The plant Camellia sinensis yields three types of tea based on the level of fermentation: green, white and black. Green Tea (unfermented) is steamed to stop oxidation by air and is considered to have more health benefits than black and white tea.
Green Tea is a good beverage for weight loss and weight maintenance as it is a low-calorie drink. It is rich in catechins that increase metabolism and fat breakdown and inhibit lipid absorption. Thus, it can easily be adopted as a morning beverage or can be consumed before and after meals to accelerate the process of weight loss. Consumption of 2 to 4 cups of Green Tea is sufficient for weight loss and other health benefits.
Green Tea is also beneficial for skin health. It aids in better blood circulation and reduces premature aging due to its antioxidant nature. Topical application of Green Tea polyphenol-formulated skin care products can be beneficial in achieving soft, supple and younger-looking skin. Green Tea can also be beneficial for preventing hair loss, dandruff, baldness and psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory and stress-inhibitory properties.
According to Ayurveda, Green Tea has Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties that help improve the digestive system and aid in weight loss. Due to its Kshaya (astringent) properties, it helps in maintaining the elasticity and firmness of the skin.
Though Green Tea is safe to consume, excessive consumption may cause nausea, dizziness, heartburn, irregular heartbeat or other side effects associated with high caffeine content.
What are the Benefits of Green Tea
Green Tea might help manage High cholesterol due to the presence of certain constituents that have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It lowers the level of total blood cholesterol, bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) and triglycerides and improves the level of good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL)
High cholesterol is a result of an imbalance in Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Impaired digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This causes an accumulation of bad cholesterol. Green Tea helps in controlling High cholesterol by reducing Ama because of its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also helps to remove blockage from the blood vessels by eliminating toxins. These properties together help reduce High cholesterol.