For more than a millennium, society highly values and loves green leaf tea for its rich range of beneficial properties. This attitude makes you seriously think about whether beneficial substances are actually present in this drink. We will try to answer the question of whether green tea is harmful or healthy. The topic is quite relevant and interesting.
It is well known that this type of tea is a natural antioxidant and helps our body get rid of harmful chemical toxins and heavy metals. Due to this valuable property, it is recommended to drink it in almost all pathologies, including for the prevention of cancer. For example, the ancient Chinese healers considered this drink miraculous and used it to treat high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, heart diseases, and other ailments.
Modern healers and scientific medicine also have no doubt in the amazing healing qualities of tea tree leaves. But do not forget that the drink (in excessive quantities) can harm a person. How to decide whether green tea is harmful or healthy? To do this, you need to know everything about its contraindications, composition and dosage. Today we will find out.
The composition of the healing drink
30% green tea consists of a mixture of several tens of polyphenolic compounds (catechins, tannins, as well as their derivatives). In terms of tannins and essential oils, black tea is almost several times inferior to green. It is also worth mentioning the presence of valuable alkaloids in the composition of the drink, which have a beneficial effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems. They also have a mild diuretic and vasodilator effect.
Amino acids (e.g., glutamic) are found in the leaves. They are responsible for the normal course of metabolic and metabolic processes. In addition, this important element helps restore the central nervous system. There are many protein, inorganic and mineral substances in tea leaves (iodine, gold, manganese, calcium, copper). It should be noted the presence of carotene (vitamin A), which ensures the smooth operation of the lungs, urogenital sphere, bronchi and vision. The product is rich in nicotinic, ascorbic and folic acids, riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1) and vitamin K. Green tea is a real storehouse of valuable substances. It is recommended to use it for freshness of the skin of the face, health of the body and strength of mind , since the drink supports youth, maintains health and gives strength.
The best varieties
Choosing a really high-quality product is very problematic. Only in China produce more than 1,500 species. No one can say for sure how many varieties are there, but what good green tea from the assortment provided can be determined. The quality of the product depends on many factors: the type of tea tree, the climate zone, processing, collection, care technology, leaf shape, as well as taste, color and aroma.
Today, most manufacturers add various flavors and harmful chemical dyes to green tea in order to arouse the greatest demand among visitors. You can determine the presence of foreign elements in the composition: a falsified drink leaves marks on the mug. In order not to get hooked by scammers, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most famous varieties, such as Tencha, Chun Mee, Lung Ching and Tung Chi. They are appreciated for their refreshing taste, thick aroma, rich color, transparent infusion, a pleasant and long aftertaste.
Brewing ceremony
In order for the drink to delight in taste and bring benefits, you should be able to properly prepare it. Only pre-purified (filtered) water brought to a boil is used. Pour it into a clean kettle and warm its walls, then drain. Pour loose tea (150 ml - 1 dessert spoon) and leave under the lid to infuse for 10 minutes. Before drinking green tea, it is not forbidden to add honey or milk to it for taste. The longer it stands, the richer and more tart it will become.
In order to preserve all the medicinal properties in the drink, the water temperature should not exceed 80 ° C. By the way, you can brew up to four times leaf green tea. This drink is harmful or healthy, experts all over the world are still finding out. But one thing is certain for sure: it has tonic, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating properties. But in large doses, it can lead to stone formation in the kidneys.
For the prevention of cardiac pathologies
It has been repeatedly proven that regular use of the drink several times reduces the likelihood of heart disease. It helps flush out cholesterol plaques and makes blood vessels more elastic. In addition, tea improves the biochemical composition of blood plasma. It has been proven in practice that a natural drink accelerates the breakdown of the fat layer, removes salts, fights high blood pressure, normalizes endocrine processes and interferes with weight gain (reduces appetite).
In Japan, there is an ancient recipe for atherosclerosis: two eggs must be taken on a dessert spoon of chopped leafy green tea. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and drink immediately. Use no more than once a day. You can take green tea in bags, after emptying the contents. “Egg Drink” helps improve health, lower cholesterol and cleanse blood vessels.
We fight colds - increase the body's resistance
Based on the huge content of rutin (vitamin P) in the leaves of the tea tree, the drink is indicated to be used to enhance immunity. In combination with raspberries or a coltsfoot plant, a natural remedy for bronchitis is obtained. And with the addition of honey and lemon, you will get a delicious healing infusion with a diuretic and diaphoretic effect. Take it at high temperature, sore throat and weakness.
