Considered by many to be one of nature's healthiest beverages, green tea is rich inantioxidants that could help fight off heart disease and cancer. Made from unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea is also lower in caffeine than other caffeinated beverages (offering about 8 to 30 mg per cup, compared to 100 to 350 mg per cup of coffee) and contains the amino acid L-theanine (shown to induce relaxation and relieve stress in preliminary research).
A number of studies are exploring the benefits beyond green tea's heart-healthy, anti-cancer, stress-reducing effects. Here's a look at some of the most promising findings so far.
1) Healthy Teeth and Gums
In a 2009 study, scientists sized up the periodontal health of 940 men and found that those who drank green tea on a regular basis had healthier gums than participants who skimped on the drink. For every cup of green tea sipped daily, in fact, there was a significant decrease in several indicators of periodontal disease (such as bleeding upon probing of the gum tissue).
Past research also indicates that drinking green tea may help avoid tooth erosion.
Another 2009 study suggests that drinking green tea each day can significantly slash your risk of stroke (the third leading cause of death in the United States). In reviewing nine studies on a total of nearly 195,000 people, researchers found that three daily cups of tea reduced stroke risk by 21%.
What's more, consuming three more cups a day appeared to decrease stroke risk by an additional 21%.
Drinking green tea could preserve your brain power as you age, according to a 2006 study. The study's authors looked at tea consumption2009.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.
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