Go Green!

I've recently been drinking green tea everyday and It's not for the taste that's for sure! I've been told it's really good for you so thought I'd give it a try. It's really helped me to keep my weight in check when I can't help but eat anything I can get my hands on, my bad...
I wanted to look into some other benefits green tea has to offer and did some research!!

I found out that green tea originated from China and has been used as medicine for centuries ever since. Green tea has these many benefits due to the processing. The processing of green tea doesn't allow fermentation whereas the beloved PG Tips does. Why does everything bad for you taste so damn gurd?!
The process of green tea is what allows it to keep it's maximum amount of antioxidants and poly-phenol's which is the reason for it's many benefits, such as...

1. WEIGHT LOSS- green tea helps increase metabolism. The poly-phenol increases fat-oxidation levels and the rate in which your body turns food into calories.

2. SKINCARE- apparently the tea also helps wrinkles and any signs of aging due to the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities.

3. ANTI-VIRAL AND ANTI-BACTERIAL- the catechins found in green tea are strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial agents meaning they are effective for treating a range of diseases from the flu to cancer!

4. TOOTH DECAY- the chemical antioxidant 'catachin' is also said to destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections and tooth decay.

5. DEPRESSION- The amino acid 'theanine' is naturally found in tea leaves and it thought to give a relaxing and calming effect.

6. BLOOD PRESSURE- reduces the risk of having high blood pressure.

7. CHOLESTEROL- green tea reduces the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good to bad.

8. DIABETES- The tea helps regulate glucose levels and slows down the rise of blood sugar level after eating.

9. ALZHEIMER AND PARKINSON DISEASE- the tea delays the deterioration caused by these diseases. A study on mice showed that green tea protects brain cells from dying and restores damaged brain cells too.

10. ESOPHAGEAL CANCER - green tea can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in particular but it also thought to kill cancer cells in general without destroying the healthy tissue that surrounds it.

11. HEART DISEASE- It is thought by scientists that green tea works on the lining of blood vessels and helps them relax so they are better equipped to deal with changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against blood clots which are the main cause of heart attacks.

These 11 benefits are crazy but 'when it's too good to be true it usually is' -this phrase has proved me right so far and green tea makes no exception. Green tea contains caffeine and 'tannins' which decrease absorption of iron and folic acid so if you're pregnant this may not be the tea for you.

But for the rest of us the only thing about this hugely beneficial beverage is the taste. But don't fret, the Twinings collection has made that a little bit easier with the selection of green tea's infused with different fruits such as cranberry and my personal favourite- apple&pear.

Try it out and let me know what you think :)

With love, Stef

xxx