Green tea is the most consumed type of tea in today’s tea. It is also called non-fermented tea. It is a tea made after tea leaves are harvested (a kind of heating process), twisting, and drying. Since it is not fermented, it can be retained. A variety of tea polyphenols and vitamins in tea.
Do you know green tea benefits and side effects?
Green tea is famous for its green tea soup and green leaves. The most effective one is Catechin. It is also the main source of astringency in tea soup. Drinking green tea is not only a spiritual enjoyment but also health and disease prevention.
In addition to its excellent antioxidant effect, it can also remove excessive harmful free radicals in the body, and has various effects such as preventing cancers, cardiovascular disease, lowering body fat, and prolonging life.
Table of Contents
- What are the benefits of green tea (catechins)?
- Are there any side effects of green tea (catechins)?
- Where to buy the highest quality green tea products?
What are the benefits of green tea (catechins)?
1. Good for cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease can be said to be the number one killer threatening human life, and 63% of the causes of the early death of adults (aged 15-69) are related to it. It takes about ten million precious lives every year, especially in the severe winter season. Hair period.
The main risk factors for cardiovascular disease are abnormal blood glucose metabolism, high blood pressure, high blood fat, smoking, and aging.
A meta-analysis (including 9 studies with a total of 259,267 participants) pointed out that those who have the habit of drinking green tea can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular-related diseases and related ischemic diseases (such as stroke, brain Infarction, myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage).
The underlying mechanism is related to the abundant plant flavonoids in green tea, which has the effects of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and maintaining the stability of vascular endothelium.
2. Cancer prevention
Cancer is currently most people’s fear of health issues, even more, terrifying than aging, terrorists or dementia, but in fact, cancer is also one of the diseases, but it is not easy to be discovered, once it has abnormalities, it is usually In the later period, life is threatened.
Many comprehensive analyses pointed out that under some circumstances, the habit of drinking green tea can reduce the risk of various cancers including liver cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and cholangiocarcinoma, etc., although the exact mechanism is not clear. But it may be related to the following
- Inhibits the NF-κB inflammation factor and promotes cancer cell apoptosis: NF-κB is also known as the main program of cancer, and is the key to cancer cells’ continuous expansion and escape from immune cell pursuit.
- Anti-cancer angiogenesis and prevent metastasis.
- Activate Nrf2 transcription factor, increase detoxification and antioxidant capacity: Nrf2 transcription factor is also known as the anti-oxidant commander, can activate a variety of detoxification enzymes and antioxidant proteins, remove excess free radicals and carcinogens in the body, can be said to be a natural detoxification agent.
Another prospective study (prospective study, 11-year follow-up period, 164,681 men) also observed that the rate of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer risk of green tea drinkers was significantly lower than that of non-drinkers.
3. Reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction
Affected by the declining birthrate and medical advancement, most advanced countries are faced with the aging of the population, and the deterioration of functions caused by aging, such as cognitive impairment and even dementia, has become an urgent issue of concern.
There are many early symptoms of dementia. One of them is cognitive impairment. Some people may start to forget and become susceptible to getting lost. Some people may become anxious and become prone to conflict with others.
A meta-analysis of literature (including 17 studies, 48,435 participants) pointed out that ingesting tea beverages can help reduce the risk of cognitive dysfunction. After further consideration of the types of tea, it is found that the effect of green tea is the most significant (a drop of 36%), which is superior to black tea and oolong tea.
The dose-effect analysis also found that for every 100 ml, 300 ml, and 500 ml of daily tea beverage consumption, the risk of cognitive impairment will be reduced by 6%, 19%, and 29%, respectively.
The underlying mechanism is related to the antioxidant and anti-amyloid protein production of polyphenols in green tea.
Summary: It has been confirmed by population observation studies that drinking green tea can reduce the risk of cognitive deterioration, but it is still to be further verified by more randomized clinical studies in the future.
4. Lower liver index (for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
The liver is an important factory for digestion, absorption, and decomposition of fat, and fatty liver refers to a disease in which liver tissue is about 5%-10% filled with fat, causing liver inflammation, fibrosis, and even liver cirrhosis. The prevalence rate is adulthood About 40% of people.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) refers to the fatty liver caused by non-drinking alcohol, mainly caused by obesity, followed by drugs, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc.
In a study on non-alcoholic fatty liver patients (the number of samples was 71, the liver index ALT and AST exceeded the normal value), taking green tea extract, the main component was catechin (500 mg daily for 12 consecutive weeks)can significantly reduce the patient’s ALT, AST liver damage index.
The author also mentioned after the conclusion that the mechanism behind lowering the liver index is related to the fact that the catechins in green tea can reduce the oxidative stress of liver cells and improve fat metabolism (abnormal fat metabolism causes oxidative stress to rise is one of the reasons for the formation of the fatty liver ).
5. Good for type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is currently the fastest-growing disease, especially in Asia. This is due to genetic relationships. Even if you don’t gain weight, the prevalence of Asians is generally higher than that of Europeans and Americans.
A Japanese study found that those who regularly drink green tea can reduce the incidence of diabetes by 42%. At the same time, other studies have pointed out that drinking green tea does have the effect of inhibiting the liver synthesis of glucose, lowering blood sugar, and improving insulin sensitivity.
6. Help lose weight (especially belly fat)
Losing weight is a topic that never goes away, especially for office workers. Sitting for too long will not only affect the metabolism but also cause fat accumulation in the abdomen and buttocks, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer several times.
In a number of randomized controlled studies, it has been found that drinking green tea in addition to accelerating metabolism. It also has the effects of weight loss, body fat reduction, and abdominal fat elimination.
7. Extend the life and reduce mortality
Although the progress of medicine has greatly increased the life span of human beings, various chronic diseases have reduced the quality of life, and even lying in bed, so how to be free from illness to end of life is the focus behind.
As mentioned above, often drinking green tea can reduce the incidence of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, so it can effectively prolong life and reduce the mortality rate of all ages.
A large observation in Japan (for 40,530 men and women), drinking 5 cups of green tea a day, can indeed significantly reduce the mortality caused by various reasons (especially the most significant reduction in the risk of stroke).
Are there any side effects of green tea (catechins)?
The Chinese have been drinking green tea for 3,000 years. When consumed in moderation, green tea is considered a very safe tea drink. However, it should be noted that most green tea contains caffeine. If you overdose or are sensitive to caffeine, you may have headaches, Insomnia, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, arrhythmia, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, liver and kidney disease, anxiety, pregnant women, nursing mothers should avoid drinking green tea. Patients with anemia, diabetes, glaucoma, and osteoporosis should also consult a doctor or dietitian before drinking green tea or taking related health products.
As for green tea extract health foods, most of them contain catechins, and catechins are generally regarded as safe doses within the recommended amount of the bottle. No side effects have been found, but it should be noted that pregnant women, abnormal liver and kidney functions, and those taking any drugs, please avoid using Green tea extract health food to avoid unknown risks.
Where to buy the highest quality green tea products? (Recommended)
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