Benefits of Green Tea: 7 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Thanks to the Chinese, green tea has been around for over 4000 years. According to numerous studies and medical reports, there are many health benefits attributed to drinking green tea. We reap the fruits of green tea because the leaves are less processed than other teas allowing the chlorophyll, amino acids, and flavonoids (antioxidant compounds) to remain and flourish. Because of this minimal processing, green tea’s unique catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), are more concentrated.

Once the green tea leaves are picked from the Camellia Sinensis plant, they are immediately cooked to prevent oxidization. Green tea is prepared using one of four main techniques, which are heavily based on region—steaming, pan firing, baking, and wok-roasting via wood or charcoal. In Japan, green tea is typically steamed resulting in a vibrant, green hue like Art of Tea’s Uji Gyokuro. The Chinese traditionally wok-roast the green tea leaves, which turn pale green, almost brownish as Art of Tea’s Dragonwell.

Take a look at 7 Benefits to Drinking Green Tea:

1. Routine intake of green tea may help promote healthy teeth and gums. A study by the American Academy of Periodontology suggests that green tea’s antioxidants may help reduce periodontal disease.
2. Green tea is recognized for its potential to combat and help prevent cancer. According to WebMD, green tea contains antioxidants called catechins, which contribute to removing free radicals that can damage DNA and lead to cancer, blood clots, and atherosclerosis.
3. Daily doses of green tea help reduce heart disease. In 2008, TIME Health reported that flavonoids in green tea help prevent clot formation and inflammation in body tissue reducing the risk of heart attacks. A study by Harvard Medical School concurs with findings that the antioxidants in green, black, and oolong teas can help block the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and improve artery function.
4. Green tea is vastly known as a weight-loss beverage. It contains polyphenols that are believed to help burn calories and aid in digestion thus, increasing one’s metabolism over time through regular consumption. Livestrong.com featured the green tea diet, which involves drinking green tea throughout the day instead of coffee or sodas. As seen on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Nicholas Perricone supports this diet saying that green tea helps cleanse the body and results in weight loss. On Oprah, Perricone suggested that substituting green tea for coffee can help cause significant weight loss.
5. It’s no secret that tea is calming. The amino acid, L-theanine found in green tea produces relaxation effects. Ease your mind and kiss your worries away with each cup. For the calming and relaxing benefits of L-theanine, Andrew Weil, M.D. recommends drinking green tea in moderation rather than taking a supplement.
6. Because Matcha green tea is essentially the whole leaves grounded into a fine powder, Matcha contains higher levels of amino acids, polyphenols, vitamins, catechins, as well as additional antioxidants compared to other green teas. Dr. Andrew Weil says, “Matcha is rich in catechin polyphenols - compounds with high antioxidant activity. The most important polyphenol in matcha is EGCG. (Additionally,) matcha has a significant amount of dietary fiber and practically no calories.” Try Matcha+ and Art of Tea’s Matchasticks to consume green tea’s optimal benefits.
7. Green tea offers a diverse range of flavors from vegetal and rice-y to sweet and fruity. Art of Tea creates a colorful selection of green teas to suit every palate. From more traditional blends like Gunpowder and Sencha to fruit fusions such as Meyer Lemon and Green Pomegranate, Art of Tea provides a wide array of enticing green tea blends.

Need we say more? After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage worldwide, so why not go green? Green tea is good for your mind and body. Just like they say, one cup of green tea a day will keep the doctor away. Check out Art of Tea’s Green Tea blends. 

The benefits of tea don’t stop here! Learn about all of its useful traits here.

Check out all of our resources on matcha and become an expert!

Want to learn more about tea? Check out our guide on all things tea here.