Top 6 Health Benefits of Green Tea

Understanding the Wellness Potential of Green Tea

Green tea isn't just a tasty treat, it’s also filled with antioxidants and bioactive compounds that provide you with numerous health benefits.

It’s renowned for everything, from boosting metabolism to assisting with weight loss to enhancing brain function.

At Buddha’s Cup, we love the wellness benefits found in a cup of green tea, so we assembled a list of the top 6 health benefits. 

1. Boosts Metabolism and Weight Loss

The main antioxidants found in green lea are catechins, which help protect cells from damage from free radicals. An abundance of free radicals can damage other molecules, leading to cancer and other illnesses.

These catechins also promote fat oxidation and thermogenesis.

Green tea also aids in weight management and calorie burning when paired with a balanced diet and exercise.

Enhanced Fat Oxidation

Fat oxidation is the breaking down of fats into smaller molecules that can be used for energy. This process is completed via enzymes, which can be enhanced by green tea catechins. 

When fat oxidation is increased, you can experience weight loss.

Regulation of Appetite Hormones

With catechins and caffeine, green tea has been shown to modulate hunger hormones like ghrelin and leptin.

By reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness, losing weight becomes easier.

Promotion of Thermogenesis

Green tea enhances thermogenesis, the body's process of generating heat, due to its catechins and caffeine. This increases metabolic rates and the amount of calories burned.

Sources: National Cancer Institute, Upside Strength, Healthline, Healthline

2. Improves Heart Health and Lowers Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases

Tea leaves, used to create green tea, contain antioxidants like epigallocatechin (EGCG) which help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. High levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease.

EGCG also prevents plaque buildup in the arteries, which is a condition that can block blood flow or cause blood clots.

These green tea properties reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.

Find your perfect cup of tea and shop from Buddha’s Cup’s tea collection.

3. Enhances Brain Function and Cognitive Health

Caffeine and L-theanine, which is an amino acid that can improve mental function and decrease anxiety and stress, combine in green tea to promote alertness and cognitive function.  

Green tea also influences memory and attention.

There is also evidence that green tea may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Source: WebMD, National Library of Medicine

4. Supports Immune System Function

Green tea is full of polyphenols and flavonoids that have antimicrobial properties. These stimulate the immune system to help fight off illness and infections.

All teas, including white tea, contain these antioxidant-rich immune-boosters.

Antimicrobial Properties

The green tea polyphenols, commonly known as catechins, exhibit antimicrobial activity which helps fight various pathogens because the polyphenols are potent antioxidants.

These antioxidants also help combat infections and strengthen the body's defense mechanism.

Immune Cell Stimulation

Green tea also stimulates the production of immune cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages, which allow the body to recognize and kill off foreign cells and bacteria

Anti-inflammatory Effects

Due to the high levels of polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory properties, green tea can help reduce inflammation throughout the body. By relieving symptoms of inflammation, overall immune health improves. 

Sources: National Library of Medicine, WebMD

5. Promotes Digestive Health and Gut Microbiome Balance

The catechins in green tea have been linked to increasing digestive enzyme activity and improving gut health. These help digestion, decrease bloating and gas, reduce inflammation, and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

Support for Digestive Enzyme Activity

The polyphenols present in green tea polyphenols facilitate the activity of digestive enzymes, which help break down food particles and aid nutrient absorption.

You can also find health benefits in herbal teas, such as hibiscus tea.

Alleviation of Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Green tea's anti-inflammatory properties can soothe digestive issues like bloating and indigestion, which reduces irritation and discomfort.

Enhancement of Beneficial Gut Bacteria

Green tea can support the growth of specific beneficial gut microbes while hindering the development of others. The gut bacteria can produce more molecules increasing the health benefits.

Having a balanced gut microbiome is crucial for digestive health and overall well-being.

Sources: National Library of Medicine, Everyday Health

6. Enhances Skin Health and Aging

The antioxidants in green tea are very highly potent and help neutralize free radicals, which protects skin cells from damage.

The polyphenolic compounds can decrease inflammation in the skin and prevent skin cancer.

Green tea also supports collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and firmness. It also reduces the signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and sun damage.

Source: Healthline

Green Tea Has Multiple Benefits

If you're looking to improve your overall well-being and vitality, incorporate green tea into your daily routine.

With diverse health benefits, including positive effects on metabolism, heart health, and cognitive function, making green tea a staple in your diet is essential.

Buddha’s Cup has a variety of teas that you can buy today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of green tea?

Green tea, full of nutrients and antioxidants, has a ton of health benefits, including boosting metabolism and digestive wellness, improving cardiovascular health, enhancing cognitive function, supporting the immune system, and creating healthy skin.

How does green tea boost metabolism?

Using antioxidants called catechins and caffeine, green tea can assist in speeding up fat oxidation and decreasing appetite, both of which support a faster metabolism, sometimes leading to weight loss.

How does green tea support the immune system?

Using the highly potent antioxidants, green tea stimulates the immune system to better fight off infections and illnesses while fostering the growth of new immune cells.

Can green tea help my skin?

Yes! The antioxidants can help decrease stress oxidation which can cause signs of aging in the skin.