How ‘green’ is the Green Tea? All benefits; No…?

Green tea, made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, has gained popularity for over a decade due to its numerous benefits. Originating from China’s Han Dynasty, it was primarily used for medicinal purposes. During the early Tang Dynasty, it was consumed for pleasure and was a symbol of status. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect the body from free radical-induced cell damage, reducing the risk of long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Regular consumption can also improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol.

New Delhi: For about a decade the craze for Green Tea has increased many folds. The people, including several nutritionists and dietitians, who easily count a number of benefits of Green Tea, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

What Is Green Tea?

Before we analyse all the benefits claimed by experts, let's know about Green Tea.

Green tea is made exclusively from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. It is also known as unoxidized tea.

Here's the process of manufacturing Green Tea.

1. The leaves are plucked from the plants.
2. Immediately after plucking the leaves are cooked to preserve the green quality and prevent oxidization.
3. This way green teas have a much higher concentration of chlorophyll, polyphenols, and antioxidants than other tea types.

Green Tea: Backgrounder

The origin of Green Tea goes as far back as the China’s Han Dynasty (206BC-220BC). At that time it was mainly used for medicinal purposes. But during China’s early Tang Dynasty (600BC-900BC), it is recorded that the Green Tea was consumed for pleasure. But during this period green tea was only distributed in compressed cakes. It was done so for easy transport.

Book On Green Tea

At that time a book about the art of green tea drinking was written by Lu Yu. The book was “The Classic of Tea” or “Cha Jing”. This book is considered one of the most authentic books of its time as it was an all-inclusive explorations of green tea culture as a whole.

Symbol Of Status

During Tang Dynasty formal tea ceremony started as a ritual. At that time it was accessible only to the wealthy elite. And that is why green tea became a symbol of status in society.

Benefits Of Green Tea

Antioxidant Powerhouse: Packed with antioxidants green tea helps shield the body from free radical-induced cell damage. According to Healthline this can help lower the risk of developing long-term conditions like diabetes cancer and heart disease.

Heart Health: Research indicates that drinking green tea on a regular basis may reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular conditions. The Asian Institute of Medical Sciences claims that it improves general heart health by lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol (LDL).

Weight management: Green tea may help reduce body weight by increasing fat burning and metabolism. It is a useful supplement to a weight-loss plan because it can also aid in appetite control.

Skin Health: Green teas antioxidants may help shield the skin from aging and damage. According to Everyday Health it may also be beneficial for eczema and other skin disorders.

Diabetes Management: According to certain studies green tea may help control blood sugar levels and enhance insulin sensitivity which could help with type 2 diabetes management.