Types of green tea
What are the types of green tea? What are the potential health benefits besides the side effects of green tea? Let's take a quick look at this report.
Benefits of green tea
Green tea offers great health benefits, most notably:
Rich in antioxidants
Green tea contains antioxidants such as polyphenols that reduce inflammation in the body. These antioxidants also protect cells from damage that can lead to several chronic diseases.
Supports brain health
Green tea is rich in caffeine, which is known for its calming effect on the nerves, and it also contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which produces a calming effect, and the combination of caffeine and L-theanine has also been shown to improve brain function to improve memory, cognitive performance, and elevate mood, as well.
Green tea's ability to combat oxidative stress makes it a powerful protector against neurodegenerative diseases.
Helps control weight
Green tea has been shown to increase metabolism and stimulate fat burning. It has also been linked to suppressing appetite and preventing fat gain by inhibiting a process known as angiogenesis on which adipose tissue growth depends.
prevents cancer
Green tea fights cancer in several main ways. It protects against damage that can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which can lead to cancerous mutations.
The antiangiogenic effect that helps prevent fat gain also prevents the spread of cancer.
Supports immunity
The antioxidants in green tea provide anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral effects that support immunity. Moreover, its anti-bacterial properties also fight bad breath.
Supports bone density
The antioxidants in green tea have been shown to protect against bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures, and studies have found that consuming green tea in moderation benefits bone health by improving bone strength and quality.
Helps balance blood sugar and prevent diabetes
Green tea helps reduce blood sugar levels, and scientists have found that green tea consumption is inversely related to the risk of diabetes.
Supports heart health
In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to protect against oxidative stress, green tea has been shown to protect the heart by reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, or blood lipids, and it also prevents the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein.
Protects the skin from aging
Research indicates that the polyphenols in green tea protect the skin from the effects of UV rays.
This helps prevent accelerated aging, in addition to providing anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory benefits. Green tea compounds also help protect against wrinkles due to their ability to prevent the breakdown of collagen and fibers.
Elastic, which in turn prevents the loss of skin elasticity.
Associated with longevity
The cells of those who drink green tea regularly have a biological life that is about five years younger than those who do not drink it, and Japanese research also shows that those who drink green tea regularly live longer, in one study conducted on the elderly, those who drank a large amount of green tea were less They had a 76% chance of dying during the six-year study period.
Types of green tea
Green tea is not a single type as you think, and these are the most famous types:
Sencha green tea.
Gyokuro tea.
Japanese brown rice tea.
Matcha green tea.
Longjing tea.
Chinese gunpowder tea.
How do I know the original green tea?
You can easily differentiate between the original and imitation green tea, according to the following:
texture
In general, you should feel that the quality dried tea leaves are as good as they look. They should be smooth and whole, and they should also have a slight weight in your hands; If your tea is light, this could be an indication that it has been over-dried or is old, as high-quality leaves will not disintegrate or crumble with gentle handling, and steeped tea leaves should look slippery and smooth to the touch.
Odor
Regardless of the type, high-quality tea will have a distinct aroma. If you inhale deeply and get only trace amounts of the aroma, this could be a sign that the tea is of poor quality or has become old and aged.
The aroma of green tea should be herbal, light, and fresh. When steeped, a premium tea should be deeply aromatic.
the taste
The original tea will have a strong, distinctive, and impressive taste. Sip the tea slowly, and let the tea spread to different parts of your tongue; You should be able to notice different flavors in your mouth.
A premium tea will activate the sensations of different flavors on your tongue as you drink, and barely noticeable flavors or an unpleasant chemical aftertaste are an indication that you are drinking low-quality or old tea.
Green tea side effects
One of the world's most popular beverages, tea is not only delicious but is also associated with many health benefits including reduced inflammation and a reduced risk of chronic disease.
Although eating moderate amounts is healthy for most people, excessive caffeine intake can lead to negative side effects such as anxiety, headaches, digestive problems, and disturbed sleep patterns.
You can drink 3-4 cups (710-950 ml) of green tea per day without harmful effects, as most of the known side effects are related to caffeine and tannin, and if you are sensitive to it, pay attention to the amount you consume.