The properties of green tea and its healing effects have been appreciated for millennia. Green tea has gained the greatest popularity as a means of slimming and cleansing the body of toxins. What other properties does green tea have? What are its disadvantages? How is green tea brewed? How much to drink for he alth benefits?

Green teais a concept for various types of tea. The types of green tea differ in the appearance of the leaves, the color of the infusion, its taste, smell and caffeine content. It all depends on the time of year and time of day when tea leaves are collected (apparently the most expensive types of green teas come from leaves harvested at dawn and sprinkled with morning dew), the age of the collected leaves, their taste, and the way they are rolled. The region of the world where green tea comes from (and hence - the climatic zone in which it is grown) is also of great importance.

Check also what other types of teas are and how they work on the body!

To make green tea, the leaves are processed no later than an hour after they have been picked, before they start to ferment. Due to the fact that green tea leaves are not fermented, almost all valuable substances are preserved in them. And there are quite a few of them.

According to the Japanese, regular drinking of green tea supports the treatment of over 60 diseases.

This is mainly:

  • a unique set of polyphenols with various effects and catechins,
  • strong antioxidants,
  • tannins,
  • alkaloids,
  • lipids,
  • amino acids,
  • teina,
  • vitamins: A, B, C, E,
  • numerous micronutrients: calcium, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, fluorine.

With this rich set of ingredients, green tea has gained recognition in the eyes of scientists who are still discovering its new properties.

Green tea and slimming

Green teais recommended forslimming , especially drinkingat night , before going to bed. However, if we drink green tea overnight, choose the one from the second brewing. Then it has calming and relaxing properties. The one from the first brewing has a stimulating and refreshing effect.

Green tea yoursit owes its slimming properties to catechins, especially to a substance called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Catechins contained in green tea have a significant and multidirectional effect on the reduction of body fat. They inhibit the absorption of fats from food and increase their use by the body. In addition, green tea increases the activity of some enzymes involved in digestion, has a positive effect on liver metabolism, increases thermogenesis and accelerates the oxidation of fats. This is confirmed by both experiments conducted on cell lines and animal models,

Catechins EGCG contained in green tea show a significant effect on reducing the number and volume of adipose tissue cells.

At the same time, scientists note that the conclusions drawn from experiments on in vitro models and laboratory animals cannot always be applied to the human body. The use of stimulants such as cigarettes and alcohol is significantly involved in lowering the body's antioxidant potential, including reducing the antioxidant effect of green tea catechins. So if we want to lose weight with the help of green tea, it is better to avoid stimulants.

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Green tea extends life and protects against dementia

The Japanese believe that drinking 4 to 10 cups of this drink a day has a positive effect on he alth and extends human life by an average of 3 years. The Dutch say that four cups a day reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis. So scientists recommend drinking a few glasses of green tea each day for your enjoyment and he alth.

In Japan, the tea leaves are steam blanched before drying. In China, they are dried for 4-5 minutes on sun-heated or fire-heated bamboo trays, and then further processed in reels or hot kettles.

Current research shows that green tea may protect the brain against various forms of senile dementia. It has been shown that polyphenols bind to toxic components (hydrogen peroxide and beta-amyloid) that play an important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. After being absorbed by the body, polyphenols break downtransforming into a harmless mix of relationships.

Green tea reduces the risk of developing cancer

International research on the properties of green tea has shown its anti-cancer effect. This is due to, among others very powerful antioxidants that protect DNA against carcinogenic substances and changes that may lead to the development of cancer. In particular, their protective effect against skin cancer, mainly caused by UV radiation, is well documented. It has been found that drinking green tea on a regular basis significantly reduces the likelihood of developing this cancer, and also prevents sunburn.

Important

Green tea - brewing

Soft, low-calcium and non-chlorinated water is best for brewing. Unfortunately, our taps contain hard water with a high chlorine content. If it is not possible to filter it, use mineral, still, with a low calcium content. The infusion is prepared as follows: a teaspoon of dried fruit is poured over a glass of water with a temperature of 80 degrees C. Green tea is not poured with boiling water! It should be fresh water each time, and boiled once. The tea should be brewed for no more than 3-4 minutes. Too strong it has the aftertaste of spinach or algae. It is enough to dilute it with water and it will gain flavor.

Can you brew green tea multiple times?

The first steaming should be poured out as it washes the leaves of dirt. However, don't worry, you can brew green tea leaves several times. This is what the greatest gourmets do, i.e. the Chinese and the Japanese. The re-brewed tea is just as rich and even richer in minerals than the first brew. These include, in particular, manganese and fluoride, which are rare in food. However, it is worth remembering that moist green tea leaves cannot be stored for more than 12 hours, because fungi develop on them later. It is worth knowing that the better the quality of the tea leaves, the better the taste of the infusion and the more brewing you can make.

Lemon should not be added to green tea!Then the infusion becomes sour, and thus the aluminum gets from the leaves to the infusion. It should also not be drunk with milk, as it reduces the activity and absorption of beneficial polyphenols.

