The Wonders Of Green Tea And What It Does For You
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

The Wonders Of Green Tea And What It Does For You

Green tea can help make you smarter.

167
The Wonders Of Green Tea And What It Does For You
Healthline

When we think of green tea, we imagine the spout of an oriental pot filling a glass with steaming liquid of a minty hue. A hand reaches for the glass. The hand is that of a young individual with a great physique. We tend to associate green tea with youthful, fit individuals. But why?

“Umm, it has antioxidants...?” This was the overwhelming response I received from twenty of my friends when I posed the question, "Why do people drink green tea?" When I asked them if they actually knew what antioxidants were, all of them responded with something along the lines of, “Well, they're good for you.” What I gleaned from this informal survey is that many people know that green tea is beneficial for one's health, but we are only superficially aware of its healing power. So, what is it really that makes green tea a miracle drink for human health and wellness?

First of all, let’s define “antioxidant." According to Nutrex Hawaii, antioxidants are substances that, “prohibit (and in some cases even prevent), the oxidation of other molecules in the body.” This means that antioxidants help remove free radicals from the bloodstream. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that form through respiration of oxygen that can cause damage to the body if they are not properly regulated. In short, free radicals make us age, and can cause diseases, including cancer.

Now that we understand what antioxidants are, we can confidently say that green tea is a powerful drink. In fact, the liquid is loaded with flavonoids and catechins, polyphenols that act as antioxidants, which can eliminate free radicals. Green tea possesses remarkable medicinal properties, but that is not all that green tea has to offer.

In fact, green tea can help make you smarter. The liquid contains both a moderate amount of caffeine and the amino acid, L-theanine. Since caffeine can stimulate the brain and L-theanine has the ability to stimulate dopamine (the neurotransmitter linked to the feeling of happiness), and relieve anxiety, together the substances can help you think more clearly. Another incredible fact is green tea’ can help people lose weight, a side effect from which I have personally benefitted.

Green tea has the ability to boost your metabolism (the relative number of calories you burn in a given period of time), anywhere from 3-11%, meaning it can assist weight loss and lower the risk of obesity. Multiple studies have confirmed that the beverage can decrease body fat, especially in the abdomen. Last summer, I decided to test out green tea’s fat burning abilities for myself. For 8 weeks, I consumed four cups of green tea per day and lost 8 pounds!

Green tea is a miracle drink. It can do everything from neutralizing harmful free radicals that risk the health of our organ systems to stimulating our brains and helping us think. It can even decrease body fat. The beauty of green tea is that all it takes is a plop of a tea bag into hot water to experience the magic.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41064
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25614
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951096
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

133947
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments