11 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

courtesy flickr.com/alancleaver

There are so many different teas to try out there, one more exotic than the next. Green tea is high on my list of favorites since it is packed with all sorts of healthy benefits. It happens to be the least processed of all the teas and contains amazing antioxidants called catechins. Catechins are are best known for:

1. inhibiting cancer cell activity
2. boosting immunity
3. preventing cavity-producing plaque from forming (assuming you’re flossing and brushing already!)
4. protecting your gums from disease

If these health benefits aren’t enough, here are a few more reasons to swap out your cup of java for a scrumptious cup of green tea.

1. Green tea stimulates the metabolism and accelerates weight loss
2. Helps treat rheumatoid arthritis
3. Lowers the risk of heart disease and lowers bad cholesterol levels.
4. Helps protect against bacterial infections
5. Reduces inflammation
6. Anti-aging
7. Strengthens bones and joints

So why not give it a try?

A few things to be aware of when choosing your green tea

Green tea contains caffeine

Green tea does contain caffeine, but not as much as a cup of coffee. Green tea has been found to have 15-40 milligrams of caffeine per 8 oz. cup, while the average cup of coffee has 100-200 milligrams- 4 to 10 cups of green tea have the equivalent amount of caffeine as 1 cup of coffee.

Don’t drink decaf tea-or decaf anything!

Decaffeinated tea still has caffeine! There is also a high likelihood that the decaf tea has bad chemicals in it from the decaffeination process.

Stick with organic tea

Organic teas won’t have any toxins, pesticides, heavy metals and other dangerous industrial chemicals.

Are you a coffee or tea drinker? What’s your favorite type of green tea?

11 Reason to Drink Green Tea republished with permission from Groovy Green Livin.

Lori

Lori Alper is the founder and editor of the blog, Groovy Green Livin. She is a green living enthusiast and lifestyle writer, consultant, mother, borderline vegan and recovering attorney. Lori is devoted to sharing and gathering information needed for living a green life. She believes that through each and every small, eco-conscious change each of us makes the world will become a healthier, safer place for us all. In her free time Lori can be found practicing yoga, pitching a baseball, running, cycling, skiing, cooking, or reading.