Studies have shown that green tea can aid in heart health, inhibit the cancer process and help ward off obesity. Green tea can also fight bacteria, guard against dental cavities and fight free radical damage to cells. Green tea is made from the unfermented leaves of the camellia sinensis bush, and contains large amounts of catechins, powerful antioxidants responsible for green tea’s many health benefits, including:
Assisting in weight loss
Recent studies are finding that green tea may increase the rate of kilojoule burning, reduce fat levels and may even prevent excess weight gain.
Regulating cholesterol levels
Many researchers believe that green tea helps lower the absorption of cholesterol and aids in increasing its excretion.
Reducing risk factors of cardiovascular disease
Besides improving cholesterol levels, green tea may help lower blood pressure and decrease blood stickiness (which could lead to the kind of blood vessel damage that may contribute to a heart attack or strokes)
Protecting the body against free radicals that can cause ageing and cancer
Studies of large populations have linked green tea to a reduction of cancer of the stomach, lung, pancreatic, breast, colon, prostate and skin, and animal studies have show that green tea can help prevent the growth of tumours in the breast, prostate, lung and skin. The catechins found in green tea appear to inhibit the cancer process its antioxidant qualities protecting the body from free radical damage, lowing the toxicity of certain carcinogens.
