For most tea lovers, it’s either black tea or green tea in their cups. However, research has shown that it’s more beneficial to take the latter than the former. But, how comes? Even though both types are produced from the same plant (Camellia sinensis), the processing is different. While black tea is derived from leaves that are totally fermented, green tea is 100% non-fermented. For this reason, green tea tends to contain more antioxidants and caffeine.

The antioxidants are known to promote health benefits which range from cell repair to disease prevention. As for caffeine, which is the primary stimulant, it’s associated with brain alertness and quickness. Due to these nutrients, the health benefits of green tea can’t be matched by any other herb. Therefore, it’s advisable to consider it over black tea. So as you can appreciate the benefits of green tea, here are 9 reasons to drink it:

1. Aids in Weight Loss

Are you struggling with obesity or weight gain? If you haven’t tried green tea, it’s time you do so. Studies have shown that taking green tea regularly helps to shed body fats, more so around the abdomen. Simply, it helps you to achieve a desirable figure. Actually, green tea is a natural physical performance-enhancer. It boosts your metabolic rate so as you can have higher energy expenditure. This simply means that your workout rate improves tremendously and you are able to burn fats quickly and tirelessly.

2. Makes You Look Younger

Often, you are identified as young or old depending on how your skin looks. So, if your skin is wrinkled and has dark spots, you’ll appear older. Fortunately, you can reduce such skin effects by taking green tea. Additionally, brain conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer are known to be associated with old age. However, taking green tea may help to prevent them or slow down their effects. Through catechin, an antioxidant present in green tea, the risks for having these neurodegenerative diseases is reduced.

3. An Enemy of Cancer

Though cancer is said to have no cure, there’s actually no better cure than prevention. This is what green tea gives you. Due to its amazing antioxidants, green tea helps to slow down the proliferation and development of cancerous tissues. Some of the notable cancers that can be prevented by green tea include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cancer of the prostate. Though most research needs to be done to support this benefit of green tea, the findings so far look promising. In as far as modern medicine is concerned; no negative effects have been reported by cancer patients who regularly take green tea.

4. A Friend of the Brain

You probably have heard that tea stimulates your brain. Now, taking green tea even makes things better. As a stimulant, the caffeine in green tea produces the same effects as the caffeine in coffee. The difference, nonetheless, is that there are no jittery effects with green tea. The caffeine in green tea helps to block the performance of Adenosine, an inhibitory factor. As a result, the neurons become fired up and beneficial neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and dopamine improve in concentration. In the end, you become more alert and sharper. Basically, your brain functions are massively boosted.

5. Improves Bone Strength and Growth

A few years back, researchers from Hong Kong University did research on the role of catechin on bone health. They found out that the antioxidant which is prevalent in green tea helps to boost bone growth and development by about 79%. Moreover, catechins were found to help strengthen the bones. The antioxidants are able to achieve this by improving bone mineralization. Basically, they help your bones to use beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium much better. This means that these mineral are well distributed and absorbed.

6. Slows Down Diabetes

Those who develop diabetes usually have one common problem – insulin resistance. This is where green tea is effective. Studies show that taking green tea enhances insulin effectiveness by decreasing its resistance. Since insulin is naturally produced, you are able to regulate blood sugar naturally. In this case, you don’t have to depend on insulin medications. In the end, it becomes easy to not only slow down diabetes but to avoid it entirely. Generally, all you need to avoid diabetes is to have control over your blood sugar. This is normally the work of insulin, the hormone that’s boosted by green tea.

7. Promotes Dental Health

In your mouth, your gums and teeth are normally attacked by bacteria that grow out of the food particles left there. This is why it’s normally recommended to regularly brush your teeth. But if you want a quick fix to your dental issues, then you should take green tea. It has catechins that are known to kill oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and dental cavities. Actually, medical experts argue that catechins particularly target Streptococcus mutans. The microorganism is associated with dental carriers, bad breath, and other oral issues.

8. Better Vision and Eye Health

Based on a 2010 publication, green tea is good for your eyes. In fact, the publication shows that green tea not only improves your vision but also prevents eye disorders. These functions are highly associated with the antioxidant catechin. Once you take green tea, the antioxidant is directed to the eye to exert its effect. On the eyes, catechin prevents oxidative effects. This protects your eyes from damage and low vision.

9. Great for Your Heart

Lastly, green tea brings numerous benefits to your heart. For one, it’s known to offer protection against hypertension, heart disease, and several life-threatening heart conditions. According to studies, green tea reduces risks such as triglycerides and bad cholesterol that are associated with cardiovascular diseases. This means it’s able to reduce death associated with these diseases by a significant margin. This is all because of the presence of catechin antioxidant. Two, catechin is known to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol within the heart. This significantly lowers the risks of stroke and hypertension. Furthermore, green tea has anti-inflammatory effects on your heart and this is important against heart irritation.

Closing Thoughts

Looking at green tea, it’s free from sugars and calories and is packed with healthy nutrients. Basically, taking the beverage regularly means adding more healthy days to your life. So, if you have been thinking of how to step up your immunity naturally, one way to do it is through the consumption of green tea. Though your taste buds may not like it, your heart, brains, and other organs will definitely reap its benefits.