Can I drink green tea for gastrointestinal diseases?
It is not only possible, but also necessary to use it in order to prevent intestinal disorders. Drink tea should be half an hour before a meal. A cup of a delicious drink stimulates bile secretion, reduces high acidity, improves the production of enzymes and increases the tone of the gastrointestinal tract.
It will also help to cope with pancreatitis, impaired metabolism, colitis and peptic ulcers. To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, walnut shells are used: a small spoon of tea and five walnut partitions are taken in a glass, everything is poured with boiling water and infused for about ten minutes.
We defeat oncology
Catechins and tannins contained in the leaves of a green tree suppress harmful substances that give rise to cell mutations, naturally radionuclides, preventing their penetration to the bone marrow. It is known that the drink prolongs our youth and health due to the content of antioxidants, and also protects our cells from malignant neoplasms and the harmful effects of pathogenic microorganisms. Green tea is especially useful for men - with its daily consumption, the risk of prostate cancer is reduced. It is such a valuable quality that is the answer to the exciting question of whether green tea is harmful or healthy.
Cosmetic properties
The beauty industry is actively applying tea tree leaves in different directions: for rejuvenating, cleansing and toning the skin. Some recipes came to us from our ancestors and are widely used in beauty salons. A natural product does wonders for the skin, making it shine.
Rejuvenates cells and eliminates damage to the epithelium of green tea. Reviews of women who have used this product on themselves claim that it improves the structure of the skin, smoothes deep wrinkles, and returns elasticity, velvety and smoothness. It’s not necessary to visit salons for this, you can quickly and easily prepare masks, lotions and creams at home. Green tea for the face is very healthy. To narrow the pores and moisturize, wipe the area of the neck and face daily with cubes of a frozen drink.
Soothing Lotion Recipe
Take a glass of mineral water, boil it, mix with a spoonful of green tea leaves and a pinch of sugar. Pour the prepared liquid into a sterile flask and wipe the face daily from contamination. A homemade cosmetic product removes oily sheen, slightly dries, refreshes and makes the skin soft.
Moisturizing mask
Mix a spoonful of leaf tea (grind) with the same amount of cream or sour cream. Apply the resulting mixture to a cleansed face, hold for 15 minutes and rinse. The procedure is carried out 1-2 times a week.
Oily Shine Scrub
Combine the strong tea leaves with egg white, hercules flakes and a drop of lemon juice. Hold for 10 minutes. After the procedure, it is advisable to lubricate the face with a moisturizer. Green tea for the face in the form of a mask narrows the pores, removes redness and refreshes.
Cleansing mask
Mix a spoonful of grapefruit juice with a spoonful of chopped tea and egg yolk. Apply with a brush or sponge, hold for 7-10 minutes.
Helps rejuvenate, improve skin color and eliminate minor defects of green tea. The recipes of cosmetics based on this product are simple, and their preparation does not take much time. Qualitatively - does not mean expensive!
Now about the harm
After many years of experience and research, experts came to the conclusion: excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks negatively affects the vessels of the brain. Caffeine is present in green tea, so the recommended dosage should not be exceeded. It is allowed to drink up to three of its mugs per day.
The following side effects can trigger a drink: insomnia, arrhythmia (palpitations), hypertension. Persons with increased nervousness need to reduce the dosage to a minimum. Tea with gout and glaucoma is contraindicated.
With special care, pregnant women should drink it. Green tea should be completely discarded during breastfeeding (it can reduce the amount of milk). Too strong a drink should not be drunk during an exacerbation of chronic gastritis, renal failure and peptic ulcer. It is also necessary to exclude it from your menu for people suffering from osteoporosis, liver damage and thyroid diseases.
A large amount of caffeine interferes with the absorption of calcium, and this increases the risk of cracks and bone fractures. Abuse of this drink will negatively affect the skin condition (the complexion will become dull with a yellow tint, small blood vessels will begin to stand out). It is not recommended to give it to children under the age of ten.
Remember that in a strong drink there is even more caffeine and purine compounds, so do not get carried away with it, so as not to harm your own health. Doctors do not recommend taking it after alcohol and on an empty stomach (increases acidity). Green tea contains a lot of tannins (antioxidants), which when uncontrolled use disrupt the liver.
Adhere to measures, and trouble will pass you by. Here we have fully figured out whether green tea is useful or harmful. The drink has more advantages, but do not forget about the minuses.