Green tea - doping for the brain

Tea stimulates and refreshes thanks to the high content of theine, which works in the same way as the caffeine in coffee.

Experiences have shown that tea stimulates the mind so much that during various types of tests we make significantly fewer mistakes, even up to 25%.

LeavesTeas, both black and green, have 2.5 to 4 percent theine, of which about 80 percent goes into infusion when brewed. A cup of tea contains 30 to 100 mg of theine. After drinking it, the mental and physical abilities of the body increase, and the feeling of drowsiness, weariness and exhaustion passes. Theine not only facilitates the learning process and improves the ability to associate, but also regulates the work of the intestines, and alleviates various types of pain in some people. However, only fresh infusion will wake you up and it will be obtained after 3 minutes at the most. When brewed, tea has a relaxing effect for longer.

Green tea supports the cardiovascular system

The unique set of valuable substances makes green tea invaluable in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It prevents the deposition of deposits on the walls of blood vessels, which increases their permeability. It inhibits the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream, reduces the viscosity of platelets, preventing the formation of clots. As a result, drinking green tea prevents hypertension, lowers the risk of heart attack, coronary artery disease and stroke.

Worth knowing

Green tea - disadvantages

Green tea is not without its drawbacks. It also has negative properties. If consumed in excess, green tea can :

  • cause anemia - catechins in green tea reduce the absorption of iron from food by the body
  • negatively affect the development of the fetus during pregnancy and newborns during lactation - tannin contained in green tea in excessive amounts may harm the baby
  • cause stomach problems - the tannins contained in green tea irritate the stomach, so it should not be drunk on an empty stomach or on an empty stomach
  • interact with medications, e.g. it may weaken the effect of medications for high blood pressure
  • cause osteoporosis - green tea leaches calcium from the body, so its excessive consumption may lead to osteoporosis

Green tea prevents periodontitis

The compounds contained in green tea neutralize bacteria in the mouth that could contribute to gingivitis and the development of periodontitis. At the same time, they counteract the formation of unpleasant odors. What's more - green tea also has anti-caries properties. This is due to the antibacterial action of polyphenols and the high content of fluoride. So let's not only drink the tea infusion, but also use it as a mouthwash.

Green tea improves the appearance of the skin

Green tea is a very attractive ingredient in cosmetics. Because it provides numerous antioxidants that reduce destructive effectsthe action of free radicals, creams with its addition protect the skin against photoaging - delay the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea extracts are used in cosmetics intended for the care of oily and acne-prone skin.

Green tea counteracts cellulite

Green tea infusion has a diuretic effect, which contributes to the elimination of swelling. At the same time, it has cleansing properties - it removes toxins accumulated in the tissues. As a result, it is an effective weapon against cellulite, prevents its formation and smoothes the skin.

Wonderful properties of green tea

Source: x-news.pl/Agencja TVN

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Who can't drink green tea?

People should limit their drinking of strong tea, both green and black:

  • older
  • heart sick
  • with hypertension
  • with glaucoma

It is also not the best drink for a developing organism. Therefore, children under the age of 10 should not be given tea at all. The older ones can drink a glass of weak tea from time to time. Green tea should be brewed for the second or third time. An important advantage for older children to drink it is the content of tannin and fluoride to prevent tooth decay. You can buy green tea without theine in stores and anyone can drink it without restrictions.

Worth knowing

Green tea - the most popular species in the world

The most popular green teas come from China and Japan. In China, they are harvested in 18 regions, such as Sichuan, Yunnan, Anhui, Fujian, Hunan and Zhejiang. Those originating from the Land of the Rising Sun are grown on the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku and in the central part of the island of Honshu. In addition, green tea is also grown in India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Turkey, Vietnam, Argentina and Iran.

By far the most popular type of green tea in the world is Sencha, which comes from Japan. Its infusion has a vivid green color and has a distinctive, yet delicate flavor. The tea is brewed for 2 minutes at 65-70 degrees C.

Another popular type of green tea - Gunpowder-comes from the Chinese province of Anhwei. The leaves of this tea are rolled very tightly in the shape of very small balls, hence its common name. When brewed, it gives a golden, amber infusion with a very strong, tart taste. The tea is brewed for 3-4 minutes at 80-90 degrees C.

Anothera very well-known type of green tea is cultivated in the Kukicha Land of the Rising Sun. It is made not only from the leaves of the tea plant, but also from their stems (kuki is a stem in Japanese). The light yellow infusion has a mild taste as it contains little caffeine. Therefore, it can be given to children. The tea should be brewed for one minute at a temperature of up to 90 degrees C.

The list of the most popular green teas in the world also includes Longjing (also known as Lung Ching). Dragon Well - as its name is literally translated - comes from the Chinese province of Zhejiang and is the oldest and most popular type of green tea in this country. It has a bright, straw color and a mild aroma. This type of tea is brewed for 3 minutes at 65-80 degrees Celsius.

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