Green tea is touted as one of the healthiest drinks on the planet. It is full of antioxidants that have many health benefits, which may include:
- Improve brain function
- Fat loss
- Cancer protection
- Reduce the risk of heart disease
There may be more potential health benefits. Here are 14 potential green tea benefits.
14 green tea benefits
Green tea has a range of potential health benefits. To help you feel better, lose weight, and lower your risk of chronic disease, you may want to consider making green tea a regular part of your life.
To get the most health benefits, avoid adding milk to tea. Some studies suggest that it can decrease the antioxidant value of some teas [s].
1. Contains healthy biologically active compounds
Green tea is full of polyphenol antioxidants, including a catechin called EGCG [s]. These antioxidants can have a variety of beneficial effects on health.
2. May improve brain function
Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee but enough to make an impact. It also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function [s, s].
3. May increase fat burning
Green tea may increase metabolic rate [s] and increase fat burning in the short term [s], although not all studies agree.
4. Antioxidants may reduce the risk of some types of cancer
Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that may protect against cancer. Multiple studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing various types of cancer such as:
- Breast cancer. A comprehensive review of observational studies found that women who drank a large amount of green tea had an approximately 20-30% lower risk of developing breast cancer, one of the most common types of cancer in women [s].
- Prostate cancer. One study noted that men who drank green tea were less likely to develop advanced prostate cancer [s].
- Colorectal cancer. An analysis of 29 studies showed that those who drank green tea had a 42% lower risk of developing colorectal cancer [s].
5. May protect the brain from aging
The bioactive compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on the brain. May reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's dementia [s], a common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly.
6. May reduce bad breath
The antioxidants (catechins) in green tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth [s], reducing the risk of bad breath [s].
7. May help prevent type 2 diabetes
Some controlled studies show that green tea may cause a slight decrease in blood sugar levels [s]. It may also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes [s].
8. May help prevent cardiovascular disease
Green tea may lower total and LDL cholesterol [s], as well as protect LDL particles from oxidation [s].
Studies show that people who drink green tea have a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease [s].
9. It may help you lose weight
10. It may help you live longer
11. May protect you from heart disease
A 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that green tea consumption is associated with lower mortality from all causes, including cardiovascular disease.
The study followed more than 40,000 Japanese participants ages 40 to 79 for 11 years, starting in 1994.
Participants who drank at least 5 cups of green tea per day had a lower risk of death (particularly from cardiovascular disease) than those who drank less than one cup of tea per day [s].
12. May protect you from cholesterol
An analysis of studies published in 2011 found that taking green tea, either as a beverage or in capsule form, was associated with significant but modest reductions in total and LDL or "bad" cholesterol [s].
13. May protect you from the risk of stroke
A study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association showed that drinking green tea or coffee regularly is associated with a lower risk of stroke.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Yoshihiro Kokubo, said, “This is the first large-scale study to examine the combined effects of green tea and coffee on stroke risk.
You can make a simple but positive lifestyle change to help lower your stroke risk by: The way to add green tea daily to your diet” [s].
14. May protect you from inflammatory skin diseases
A 2007 study concluded that green tea could hold promise as a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff.
The researchers studied an animal model of inflammatory skin disease, often characterized by patches of dry, red, and flaky skin caused by inflammation and an overproduction of skin cells.
Those treated with green tea showed slower skin cell growth and a gene that regulates cell life cycles [s].