6 Incredible Health Benefits of Green Tea

The second most consumed drink in the world after water, tea has preventive and curative properties. Among the various teas, green tea contains many active ingredients, including antioxidants, which oppose the effects of free radicals.

What are the most amazing benefits of green tea on our health?

1. It prevents cognitive disorders

Green tea help us fight against cognitive disorders. In any case, this seems to indicate several studies.

Indeed, according to two studies conducted in the 1990s, drinking green tea daily would help maintain alertness and cognitive performance.

More recently, in 2014 to be precise, a study showed that a green tea extract appeared to improve the working memory of participants (average age of 24) by promoting connections between neurons.

In addition, a 2015 Japanese study found that daily consumption in the range of 1 to 6 cups per day was associated with a lower risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

Finally, an epidemiological study of 1,000 Japanese aged 70 and older indicated that those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day had a lower risk (almost -38%) of cognitive impairment compared to the ones who drank less (3 per week.) This risk is reduced by two (54%) when the consumption is at least 2 cups per day.

EGCG is one of the compounds that can be the reason for the beneficial effects observed on the cognitive function.

2. It makes you lose weight

Green tea is a natural fat-burner

Indeed, its leaves contain caffeine and catechins, two substances that increase the levels of norepinephrine in the body. Now, norepinephrine can increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation.

Studies have shown that taking green tea extract increases energy expenditure and stimulates the breakdown of fat stored in the body, effects that could contribute to weight loss.

In addition, a meta-analysis published in 2010 showed that catechins and caffeine contained in green tea can have a slimming effect and help control weight, provided the consumption of green tea is associated with a sports activity. moderate.

It should be noted, however, that none of this work has addressed the long-term effect of such consumption.

3. It prevents certain cancers

Green tea, consumed daily, is recognized as the best anti-cancer drink.

Indeed, it has a protective effect against certain cancers. Effect that would increase with the amount of tea consumed (up to 10 cups per day).

Studies have shown a correlation between green tea consumption and reduced risk of endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer onset or recurrence, and cancer of the liver. esophagus (especially in women).

EGCG (polyphenol present in green tea) is one of the main substances to participate in this preventive effect.

4. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease

Green tea reduces the risk of being a victim of cardiovascular disease.

A Japanese study showed the association between the consumption of green tea and causes of death such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer, conducted on 40,530 Japanese aged 40 to 79 years.

According to the authors of the study, people who consume 5 cups or more of green tea a day have a reduced risk of 26% after 7 years and 16% after 11 years of becoming victims of an illness. cardiovascular.

Other clinical studies have also shown that daily consumption of green tea can reduce blood pressure in obese people.

5. It is effective against condyloma

Green tea is effective in fighting benign external genital lesions called condylomas.

In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of an ointment containing 15% green tea catechins for the local treatment of condyloma acuminata.

Tested in people suffering from anal and genital warts, it has removed or regress wart in about half of cases. She also warned of their reappearance in a few cases.

6. It reduces the rate of bad cholesterol

Green tea would slightly lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

According to two studies conducted in 2011, catechins (the main antioxidants of green tea) reduce LDL cholesterol ("bad cholesterol") after 6 months in patients with hyperlipidemia.

These studies are in line with a previous study that reported that green tea or its catechins reduced "bad cholesterol", total cholesterol and triglycerides in people with general good health.