields against stroke

Anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic effects of catechins ensure this. People who drink a cup of green tea daily have a 20 per cent lower risk of stroke than those who don't, reported the American Heart Association's journal Stroke.

Fights cancer

Research attributes green tea's anti-cancer and anti-tumorigenic qualities to flavonoids and catechins. Regular consumption of green tea could protect against oral, lung, breast, digestive tract, bladder and prostrate cancers. A 2013 study also found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could enhance the efficacy of some cancer drugs.  

Strengthens teeth 

Antioxidants in green tea keep your teeth sparking clean by hampering the growth of foul bacteria that causes periodontal disease.

Improves memory

Bid adieu to brain fog. Compounds EGCG and L-theanine prevent atrophy of cognitive function and support the production of new brain cells. EGCG enhances the levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for the ability to learn and retain information. L-theanine has a calming effect without bringing on drowsiness and enhances attention. Polyphenols in green tea are also recognized for their protective action against neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Sources: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition; The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry; Nutrition and Cancer; Journal of Periodontology