8 Proven Benefits of Green Tea

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Introduction to Green Tea

The percentage of tea drinkers in the world is the highest next to water. No other drink has gained so much popularity. Of which 78 % constitutes black tea drinkers, 20% are green tea drinkers and the remaining 2 % other varieties of tea.  

Green tea is the unfermented variety of tea, which is only steamed and dried unlike the normal black tea which is fermented.

Because of this process this tea does not loose its medicinal properties. Therefore, contains a very strong dose of anti-oxidants and beneficial polyphenols. This kind of tea has various therapeutic values.


The health benefit of anti-oxidants in green tea as compared to the black tea is due to the minimum processing.

Black tea preparation involves fermentation whereas green tea preparation avoids fermentation process. All kinds of tea made from the dry leaves of the Camellia sinensis shrub. The level of oxidation decides the type of tea.

Before I jump in to the various benefits of green tea, a quick info about the tea plantations in the world.

Where is Tea mainly cultivated?

Tea is cultivated in India – (Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiris and southern India), Ceylon, Taiwan, Indonesia, China, Japan, Africa, and Brazil.

Following climatic conditions are required to grow tea:-

• Temperature: 21°C to 29°C is ideal for the production of tea. High temperature is required in summer. The lowest temperature for the growth of tea is 16°C.


• Rainfall: 150-250 cm of rainfall is required for tea cultivation.


• Soil: Tea shrubs require fertile mountain soil mixed with lime and iron. The soil should be rich in humus.


• Land: Tea cultivation needs well-drained land. Stagnation of water is not good for tea plants. Heavy rainfall but no stagnancy of water, such mountain slopes are good for tea cultivation.

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Proven health Benefits of Green Tea

I have listed below what are the normal health benefits associated with green tea.

Most of the benefits of green tea are due to presence of abundant antioxidants and valuable nutrients useful for our bodies.

Green tea was earlier used in many Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding and heal wounds, help digestion, an aid to improve heart and mental health, and regulate body temperature.

1. Compounds in Green Tea Can Improve Brain Functions.

Green tea contains a certain percentage of caffeine. The percentages are well within the limits recommended for human beings. In fact, the percentages are also much lower than that available in coffee. They are sufficient to keep you stimulating without any side effects.

The effects of green tea caffeine have been intensively researched. It improves the various brain functions and brings about improved mood, alertness, quick response, and good memory power in most of the cases.

Green tea also contains an essential amino acid called L-Theanine, which together with green tea caffeine enhances the mind functions.(1)

L-Theanine is a rare amino acid that actually promotes a state of relaxation and wellness and improves brain functioning. While stress can induce beta waves in an excited and more agitated state, L-Theanine generates alpha waves, which gives a relaxed alertness.

Many people have opined after drinking green tea regularly that their energy levels are consistent than drinking coffee.

Researchers have also shown that chances of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s affecting the older people are prolonged.

2. Green tea contains bio-active components helpful for our health.

Green tea is abundant with powerful anti-oxidants and a rich source of important nutients. Flavonoids and catechins, which are polyphenols, do the function of anti-oxidants in green tea. These components can reduce the growth of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules damage.

In fact, anti-oxidants rejuvenate the dead cells and play the major role of anti aging and prevention of various diseases. One of the more powerful compounds in the green tea is Epigallocatechin (EGCG), an anti-oxidant responsible for controlling various diseases.

Antioxidants in green tea help in the eradication of the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. Therefore, green tea can have a protective effect against cancer cells.

However, you need to select the best variety, since some of the lower varieties can contain excessive amount  of fluorides that are harmful to health. But the benefits of green tea still far outweighs any health risk.

3. Green Tea helps weight loss.

EGCG, found in high levels in Green tea, has been proved to improve the stored fat burning capacity in to energy, as well as reducing the development of new fat cells. Other research has indicated that the catechins in tea increase the body’s rate of fat burning during exercise.

4. Green Tea kills bacteria and prevents tooth decay and bad breadth.

Plaque in the teeth, formed by certain kind of bacteria, can be arrested due to the catechins present in green tea. As a result prevents teeth damage and cavity formation.

