Is green tea the elixir of life?

Green tea has a list of potential health benefits so long it could be the healthiest drink on the planet. It’s been said that green tea protects the brain from aging and improves brain function, helps with weight loss, prevents cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and may even get rid of that bad breath. All that and it’s good for the skin.

Green tea health experts say it’s all because of the bioactive compounds found in green tea. The beverage is packed with polyphenols, which reduce inflammation and act as antioxidants reducing free radicals in the body. The polyphenol that seems to work all the magic is a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

Which types of green tea give the best health benefits?

Japan’s long love affair with green tea has produced a number of varieties. Matcha is of course well known for its use in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. It is ground into a powder and its high concentration of natural nutrients rejuvenates skin and cleanses the body.

Hojicha and genmaicha have lower quantities of caffeine, so can be drunk at any time of day by any age group. Hojicha also contains an amino acid that helps ease anxiety and stress, so you can relax and drink easily, as it benefits everything from your skin to your soul.

But, making up 80% of green tea production, the most popular for daily drinking would have to be sencha. It can be called different names depending on when it is harvested, but it is one of the highest sources of vitamin C, so your immune system will really get a kick out of it.

Could green tea be the reason why Japanese people look younger?

Don’t let the different green tea types worry you. Each Japanese person has their own favorite, and it seems that a ‘drink green tea look younger’ philosophy works no matter which you choose for yourself. They all contain high levels of vitamin C and E, which fight the signs of aging as well as remove damaging free radicals.

The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea give Japanese skin that beautiful glow reducing the redness connected to acne and rosacea. Meanwhile, the antioxidants and chlorophyll mean that skin is protected from the damaging effects of UV radiation.

How to prepare green tea for optimal health benefits

If you want to get the most out of your new green tea health and skincare discovery, make sure to steep the tea leaves for between 2–5 minutes. This allows it to release all those precious antioxidants into the water. Nice and simple.

The best part? This works for green tea when it’s served hot AND when it’s served cold. So, you can have great tasting healthy tea all year round. The flavor does differ though, so try them out and see how you like it best. It’s also best if you prepare the cold green tea yourself too, as bottled green tea often isn’t steeped for long enough.

One important piece of information to remember is DON’T add milk to your green tea. It’s a highly unusual practice in any case, but adding it can reduce the effectiveness of the antioxidants that contribute to green tea health benefits.