Today, green tea is considered the healthiest beverage on earth and many health conscious people drink it on daily basis to stay fit and healthy. Studies have found many potential health benefits of drinking green tea, including some that can slow down aging process and increase longevity. This includes improved brain function, lowering the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s, eye disease, premature aging of the skin and risk of cancer etc. This is because green tea is prepared from the unfermented leaves of Camellia Sinesis plant that have highest level of antioxidants. The polyphenols like Catechins and flavonoids contained in green tea functions as powerful antioxidants reduce the formation of free radicals in our body and neutralize the free radicals to protect the cells and molecules from getting damaged. When there is a cut down on free radicals, the aging process automatically slows down. The powerful compounds like Gallate (EGCG) contained in green tea have been found to fight various diseases and might be the reason that green tea has such powerful anti-aging properties.
Health Benefits Of Green Tea
1. Supports Healthy Digestion
Healthy digestion is the foundation of a long and full life. Studies reveal that the powerful antioxidants contained in green tea may be the reason for digestive health that green tea promotes. The polyphenol contained in green tea helps to regulate digestion and supports healthy bacterial growth. It also helps in balancing bacterial growth in the gut. [1]
2. Aids In Weight Loss
Drinking green tea helps slow weight gain and helps maintain an ideal weight with its massive range of antioxidant activity. The EGCG contained in green tea boosts metabolism whether you drink green tea or take it as supplement. Caffeine contained in green tea also work as stimulant and accelerates fat burning process. Drinking green tea on regular basis and moderate exercise will help you reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other degenerative diseases. [2]
3. Reduces The Risk Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Multiple researches show that green tea has the potential to prevent and even reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease occurs when brain cells get damaged and are gradually killed due to oxidative stress. This is caused by plaque buildup of toxic protein called amyloid beta. Researchers found that catechins contained in green tea protects from Alzheimer’s disease by restricting formation of amyloid plaques, breaking down existing plaques and creating new neurons in the brain. [3]
4. Protects Against Bone Loss And Arthritis
Multiple studies suggest that the powerful antioxidant compounds of Green tea can protect against bone loss and reduces the risk of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. When the bone cells are exposed to catechins; particularly EGC, it stimulates mineralization that promotes bone growth. The flavonoids also act to inhibit the formation of cells that leads to collagen and cartilage destruction in the joints. Cultivating the habit of drinking green tea on daily basis may help you to avoid aching of the joints by improving bone and joint health. [4]
5. Protect Against Eye Diseases
Drinking green tea may help to improve your eye health. Eye disorders are common complaints as we age. The powerful antioxidants called flavonoids in the tea leaves destroying the free radical can help to protect your eyes against age related eye disease like cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Specifically, the flavonoid gallocatechin collecting in the retina protects the retina from harmful UV rays of the sun. Flavonoid contained in orange, peppers, spinach and kale performs the same function that is acting as sunscreen for protecting the eyes. Laboratory tests conducted showed that antioxidants contained in green tea get absorbed deep inside the eye from the blood and reduce oxidative stress providing protection against these eye diseases. [5]
6. Fights Signs Of Skin Aging
The harmful free radicals cause significant damage to the skin. The polyphenols in green tea helps to neutralize these free radicals which accelerate the aging process. The anti-inflammatory effect delays the signs of skin aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin and age spots. Studies confirm that Catechins present in green tea may also protect the skin from sun exposure and help to protect against skin cancer. Topical application of green tea acts as excellent moisturizer and reduces aging signs by cleansing the skin. [6]
While there is no magic to achieve youthfulness and longevity, green tea has excellent potential to fight the effect of aging. While the quality matters, matcha green tea which is highly concentrated and nutritious is considered the best anti-aging drink.