Tea for weight loss is a subject that has gained a lot of attention over the past decade or so. As more people have become interested in getting healthy, they have ditched the super fancy bottled drinks for the more economical and healthier homemade versions. As a result there has been an increase in the number of weight loss teas available. These teas range from black tea to green tea and oolong tea. While black tea is most often thought of as being the healthiest tea, green tea has many health benefits. The latter has gained a lot of popularity recently as it can help to naturally control appetite and boost metabolism.
One of the healthiest tea in the world is oolong tea. It is an oolong tea that has been processed. This process results in a tea that has twice the amount of antioxidants as compared to other teas. Green tea, which is often drunk without added water, also contains antioxidants, but green tea is the healthiest tea by far due to the high level of polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that are very powerful.
An Overview
The reason for the extra polyphenols in green tea is that it has been processed very differently than traditional teas. When green tea is uncooked it contains about 70% caffeine. In order to preserve the natural flavor it is steamed. By doing this the caffeine level is reduced and this in turn gives the tea a sweeter flavor. People tend to like the taste better when drinking green tea rather than traditional teas.
Scientists have discovered that polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. These chemical compounds work to rid the body of harmful free radicals, which are caused by everyday environmental factors and oxidation. Studies have shown that drinking tea on a regular basis can help to lower your chances of developing heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. It can also help to protect your body from damage caused by alcohol.
Health Benefits of Tea
In some studies conducted by Chinese researchers, the potential health benefits of tea were studied. The results of this study showed that drinking three cups daily can reduce the level of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, which is the substance that forms clots that can lead to heart disease. In addition, the polyphenol content found in this tea may be effective in preventing cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a condition that causes the memory loss related to the central nervous system. Although it is still early to believe, the possible connections between tea and these diseases may provide enough evidence to support its use as a health supplement in the future.
Because of the antioxidant properties of polyphenol rich tea there are also some claims that it has an anti aging effect. There have been numerous studies that have been performed to test the effects of tea on human subjects. Most of these studies have proven that drinking four cups of green tea daily can reduce wrinkles in the skin of test subjects. This is the most beneficial effect to have so far reported. Since aging is a natural process that every person goes through, it is hard to say how much tea will actually slow down the aging process. However, it is possible to enjoy the health benefits of teas while at the same time having a healthy looking appearance.
Another of the health benefits of this beverage is the anti-inflammatory properties. During periods where people experience inflammation, they typically drink more tea. Researchers believe that this is due to the fact that tea can act as an anti-inflammatory. In one of the published studies, the authors noted that people who drank the most green tea actually had lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in their bodies. These chemicals are needed to aid the body in fighting off infection, which is what causes swelling.
Bottom Line
Green tea also has catechin polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that can protect against heart disease, cancer, and other health problems. One of the flavonoids contained in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), also has antioxidant activity. This specific component of green tea has been found to inhibit the formation of plaques in arteries, which can result in the formation of cardiovascular disease. When combined with the polyphenols, there is an optimal blend for improving overall health and preventing cardiovascular disease.
