What are the benefits of green tea?

what you need to know

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What are the benefits of green tea?

There are many health benefits of drinking green tea. Green tea, which is produced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, has been found to have many health benefits. These benefits include being: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, even neuro-protective, and has shown benefits in cardiovascular disease.

Green tea is composed of several key compounds including polyphenols and flavonoids. The main flavonoid you probably have heard of is EGCG. EGCG has made the news because it has been found to be very beneficial for many reasons including help to inhibit oxidative stress, promote anti-inflammatory properties, and be neuro-protective. A recent study looked at rats who had sciatic nerve injury and after being treated with EGCG, showed faster motor function, nerve repair, and improvement in sensory recovery. EGCG has been found to be a potent stimulator of regeneration after nerve injury because of its antioxidant properties and inhibition of free radical formation. This can be a game changer for those with neuropathy.

When is the best time to drink it?

The best time to drink it, is in the morning or late morning, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine. Even though the amount of caffeine in green tea is less than compared to coffee or even black tea, it still can affect those who are sensitive.

Any side effects from drinking it?

According to the research, there are more beneficial properties of green tea than reported adverse events from consuming it. However, some reports of adverse events are when people consume the extract in high doses, not drinking the tea itself. Something to be on the lookout for when consuming green tea is caffeine. Even though it is a lower amount than black tea or coffee, it still can produce anxiety, affect sleep, or create nervousness.