Surprising Science-Backed Benefits of Green Tea
Wondering if green tea is good for you? Here, find science-backed health benefits and what to know before drinking the ancient type of caffeinated beverage.
From your head to your stomach, green tea health benefits are vast. But, how is green tea good for you? While all teas are high in antioxidants, green teas (including matcha, jasmine, and hojicha) tend to contain the highest levels. It’s precisely these compounds that may fight oxidative stress in our bodies and help reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Evidence also suggests that green tea can rev your metabolism and aid in weight loss. It also has been shown to boost brain health and keep the mind alert and active with caffeine—but without worsening anxiety. Though further research is needed to reach a definitive list of pros, there’s a great foundation to suggest whole-body benefits of the tea. So get those tea bags and leaves ready and start steeping.
Green tea benefits
1. Burn fat and boost metabolism
Simply swapping in unsweetened green tea for sugary sodas, lattes, and fruit juices helps slash hundreds of calories per day from your diet. But it’s not just the calories that matter. The tea contains catechins, potent antioxidants that research shows can significantly decrease body weight and significantly maintain body weight after a period of weight loss. Another study found that participants who drank tea high in catechins twice daily saw a decrease in belly fat, dropping an average of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 2.6 pounds of body weight. In particular, the power combo of catechins with caffeine is thought to boost metabolism, although more research needs to be done to bolster this claim. One study suggests that catechins plus the caffeine in green tea can help accelerate the rate at which your body burns fat.
2. Improve memory, focus, and mental clarity
Green tea not only has the capacity to help the body, but it may also benefit the mind. Research shows that this superfood could rev your memory, help with focus, and reduce anxiety. That’s thanks to the duo of caffeine and L-theanine, an amino acid found in tea (green tea has the most). L-theanine slows down the absorption of caffeine and can mitigate some of the common side effects of the stimulant, such as nervousness and jitters. When caffeine and L-theanine join forces, they can help produce sharper focus and mental clarity. A study found that participants who took L-theanine performed better and faster on attention tasks.
3. Reduce blood pressure
Green tea is good news for the ticker. A study showed that compounds in both green and black teas relax blood vessels, which may help reduce blood pressure. The effect is modest, however, so those with serious hypertension likely won’t see drastic changes. Still, drinking green tea may be a positive step toward improving heart health. Another study of more than 40,000 Japanese adults found that those who drank more than five cups of green tea daily were 26% less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke compared to those who rarely consumed the brew. But, five cups may translate to a lot of caffeine, so keep this in mind.
4. Help cholesterol levels
Nearly one in three Americans is battling high cholesterol. The antioxidants in green tea may be able to help. A study concluded that tea consumption was associated with slower decreases in the “good” heart-helping HDL‐C cholesterol as a person ages. Meanwhile, analysis from another study suggests that green tea may significantly lower LDL (a.k.a. “bad”) cholesterol in the blood. It’s thought that’s because the tea is rich in catechins, a family of flavonoids that can thwart the production and absorption of cholesterol.
5. Protect against cancer
Green tea vs. “the big C”: A review found that consuming green tea is associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, including those of endometrial, esophageal, lung, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, oral, and ovarian. The key? Polyphenols, plant compounds found in tea that can help protect cells from cancer-causing damage by neutralizing free radicals. While all teas contain polyphenols, the green variety boasts the highest concentration. Note, however, that results are inconsistent as other studies have found mixed results.
6. Help insulin sensitivity for better blood sugar
If you’re one of the nearly 100 million Americans in danger of having diabetes, keep reading. Studies suggest that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity, helping to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. But, other research found no beneficial effects for diabetes, so more research needs to be done.
7. Reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
A cuppa could keep dementia at bay. A study concluded that green tea had favorable effects on mitigating the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. These findings support other research that suggests that the EGCG and L-theanine in green tea boost brain health. Still, more studies on humans need to be done to strengthen these assertions.
8. Stave off stroke
A stroke can come on quickly without any warning signs. However, you can take steps to help prevent its onset. A study found that drinking at least three cups of green tea a day could reduce the risk of stroke by up to 20%. Those odds increase the more green tea you drink.
9. Help oral health
Along with brushing and flossing, dentists may start recommending sipping. One review concluded that “drinking green tea at meals and at breaks is a relatively easy habit and can improve the oral health status.” It specifically called out the high levels of polyphenols as having a beneficial role in preventing certain periodontal and oral disease. The research is preliminary, however, and more studies on humans are necessary.
10. Increase longevity
Studies in Japan showed that consumption of green tea is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and death from a cardiac cause. Even moderate consumption decreased the risk of total cancer and respiratory disease mortality in women.
What happens to your body if you drink green tea every day?
With so many potential health benefits, it’s understandable to want to make sipping green tea a daily habit. At the very least, it’s a great replacement for sugar-laden drinks, like sodas and juices. While there should be minimal side effects to drinking one cup every day (mainly those that come with consuming caffeine), some groups will want to consult their physician or a nutritionist when drinking large amounts (like five cups) a day.
How much green tea should I drink?
Most of the evidence-backed findings suggest that drinking three to five cups a day is necessary to unlock the benefits. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider about any concerns over caffeine content and drinking too much green tea.
Is green tea good for weight loss?
Studies indicate yes. Researchers have found that drinking green tea can boost metabolism, help burn fat, and keep off any pounds you've shed.
When should you not drink green tea?
People with anemia, diabetes, glaucoma, or osteoporosis should consult their healthcare provider before drinking green tea. The caffeine in tea can disrupt sleep so it’s best to avoid drinking it near bedtime.
What’s the best way to make green tea?
Green tea should not be brewed at boiling temps, which will burn leaves and make them taste bitter. Between 160° to 175°F is the ideal temperature for the water. If you don’t have a thermometer on your kettle, simply boil water and cool it down with cold water.
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