Is Green Tea Really Good For You?

You’ve probably heard the hype about the health benefits of green tea. How much of it is true? Is green tea really good for you? There are some proven health benefits to drinking green tea, especially in the area of cancer prevention. The process of making green tea preserves vital ingredients that accomplish this process. Although many cite weight loss benefits for green tea, studies are not conclusive. Let’s take a closer look at green tea and see if we can separate fact from fiction.

All indications are that green tea is a cancer inhibitor. Tea is filled with beneficial catechin polyphenols, which have power anti-oxidant properties. Essentially, these polyphenols appear to help prevent cell damage. The cancer prevention benefits of green tea have gotten support through several research studies. For example, a recent study of Japanese men showed that those drinking a regular amount of green tea stayed cancer free for an average of three years longer than men who drank less green tea.

The reason that green tea in particular is so beneficial is that the processing of green tea preserves a higher level of catechins. These vital ingredients are damaged by heat. Green tea leaves are heated much less than leaves used to make black tea, thereby ensuring the highest possible levels of polyphenols. This is why green tea is considered more healthful than black tea.

Some people maintain that green tea helps in weight loss. The research studies are inconclusive when it comes to this benefit. Some studies show that it does help with weight loss, while others show no effect at all. However, you may have noticed the presence of green tea extract in different metabolism-boosting “fat burner” pills. Even if they don’t promote weight loss, the antioxidant effect of the green tea ingredients could be helpful as you attempt to shave off a few extra pounds.