The Green Tea It is a drink that provides numerous benefits to the body thanks to the amount of antioxidants that make it up, in addition to supporting the mental well-being of people. Although the body produces antioxidants naturally, these are not enough for all the negative entities that we are subjected to on a daily basis. This is why, the green tea is an important complement in the routine to improve the body’s defenses.
Green tea properties
One of the wonders of this drink is that it lacks calories due to the absence of sugars, as well as it does not contain carbohydrates or fats. Its components rich in vitamins and trace elements such as fluoride, copper and zinc cooperate with the correct functioning of the body, complementing the well-being of the body.
What do antioxidants in the body react to?
Antioxidants develop in the human body by natural response to:
- Tobacco
- An unbalanced diet
- Constant exposure to ultraviolet rays
- Eating foods with preservatives or large amounts of chemicals
- Specific drugs or chemical treatments
- Pollution of the environment
- Overexertion
Green tea with its antioxidant properties helps fight these negative effects on the body and helps with its cleansing.
Health benefits of green tea
Including green tea in the nutritional routine, either in the morning or as a night drink, brings numerous benefits to the body. Following some of its health benefits:
Prevents cardiovascular diseases
Green tea has an effect on blood vessels by activating their lining, which keeps the vessels relaxed and better supports blood pressure. In addition, due to its high antioxidant content, it is a natural regulator of bad cholesterol in the blood. For this reason, it is considered to help prevent heart problems.
Reduces the presence of arthritis
It works as an anti-inflammatory, which makes it an ideal companion for people suffering from arthritis, as well as a preventive treatment for its onset.
Reduces Cancer Risks
Green tea helps prevent cancer in people. It is not in itself an anticancer, but its regular consumption allows the body to eliminate toxins and prevent the appearance of cancer cells or their reproduction.
It is still not clear why this happens with this drink, but it is considered that it is due to the amount of polyphenols it has in its composition, as a substance that fights harmful free radicals.
Fight aging
Aging is an inevitable process that we all have to go through sooner or later, but the impact of wrinkles on the body can be softened due to the benefits of green tea. Popularly speaking, green tea is known as a drink for eternal youth because of the powerful amount of antioxidants it contains. The direct application of its leaves on the skin helps reduce damage caused by long exposures to the sun.
Stimulates metabolism
Among the properties of green tea is its power of oxidation, and as a health benefit, it helps to lose weight by stimulating the metabolism. It helps burn calories and is a natural diuretic. By itself it does not have such strong effects, so it is recommended to accompany it with a healthy diet and exercise.
Lowers blood glucose
As an ally to treat type II diabetes, green tea helps in the regulation of glucose in the blood. When ingested after eating, it helps with insulin levels in the bloodstream, which also helps reduce fat stores.
It is hepatoprotective
Green tea extract reduces the accumulation of fat in the liver, which is why it benefits the proper functioning of the liver. In addition, it increases the speed of transformation of fat into energy for the body.
Strengthens bones
Another of its benefits is the protection of bones with the production of fluoride for the body. For people who want to take care of their bones, spine and hips, it is recommended to consume green tea regularly.
Strengthens memory
To improve cognitive function, it is advisable to drink green tea, as it helps to generate neuronal cells. This process known as neurogenesis, is responsible for processing information in both short and long-term memory.
How to prepare green tea
This tea can be ingested as a hot or cold drink, and even be accompanied by lemon or mint, but to get the most out of its properties and health benefits, you have to take some considerations such as:
The water’s temperature
If the water is very hot then the tea will lose some of its pleasant taste. On the other hand, if the water is very cold, it is not possible to extract all the compounds from its leaves. The natural flavor and sweetness of green tea come from a specific amount of amino acids, while the bitter essence is provided by tannins or polyphenols.
The amino acids dissolve at 60ºC and the tatinos at 80ºC. That is why, if you want a sweeter taste, it is best to prepare green tea at a low temperature.
Your time on the water
Green tea does not require a long time in the water. If you want to prepare tea in leaves, it is advisable to wait a maximum of 3 minutes. Longer time in the water and heat will make the taste more bitter in the end. For commercial sachets the time varies between 1 to 2 minutes.
The only thing that must be taken into account is the balance between the soaking time in water and the temperature of the same. The lower the temperature, the longer the soaking time, it is necessary to test.