Fights Aging
Along with fighting the signs of aging, green tea also helps with less obvious forms of aging as well. A Japanese University study found that drinking more than 2 cups of green tea per day slashed the odds of cognitive impairment in elderly patients by 64%. That's an amazing number, and really demonstrates the power of green tea against cognitive impairment, memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Enhances Mental Focus
Green tea contains mild levels of caffeine which has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. That's not so amazing by itself, but...Green tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which is found almost exclusively in the tea plant. Theanine affects the brain's neurotransmitters and increases alpha brain-wave activity. In simple terms this results in a calmer, yet more alert, state of mind.
Boosts the Immune System
Speaking of theanine, a 2003 study by the Brigham and Women's Hospital found that theanine may help the body's immune system when fighting infection. The study compared coffee drinkers to tea drinkers and found that the production of anti-bacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea drinkers, an indicator of stronger immune response.
Another study, published in the November 2005 issue of Antiviral Research, found that one of the catechin antixoidants in green tea (EGCG) dramatically inhibited influenza virus replication. Yep, that means that green tea fights the common flu too.
Promotes Oral Health
Researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago found that polyphenols in Green tea inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. These antibacterial properties also help the teeth and gums. In fact, a Japanese University found that regular consumption of tea strengthened participant's teeth and helped to prevent tooth decay.
Other Benefits of Green Tea
Starting to get an idea of the amazing health benefits of green tea? There's a lot more too. Here are a few things that green tea can do that we haven't mentioned so far:
* Fights rheumatoid arthritis
* Fights infection
* Lower stress
* Protect against heart disease
* Inhibit atherosclerosis
* Build bone density
* Minimizes risk of heart attack
* Speeds recovery after a heart attack
* Protects from brain damage
* Lowers blood pressure
* Protects the kidneys
* Protects the liver
* Increases endurance