A cup of green tea is the healthiest beverage that you could take. It contains vitamins, anti-oxidants, and minerals which offer a myriad of benefits to your body. It is produced from Camellia Sinensis leaves which are heated for a short time by use of a pan or through steaming. They are then dried to prevent further oxidation which would see them turn color thus interfering with their flavor. Health enthusiasts drink it for the following reasons
Benefits
- Green tea contains a stimulant known as caffeine which enhances concentration, alertness and brain function.
- Polyphenol antioxidants and catechin like Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) help in reduction of inflammation, fighting cancer, prevention of cell damage, and fighting pre-mature aging.
- Catechin destroys bacteria in the body including in teeth for improved dental health. It also lowers the risk of infections by fighting viruses like the flu virus.
- It is highly involved in fat burning and enhanced metabolic rates. People who continually consume green tea can shed and maintain low body mass.
When not to take it
Despite its high consumption rate, very few people know when to drink it to be able to get all the benefits without causing unnecessary harm to their bodies. Most people take it as the first thing when they wake up, but this shouldn’t be the case. Taking green tea on an empty stomach increases acidity levels which may lead to the development of ulcers and dehydration due to the caffeine component in it.
Taking green tea during meals is not advised as it prevents the absorption of nutrients in the body. Caffeine and tannins in the tea are inhibitors of proper absorption. The tea also dilutes the gastric juices causing an incomplete digestion process.
Though its caffeine levels are low as compared to other types of teas, drinking green tea before going to bed will most likely interfere with your sleep patterns as it tends to cause increased alertness. If you love your sleep, shy away from green tea 1-2 hours before going to bed because its diuretic nature will have you visiting the washroom in between the night.
When to take it
Consume green tea in-between meals. It is best to drink it 2 hours before or after a meal as it provides enough time for the body to absorb nutrients in foods before you take in green tea which contains antioxidant catechins which hinder absorption of nutrients by the body.
Recommended quantity to consume
As seen above, green tea has numerous benefits to consumers. In fact, people who drink it regularly are much healthier and become sick less as compared to people who don’t. However, to everything, there is a limit, and in this case, it is three to five cups per day. Exceeding that quantity will mean you have an excess of caffeine in your system which may lead to insomnia, restlessness, anemia, and stomach upsets.
How to enhance its fat burning ability and increased metabolic rate to your advantage
Most people use green tea as a tool to lose weight. This, however, is not enough as you need to include clean eating and exercise to get rid of that excess weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle while at it.
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