Green tea is a type of beverage that is known for its health benefits qualities. It is an antioxidant drink that helps keep your immunity in check and promotes good health. But there is more to it than just a kiss of health. Green tea is green in color, how obvious, and is rich in flavors. It allows you to add your favorite flavors like cloves and cinnamon, but that will make green tea an herbal tea. The original green tea that we may come across at the grocery shops is made from the green leaves of Camellia sinensis. Yes, the leaves are green as they don’t go through the same oxidization and withering process as the black tea goes through.
All teas were originated in China. But green tea, in particular, is a product of China, just like black tea is a product of India. In China, if you go, tea means only green tea. If you remember the story of Chinese emperor Shen Nung, the tea his servant made from the accidentally falling of Camellia sinensis is what was created as green tea.
The great herbalist Shen Nung declared green tea as an antidote as it helped him recover from consuming position herbs. Since then, green tea has become popular for its medicinal value. The green tea that we drink today is helpful in easing symptoms and not ailments. This is very important to note. If you believe having a few cups of green tea will help beat certain diseases, you are wrong; green tea only helps in elevating symptoms. You will have to get medical help to treat ailments. Green is beneficial for it carries the natural prosperities that help keep gut health and the brain active. It is the processing of green tea that makes it a most useful product among all beverages.
The manufacturers of green tea are the quick workers in the industry, as the green tea needs to be processed within 24 hours of harvesting. The green tea processing is different from the black tea as green tea is neither oxidized nor withered.
...They are exposed to dry heat and sometimes wet heat, depending on the leaves. Dry heating of the tea leaves gives us a nutty flavor and greenish color. At the same time, the wet heat gives us a vegetal tea that tastes salty.
After the heating, the green leaves are rolled to brake and polished with essential oil to add vegetal flavor. The green leaves are then dried to prevent any chemical changes. So, this is how your green tea is processed and made ready for packaging.
As stated earlier, green tea doesn’t go through hard oxidation and withering, and hence, the green color of the leaves is retained. Grinding these green leaves gives us Matcha, a powdered tea that has a rich green color.
The largest producer of green tea is China, the place where green tea was first introduced. The country produces about 480,000 tons of green tea a year.
...Japan produces 83,000 tons, Indonesia 38,000 tons, and India is a little behind in green tea production with just 9,000 tons.
Green tea is an ultimate source of antioxidants that help keep our immune system intact and our gut healthy. It helps reduce cholesterol, improve blood circulation, lose weight and a lot more. Green tea, if used in an appropriate quantity, can do wonders for one’s health.
When it comes to having green tea, it is absolutely safe to have as many as eight cups of green tea. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the intake of caffeine should not exceed 400 milligrams. One cup of green tea contains about 30-50 milligrams of caffeine. Consuming more than the recommended caffeine can cause anxiety, headache, insomnia, nausea, upset stomach, and restlessness.
Green tea contains L-theanine – a type of amino acid that helps reduce signs of stress and anxiety.
...It helps you relax and be productive at work. The level of L-theanine found in green tea is much higher than found in black tea, white tea, and oolong tea. Various studies have found that consuming 200-400 milligrams of green tea regularly can help fight symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve sleep.
Cognitive decline is a common problem among the elderly. As we age, we become more prone to cognitive disorders
such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In several studies, green tea has proved to be effective in preventing cognitive decline. It contains antioxidants which may help protect against cell withering and the onset of memory loss and confusion, the first sign of cognitive decline.
A high concentration of antioxidants in green tea has been found effective in preventing osteoporosis, a type of bone disease.
An osteoporosis patient is at higher risk of spine, wrist, and hip fractures. Antioxidants in green tea support bone formation and prevent bone mass loss, thus preventing bone fracture.
Various studies have found that green tea is helpful in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol, the main culprit for heart-related problems.
Green tea contains a powerful ingredient, L-theanine, that helps improve brain functioning.
According to a study conducted in 2014, the consumption of green tea improved the logical reasoning, problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning of the volunteers.
There is no good evidence that green tea aids in weight loss or weight maintenance
Diabetes is a lethal health disease. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to any disease. Certain studies have found that green tea contains antioxidants that may help reduce insulin resistance.
Green tea is the most recommended beverage by dieticians for its ability to help weight loss.
...Green tea contains catechins, a type of antioxidant that helps burn fat. Catechins enhance metabolic rates and help burn fat while exercising.
