October 11th, 2008

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The Benefits of Green Tea

Saturday, October 11th, 2008

I quit drinking coffee back in February.  I did love my morning coffee.  Two cups.  Every.  Single.  Day.  I have read recently there are some benefits to drinking coffee.  I’m sure there are, but I won’t be going back to it.   Coffee has a knack for aggravating breast cysts.

I switched to green tea, which still has caffeine but significantly less.  There are also many benefits to drinking green tea.

  • contains polyphenols (such as catechins, quercetin)
  • phytohormones
  • flavonoids
  • polyphenols that may help skin
  • antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral
  • anti-inflammatory
  • antiaging
  • may protect against cancer (studies in many areas on this)
  • may help lower cholesterol
  • promising as a weight-loss aid
  • may help burn fat
  • may help regulate blood sugar and insulin
  • reduces clotting tendency
  • may protect the heart
  • may protect against cavities

I say “may” do this or “may” do that because it just seems safer.  I’m no doctor and can make no guarantees about anyone’s health or longevity.   I just know how much better I feel since cutting the coffee and switching to green tea.   I also dropped a good number of pounds without trying very hard, and the only permanent change I have made is adding green tea.

A note about milk in tea:  it may bind with the flavonoids in the tea, reducing the amount of flavonoids available to benefit your body.

Why am I sharing this today?  Just because.  Because I love my green tea.

One note of caution:  There are reports that green tea plants take fluoride from the soil and from water and store it in their leaves, which in turns ends up in your tea cup.  This is significant because some studies show that consuming fluoride may have a negative impact on the thyroid gland.  Just FYI. 

Lynn

Posted in Aging Beautifully, Breast Health | 9 Responses »