Tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world, second only to water, and it has been cultivated for centuries.
Dr. Mercola writes about the history of this delicious herbal beverage:
“Ancient Chinese legend has it that tea brewing began 5,000 years ago when an emperor noticed an enticing fragrance wafting from a container of boiled water into which leaves had fallen. Unable to resist sipping the brew, its delightful flavor instigated such a national passion that during the Teng Dynasty of 618-907 A.D., white tea was a household staple, purchased in bricks and ground in a mortar. Japanese monks visiting China carried tea leaves home, inspiring the concept of ceremonial tea and infusing itself into the Japanese culture. The 4 o’clock tea ritual became an institution in 17th century England.
Today, tea is the essence of all things refined, embodying renewed energy, a meeting of minds and a sense of well-being in a civilized society. It not only symbolized status in ancient Chinese cultures, it was — and perhaps is — the tonic for every ill.
The white-flowered evergreen from whence tea leaves are gathered is grown in 50 countries, representing 50 species. China leads in abundance; Japan in quality.”
Green tea is undoubtedly among the most beneficial drinks one can consume, due to the high concentration of polyphenols. It fights free radicals and protects our body from the damage due to environmental, genetic, and dietary factors.
It is also an excellent source of alkaloids, vitamins A, D, E, C, B, B5, H, and K, manganese, selenium, zinc, and chromium.
These are the benefits of the daily consumption of green tea:
1. Lowers Cholesterol
The antioxidants in green tea may prevent cholesterol absorption in the intestines and protect LDL particles from oxidation, which contributes to heart disease and stroke. Furthermore, green tea considerably raises good cholesterol (HDL) in humans as well.
2. Lowers Risk of Heart Disease
Studies have shown that green tea slows down or even prevents atherosclerosis, caused by the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in the arteries. Green tea leads to a 31% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, and 10% lower risk of a heart attack.
3. Lowers Blood Sugar Level
Japanese researchers have shown that people who drink the most green tea have a 42% lower chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.
4. Improves Liver Health
Due to the presence of catechins, green tea can reverse the negative effects of alcohol on the liver and prevent the development of liver tumors.
5. Weight Loss
Green tea accelerates metabolism and thus speeds up weight loss and the process of burning fats. Moreover, it contains a phytonutrient called EGCG which boosts the levels of a hormone that promotes feelings of fullness.
6. Improves Digestive Health
Green tea is a potent anti-inflammatory, so it relieves symptoms of digestive issues due to inflammation in the body, like ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and Crohn’s disease.
7. Improved Cognitive Function
Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland showed that the consumption of green tea “enhances memory performance, a finding that researchers suggest may have important implications for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, including cognitive impairment.”
Additionally, researchers have found that this beneficial drink can help you treat colds and the flu, various skin conditions, prevent dental cavities, fight arthritis, and treat genital warts.
