Improve Your Heart Health
If heart disease runs in your family or you have a fear of it, you may want to consider having a daily cup of green tea to potentially lower your risk of developing it. Research has shown that active polyphenols in green tea may lower people's risk of cardiovascular diseases.
A 2022 scientific article found that drinking green tea regularly has "beneficial effects on different health aspects including weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipids," especially when paired with a healthy diet and exercise.
This is because the compounds found in green tea are responsible for a "decrease in cardiovascular disease risk." Green tea has also been known to keep your blood pressure under control, so if you struggle with high blood pressure and are looking to make healthier swaps in your life, consider ditching your sugary, dairy-filled morning coffee for a warm, pure mug of the powerful tea.
Boost Your Metabolism And Help You Lose Weight
Many health experts and coaches have recommended drinking green tea for added weight loss benefits. For many people, it's like a 'secret weapon,' as it contains substances that can assist in boosting your metabolism and breaking down fat cells.
In her article for Healthline, Kris Gunnars noted a 2020 review found that "consuming at least 500 milligrams of green tea extract daily for 12 weeks helped reduce body weight and BMI."
"The authors concluded that green tea may help promote weight loss when combined with eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly," she continued.
Increase Your Energy Levels And Improve Cognitive Function
Some people are too afraid to replace their morning coffee with green tea, as they often assume there is insufficient caffeine to support them throughout the day. However, that's not the case! Green tea, like coffee, is an excellent source of caffeine and can give you a natural energy boost.
An 8-ounce cup of green tea can contain between 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine, which is only about 30 grams less than a cup of coffee. So, if you're drinking 2 to 3 cups of green tea a day, you can still get your caffeine fix while reaping the benefits from the herbal tea. Over time, drinking a daily cup of green tea can also help improve your brain health and cognitive function.
A study from 2020 found that "habitual tea consumption, especially high-frequency and green tea consumption, was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older individuals."
The Best Way To Prepare And Consume Green Tea
If you're open to drinking a nice, warm cup or two of green tea each day to see how these benefits could potentially impact your life and health, there are a few recommendations for how to make it to get the most out of it.
Instead of buying store-bought, premade green teas that are potentially loaded with sugar, look for high-quality packages of dried green tea blends and brew your own cups at home. When making a warm mug of green tea to drink right away or use for homemade iced tea, use boiling water and let it steep for at least five minutes for all the antioxidants.