Health Benefits of Green Tea: Healthy Infusion
Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks in the world. We tell you what are its best properties and the easiest ways to include it in your day today.
Green tea is synonymous with good health. Thanks to its multiple properties, it can help prevent diseases and infections and is a great ally to combat stress and aging. We tell you what are the benefits of green tea in all its presentations and we share some simple recipes for you to add to your day today.
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Green tea benefits
Many wonder what green tea is and how it differs from other varieties. For starters, green tea comes from a plant called Camellia Sinensis. Its cultivation began many years ago in southern China and, from there, it began its expansion worldwide due to its multiple benefits.
Tea making begins with the drying of the Camellia leaf. Once all moisture is lost, heat is applied to stop oxidation. It is thanks to this process that its benefits expand and the benefits for human health expand, something that various scientific studies have confirmed in recent years.
Green tea: properties
Green tea is rich in Polyphenols and Antioxidants. These substances help fight skin aging and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, since it contains theine, it is a great ally to stay awake and reduce fatigue.
So that you know the most important thing about green tea, properties, and benefits, we have compiled this list with the 7 most outstanding qualities:
1. Helps maintain heart health
One of its main virtues is that it contributes to cardiovascular health. Consuming green tea regularly, coupled with a balanced diet and moderate exercise helps care for the heart.
It is because this type of tea contains a high amount of antioxidants that help regulate “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood, preventing it from becoming fixed in the blood vessels. In addition, it prevents the formation of clots, helping to improve circulation and reduce the risk of suffering a heart condition.
2. It favors digestion.
The essential oils that make up green tea generate an increase in the flow of gastric juices. Thanks to this, digestion is facilitated and gases and the feeling of bloating are reduced.
A cup of green tea at the end of meals is a good way to take care of your digestive system.
3. It prevents cavities.
Green tea has Catechins. These natural antioxidants help prevent cell damage, maintain good oral health, and reduce bad breath and inhibit the formation of bacteria that can lead to cavities.
4. Protect your liver.
The accumulation of liver fat is a risk that green tea can help fight. Its antioxidant power collaborates to prevent the synthesis of fat in the liver and helps improve its function.
In addition, it is a good ally to achieve the transformation into the energy of the nutrients that are incorporated with food.
5. It helps you improve skin.
Having healthy and radiant skin is possible. The use of soaps, creams, and shampoo with green tea extract can help you reduce and prevent the effects of UV rays. In addition, it will serve for the following aspects:
- Increase hydration and decrease the roughness of the skin.
- Heal burns and wounds.
- Reduce the redness of the skin in the presence of psoriasis.
- Decrease dandruff.
- Reduce the effect of acne-causing bacteria.
6. Improve memory.
Numerous studies have shown that green tea can help improve cognitive ability, especially for short-term memory. Why? The action of the polyphenols present in the infusion enables a better connection between the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain.
Furthermore, the bioactive compounds in tea make it highly beneficial in preventing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Some studies report that consuming infusion or green tea capsules can facilitate learning and improve concentration.
7. Manage stress and anxiety.
Green tea has an amino acid called L-theanine that acts on the central nervous system. Its main benefit is to provide a relaxing effect and is used to treat anxiety and improve the relationship with the external environment.
What is Matcha
When we talk about green tea and its benefits, we cannot fail to mention Matcha. Unlike other types of tea, it has its leaves ground in such a way that they become a fine powder that must be dissolved in a liquid medium to be consumed.
But what is the benefit of ingesting matcha? Properties are similar to those of green tea due to its large amount of antioxidants. The great difference between the two is that, due to its fluorescent green color and its powder texture, matcha has been able to be incorporated into countless preparations in the gastronomic world with great success. It can be incorporated into smoothies and frappés, juices, cakes, and cookies.
Drinks with green tea and matcha
Green tea is very versatile. Thanks to its mild flavor, it can be included in various drinks. For example, you can prepare a relaxing infusion for after dinner or, perhaps, a refreshing drink with matcha for a hot afternoon.
We present 4 options so you know how to drink green tea and find which is your favorite option:
1. Green tea with ginger and lemon.
Place one teaspoon of green tea strands, one lemon slice and one ginger slice in a cup. Bathe the entire content with hot water at 80 ° and let it rest for 2 minutes.
Pass the content through a strainer and add a tablespoon of honey. Stir and enjoy it. Ideal for a relaxing moment before bed.
2. Green tea and apple smoothie.
In the blender jar, mix:
- 1 cup cold green tea
- ½ apple.
- 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt.
- Ice cubes.
Blend all the ingredients until the desired texture is achieved. It is perfect for a sunny afternoon.
3. Matcha and melon smoothie.
To prepare this ideal smoothie for the summer, you need to mix:
- Juice from an orange.
- Melon cut to taste.
- A tablespoon of matcha.
- A good amount of ice.
Beat in your blender at high speed until you achieve a foamy texture. The result is a tasty, fresh and colorful smoothie.
4. Matcha latte.
This recipe is becoming a classic of some chains dedicated to the sale of coffee and tea. I learned how to prepare it by following these simple steps:
1) Place one and a half teaspoons of powdered matcha in a cup.
2) Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of hot (non-boiling) water and stir until powder is dissolved.
3) Heat milk without boiling it. If you like sparkling you can use an electric frother or the frother of your coffee maker.
4) Pour the milk into the matcha preparation and, over it, the foam of it.
Ready! Your matcha latte is ready. You can also make it cold, pouring the preparation into a jar with ice and liquefy it to make it frappe.
With small details, great results are achieved. Incorporating green tea into your breakfasts, snacks or snacks is an easy and delicious way to add healthy habits and fill your days with energy.