Top 5 reasons to drink green tea

Green tea has been hailed as a natural remedy for thousands of years, originating in China and widely used across Asia. A lot of scientific research has gone into green tea and its benefits are said to range from increasing metabolism to lowering weight loss and preventing cancer. So what reasons are out there for including green tea in your daily diet? 1) Prevent cancerrnThere is some evidence from early studies suggesting that green tea reduces the risk of some cancers. Whilst there is not yet enough evidence to conclusively say that green tea prevents cancers, many people believe that the low rates of cancer in Asia are due to the high intake of green tea. Some studies have shown that a substance within green tea called polyphenols give the drink antioxidant properties. Antioxidants neutralise free radicals in the body, which damage cells and DNA causing diseases such as cancer. 2) Reduce bad breathrnPolyphenols are not just antioxidants; they are also useful for relieving bad breath. A study from Israel’s Institute of Technology found that a particular polyphenol called epigallocatechin 3 gallate (EGCG) destroys a number of compounds in the mouth that lead to bad breath and tooth decay. 3) Increases metabolism rnA study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently found that green-tea extract increases your metabolism by 4% over a 24 hour period; and three to five cups a day can help you burn an extra 70 calories a day. A particular antioxidant found in green tea inhibits the breakdown of fats and the production of an inflammatory substance that triggers hunger, keeping you trim. So rather than starting faddy diets, why not replace your cups of regular tea and coffee with green tea- it will help you lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way. 4) Prevent neurological disordersrnDrinking tea is linked with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, even when other factors such as smoking, age and body mass index are taken into account. It is thought that polyphenols in green tea help maintain the parts of the brain that regulate learning and memory, so it may also be effective at preventing degenerative neurological diseases such as dementia. 5) Protect your heartrnGreen tea is thought to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Studies suggest that green tea raises levels of good cholesterol and lowers levels of total cholesterol in both animals and people. Researchers estimate that the risk of heart attack decreases by 11% with 3 cups of green tea drunk a day. So how much green tea do you need to drink to start reaping the benefits? No one seems able to say for sure, but it is thought that anything from two cups to ten cups a day will give your body a healthy boost. Remember most green tea contains caffeine so it will act as a stimulant, so make sure you don’t drink it before bed or you may find yourself being kept awake at night!