A third of adults in the United States have trouble getting the recommended amount of sleep. While some gravitate towards a cup of warm milk to help them sleep better, others find it more enjoyable to have a cup of green tea instead.
Does drinking green tea truly help you get a good night’s sleep? What are the other advantages of having some green tea before bed? This article will give you the skinny on all that and more.
Improves Sleep Quality
Green tea has L-theanine, an amino acid that decreases stress levels and fends off anxiety. The L-theanine in green tea helps people relax and get better sleep.
However, it’s interesting to note that experts are a bit divided on this advantage. While some agree that a cup of green tea allows people to improve sleep quality, others find that green tea has more caffeine than other teas, possibly disrupting sleep for those more sensitive to it.
Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is associated with heart disease and stroke. It’s a type of cholesterol that can coat blood vessel walls when it’s in excess. Drinking green tea can address this issue.
Green tea was found to have polyphenols that reduce total cholesterol, LDL, and blood pressure levels. Therefore, incorporating tea in a lifestyle that features a balanced diet and regular exercise greatly decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and related deaths.
Lowers Cancer Risks
In addition to improving cardiovascular health, drinking green tea often is found to have a significant effect on preventing certain cancers. Some studies report that frequent green tea drinkers have a lower risk of developing breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
The hero found in green tea that lowers cancer threats is the cocktail of antioxidants inherent in the drink. These antioxidants, especially the EGCG and the ECG, are excellent free radical busters and cell protectors. The polyphenol in the drink also inhibits the spread of cancer and even cancer cell death to an extent.
Promotes Weight Loss
One of the most recognized advantages of green tea is its fat-burning capabilities. Many studies have shown the effect that green tea has in reducing a person’s body weight, total body fat percentage, waistline, and abdominal fat.
Green tea contains two things that promote weight loss: catechin and caffeine. The two work together to boost a person’s metabolism. An increased metabolism allows people to burn more calories even at rest. It creates a caloric deficiency that can lead to weight loss.
Enhances Brain Function
A lesser-known benefit of drinking green tea regularly is its effect on improving brain functions. Some studies suggest that some green tea compounds can fire up the neurons and enhance brain functions related to memory, reaction time, and vigilance.
The caffeine and L-theanine in green tea were found to make this possible individually. However, the combination of the two created a synergistic effect that made their results more powerful.
Conclusion
The skinny on green tea is this: it’s a fantastic drink to incorporate into your daily life and not only before bedtime. Various studies have proven the wonderful health benefits of drinking green tea, from enhanced sleep quality to cancer prevention. You would miss out on all these extraordinary advantages if you don’t add drinking a nice cup of green tea into your diet.
However, it’s important to remember that too much of a good thing is bad. Having about three to five cups of green tea together with regular exercise and a balanced diet puts you in a healthier disposition.
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