5. Green Tea controls Diabetes

Studies have shown that people who drank green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce sugar levels. Therefore, green tea can lower the risk of diabetes in the long term.

6. Green Tea Decreases Risk Of Heart Diseases

Cardiovascular sickness such as middle sickness and heart stroke are the most important cause of deaths in the world. Research shows that, organic tea works on the liner of blood stream vessels, maintaining them comfortable and better able to keep up against changes in high stream pressure. It may also secure against the development of clots, which are the main cause of swings.

Antioxidants present in organic green tea helps in lessening the bad cholesterol in the blood stream vessels and keeps an effective rate of the good and bad cholesterol ratios. Thus, green tea has proved to be a good supplement to prevent heart diseases. The absence of this is a pathway to various heart diseases.

7. Green Tea Can Help You Live Longer

The presence of abundant amount of antioxidants in green tea has proved that green tea drinkers have lower risk of heart diseases, stroke and cancer. Therefore, it is clear that consumption of green tea can help you live longer. 

8. Effectiveness of Green Tea noticed in the improved texture of the skin.

In addition to the various health benefits of Green tea, it has also an impressive usage in skin and hair care.

Due to the presence of bioactive components, green tea improves the complexion and elasticity of the skin. Effects of drinking green tea daily can also be seen on the texture of the skin.

The skin becomes free from blemishes, wrinkles, scars and an improved glossiness. This anti-aging characteristic of green tea is mainly due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Excessive exposure of your skin to pollution, the sun, and other environmental reactions causes’ skin damage, which when treated using green tea beauty masks gives positive results.

Green tea rejuvenates the cells in the skin and gives very young looks. All the benefits of green tea proved and demonstrated on both animal and human studies by a 2003 study at various laboratories.

Antioxidant benefits in other types of green tea

Green tea, which is the latest trend amongst many health conscious people, has many grades based on the usage, and the method of preparation. After knowing the various benefits of this wonder drink, and to get the full benefits of green tea, there originated a special variety of tea called ‘matcha’.

Matcha is a special type of powdered tea grown and produced in Japan. During ancient Japanese period, monks brought the idea of powdered tea, and this eventually evolved into the traditional chanoyu ceremony. The tradition of drinking powdered green teas is still a popular tradition in Japan even though the cultivation and production methods are very costly.

Matcha is produced from the same plant camellia sinensis. Only the process of producing matcha varies from regular green tea where the leaves are unfermented, steamed and dried, oolong tea where the leaves are partially fermented, and black tea which is fully fermented.

Camellia sinensis have varieties, and some of them produce better matcha than other varieties. The highest grade matcha come from one of three Japanese varieties (samidori, okumidori, and yabukita in Japanese)These three varieties of the tea plant have been explored, selected for, and grown in Japan for more than 900 years.

Matcha green tea powder is more powerful and packed with a tremendous amount of anti-oxidants (EPCG), phenols, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.Check the nutritional and chemical composition of matcha here Matcha has 137 times the catechin (antioxidants) found in other green teas. Matcha stands topmost in the ORAC (1384) scale. Unlike, the usual steeped green teas brewed, matcha tea brewed without steeping has a full range of benefits and that is mainly because you consume the complete tealeaves. In steeped tea, more, that 50 % of the valuable antioxidants and minerals are lost along with the tea leaves making the drink less potent.

Ceremonial is the topmost grade available in the market. Only the top two tender leaves of the tea plant are plucked to prepare this grade of tea. This grade normally used to prepare the traditional Japanese drink. Many top sellers sell ceremonial grade matcha green tea powder. Each one varies in quality (the origin of the tea leaves) and cost. An analysis of cost is given in one of our reviews. Culinary is a lower grade. Here the rest of the leaves, buds, and stem are used to prepare the tea powder and because of this, it is usually less expensive. It is best used as an ingredient in food and/or beverages such as smoothies.

Concluding Message

Considering these 8 proven benefits of Green Tea, I recommend making green tea a regular part of your life. Chart out a healthy eating plan for maintaining healthy lifestyle.

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