PEAKLIFE

Here’s a way of consuming green tea

Green Tea is the most popular amongst Japanese and Chinese and one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. According to researchers, green tea contains antioxidants, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial or viral and neuroprotective effects.

We’ll all that’s true, but are we consuming green tea in a proportionate manner?

“Green tea contains polyphenols like catechin, Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the leaf bud and the first leaf is richest in EGCG,” says  Sonia Narang, Nutritionist and Wellness Expert, Oriflame India.

Sonia Narang shares health benefits of green tea:

Heath benefits of green tea

• Promote health heart 

Green tea is highly richest in polyphenol called ECGC which inhibits inflammation and proliferation of smooth muscles within the blood vessel wall, thereby help in reducing the build of blockage called plaque or hardening of walls called atherosclerosis, thus prevents cardiovascular diseases and promote healthy heart.

• Anti-Cancer properties 

Due its amazing antioxidants like Catechins and ECGC, Green Tea efficiently scavenges free radicals due to its anti-oxidative properties, which are linked to ageing and chronic degenerative diseases in by interrupting the pathways that could lead to uncontrollable growth of tumour.

• Good for diabetes 

Green tea is prepared with unfermented leaves that are why it is able to retain all of its powerful antioxidants, and that help in lowering glucose production in liver cells and decreases the activity of genes that enhances glucose production.

• Help in lowering LDL cholesterol 

Green tea also reduces the accumulation of cholesterol, free fatty acids, and triglycerides in the heart.

• Neuro-protective 

Green tea has neuroprotective effects, hence prevents cognitive dysfunction. It improves learning and memory abilities.

• Obesity 

Obesity is one of the main public concerns as it directly related to chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases etc. but thanks, to green tea which is blessed with an antioxidants called Catechins and main attributable factor i.e. ECGC which aids in boost up metabolism by increases the hormone noradrenaline which trigger fat cells to burn fat and thus promotes weight loss.

Consuming green tea good or bad?

No doubt green tea is good for health as it is a rich source of antioxidants called flavonoids that may have health benefits, including a reduced risk of cancers and heart disease.

But at the same time, it contains caffeine also up-to 63 mg to 100 mg per cup, which can have negative effects if consumed in excess. How much green tea one should drink each day depends on the health status especially if one has an underlying condition, like liver disease or heart problems.

Harvard Health Publications recommends drinking 3 cups of green tea each day to gain its benefits. The University of Maryland Medical Centre bases its dosage recommendation on a number of polyphenols, or active antioxidant compounds, in green tea. It suggests getting 240 to 320 milligrams of polyphenols each day — the amount in 2 to 3 cups, depending on the brand.

If over consumed

In small amounts, caffeine can have positive effects, including a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, in excessive amounts, it may lead to troublesome side effects including a headache, nervousness, sleeplessness, irritability, irregular heartbeat, heartburn, dizziness, and confusion.  Consuming more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day can lead to osteoporosis because it increases the amount of calcium lost through urine.

Dos and Don’ts of Green Tea

• Intake of 2-3 cups not a mug of green tea is considered to be safe.
• Avoid having green tea on the early morning as it causes nauseatic and makes the stomach upset.
• Don’t consume your green tea with the meals as it can hinder the absorption of the nutrients.
• Avoid green tea before going to bed as it can interfere with the sleep pattern
• So, green tea is best to consume before or after 25-30min meals.