Green tea contains a wealth of antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, vitamin B, manganese, potassium, magnesium, and caffeine…
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, various enzymes, amino acids, vitamin B, manganese, potassium, magnesium, and caffeine… These compounds not only benefit health but also enhance the beauty of skin and hair.
The antioxidant properties of substances in green tea are the “key” to skin protection. (Photo: Pexels).
Beauty Care with Green Tea
Green Tea Aids Weight Loss: According to various scientific studies, green tea can increase energy expenditure by 4% and enhance fat oxidation by 17%.
Thus, green tea assists in weight loss by boosting the body’s metabolic processes. The compounds EGCG, caffeine, and flavonoids in green tea can enhance metabolism.
A type of flavonoid called catechin can help break down excess fat. Notably, caffeine in green tea is beneficial for burning fat and improving exercise performance. Therefore, combining green tea consumption with physical activity can significantly enhance fat burning and promote healthy weight management.
Skin Care: Green tea has long been featured in cosmetic products. The antioxidant properties of substances in green tea serve as a “key” to skin protection. Among all known antioxidants found in plants, the components in green tea are the most potent.
Antioxidants are agents that can combat the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are byproducts of the body that can damage cells and tissues. Antioxidants have the ability to neutralize free radicals before they can cause harm.
Green tea contains a high amount of polyphenols, a group of bioflavonoids that have been proven to possess antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Most polyphenols in green tea are catechins, which are the most effective agents against dermatitis and skin cancer.
Green tea has many health benefits and impressive beauty effects.
Anti-Aging: In addition to the aforementioned antioxidants, green tea is rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin A, and trace elements such as potassium and fluoride… These substances help prevent aging.
Catechins can inhibit bacteria, reduce inflammation, and create an environment conducive to healthy skin cell growth. Moreover, green tea plays a role in detoxifying and eliminating toxins from the skin, resulting in smoother, firmer, and brighter skin. Green tea also helps soothe the skin and mitigate damage from sunlight.
Furthermore, due to the presence of EGCG, green tea is considered the most effective antioxidant herb available today, slowing down the aging of cells and improving the body’s immune system. Regular consumption of green tea can slow the aging process.
Freshen Breath: Oral infections can lead to foul breath and discomfort, causing a lack of confidence in communication.
Green tea contains polyphenols that inhibit bacterial growth and reduce plaque buildup on teeth. This helps prevent a majority of oral diseases such as inflammation, swollen gums, and canker sores.
Additionally, fluoride present in green tea strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth strong and resistant to bacteria while reducing gum bleeding. The catechin compound helps control inflammation and combat infections.
The components in green tea also reduce acid levels in saliva, effectively preventing tooth decay. Tannins (polyphenols) in tea contribute to healthy, fresh breath, reducing the risk of infections and gum disease.
To prevent cavities and bad breath, it is advisable to rinse with green tea 2-3 times a day.
Green tea offers many health benefits and remarkable skin beauty effects. (Photo: Pexels).
Boost Mental Alertness: Vitamin B1 and caffeine are substances that can soothe the nerves, improve mental clarity, and enhance work efficiency. When the body is stressed and fatigued, drinking a few cups of hot green tea can elevate mood and stimulate nerve excitement, resulting in a refreshed mind and body, alleviating fatigue and lethargy.
Green Tea for Health Protection
Green Tea Supports Cardiovascular Health: Some clinical studies have found that consuming 4-5 cups of green tea daily can reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which can prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol—the primary culprit behind atherosclerosis.
Notably, the antioxidant Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may help prevent atherosclerosis by reducing plaque buildup in arteries. EGCG also enhances metabolism, aiding in maintaining a healthy weight.
In addition, green tea improves endothelial cell function in blood vessels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and death from heart attacks or strokes.
Drinking green tea daily supports cardiovascular health. However, a 250 ml cup of green tea contains about 40 mg of caffeine. This compound can stimulate the nervous system, so it is advisable to avoid drinking tea in the afternoon and evening to prevent sleep disturbances. Furthermore, avoid adding sugar to green tea as it can diminish its benefits.
Reduces Cancer Risk: Studies show that the antioxidant EGCG binds to a specific protein found on tumor cells, significantly slowing the growth of malignant cells.
In research published in the Journal of Structural Biology & Molecular Biology (USA), researchers demonstrated the anti-cancer potential of EGCG against lung cancer cells.
In this study, scientists examined how EGCG affects a protein found on the surface of cancer cells known as the laminin receptor. Treatment with the polyphenol EGCG resulted in a significant reduction in the growth of malignant cells.
Researchers found that the concentration of antioxidants needed to produce these anti-cancer effects is equivalent to what is found in the body after drinking just 2-3 cups of green tea. Other studies have also shown that consuming more than 2 cups of green tea daily can reduce cancer risk by up to 46% compared to non-consumers.
Reduces the Risk of Diabetes: Green tea inhibits amylase enzymes produced by saliva glands and the pancreas during starch digestion, consequently slowing the rate of glucose metabolism into the bloodstream. Furthermore, green tea has been shown to help regulate insulin, thereby reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
Increases Longevity: In a study involving 40,000 adults over 11 years in Japan, individuals who consumed 5 cups of green tea daily had a significantly lower mortality rate compared to those who consumed less tea.
Scientists recommend that an adult weighing around 65 kg should drink approximately 2-3 cups of green tea daily. It is advised not to overconsume, as excessive green tea intake can lead to side effects.
Brain Protection: Green tea not only improves short-term brain function due to its natural caffeine content but also enhances memory in older age and helps prevent age-related neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
In research published in the Journal of Neurology (USA), scientists examined the effects of the highest doses of antioxidants in green tea on Alzheimer’s disease in mice. After several months of daily EGCG injections, the neurons of treated mice produced 54% less beta-amyloid protein compared to neurons from untreated mice.
Dr. Jun Tan, a neuroscientist at the University of South Florida, stated: “The concentrated EGCG component of green tea can reduce the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. If beta-amyloid in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease is similar to the pathology of Alzheimer’s in humans, then supplementing the diet with EGCG could be effective in preventing and treating the disease.”
