I am a green tea junkie. I gave up coffee a few years ago, but I drink green tea religiously every morning, and it is my go-to drink when I am out. I prefer it iced and unsweetened. The barristas in my local Starbucks prepare my iced green tea as soon as they see me in line. I must be the only person who goes to Starbucks every day who doesn’t drink coffee.
There are numerous reasons to drink green tea. Check out my top 4 below.
1. Green tea is healthy for you!
Green tea has numerous health benefits. It is high in catechins, which are a type of powerful antioxidant. Catechins can fight and prevent cell damage in the body.
Research has shown that green tea clearly provides benefits regarding cardiovascular health and increased bone density. The cardiovascular benefits may include a lower risk of heart attacks, as well as preventing congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Some studies have indicated a possible association between green tea consumption and lower risk of certain cancers. In addition, some research has shown that drinking green tea may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
Although research findings have been mixed as to some of the specific health benefits of green tea, this is an excellent and healthy drink to add to your diet. The antioxidants contained in green tea protect the body on a cellular level, and can reduce free radicals in the body, which are thought to contribute to many diseases. Further, the benefits to cardiovascular health and improved bone density have been confirmed by multiple studies. Green tea is undoubtedly one of the healthiest beverages you can drink.
2. Green tea in the morning can wake you up
Although green tea does not have nearly as much caffeine as coffee, it does have some, which can help wake you up in the morning (as it does for me.)
3. Green tea has zero calories
Unsweetened green tea has no calories. Yes, you read that right: zero calories and numerous health benefits! In addition, several studies have shown that it may help with weight loss.
4. Green tea can boost your immunity
The antioxidants in green tea can help strengthen your immune system and keep viruses at bay.
As for the specific types of green tea, I suggest shopping around and trying a few different brands. I prefer to use loose tea, which I steep in a little steel basket. Green tea is readily available in most supermarkets. If you opt for an iced tea, look for a brand that carries unsweetened tea. My favorite bottled green tea is produced by Tea’s Tea, which makes several different types of tea.
Here are my green tea tips for making hot tea at home:
– Don’t add green tea to boiling water. Let it cool down a bit. Add the tea when the water is just below the boiling point.
– Add lemon to your tea, which makes it easier for your body to absorb the catechins. Don’t add milk to green tea, as the dairy proteins prevent the effectiveness of the catechins.
– Only steep the tea for 1-3 minutes to preserve the flavor.
Happy tea drinking!
This post was very timely for me. I am the opposite – a coffee junkie! My little toddler has never been a great sleeper so my husband and I great waaaayyy too much coffee…sometimes as much as 4 cups a day (yikes…I know!) I’ve been slowly adding green tea to my diet, especially in the afternoons. Very interesting about adding in a lemon – will start doing that now! Thanks!
oops typo!…replace great with drink 🙂