Health Benefits of Green Tea

The Health Benefits Blog of green tea stem from its antioxidants. These compounds help your body fight free radicals, which are the culprits behind DNA destruction and the onset of cancer, artery-clogging atherosclerosis, vision loss, and a host of other chronic ailments. By drinking green tea regularly, you can prevent these cellular damages. So how does green tea do this? Here’s a look. And if you haven’t tried it yet, you should.

Health benefits of green tea

L-theanine

Researchers have discovered that L-theanine may help people relax, improve their sleep quality, and manage stress. These effects may be due to the amino acid’s effect on brain chemicals, including serotonin and dopamine. A recent study showed that L-theanine could reduce resting heart rate in patients with generalized anxiety disorder. This effect was also seen in patients taking antidepressants.

L-theanine is an excellent calming agent, helping people to think more clearly. This property may help people deal with stress and improve their ability to focus. It’s no secret that most of us reach for our favorite hot cup of coffee during the workday, but the crash that follows often results in a feeling of overwhelm. Instead, try drinking green tea instead and you’ll enjoy this wonderful health benefit.

Catechins

The catechins in green tea have been found to be potent inhibitors of oxidative stress, a common feature of brain aging, neurodegeneration, and mental illness. Fortunately, catechins in green tea are already present in the body, and they have been shown to improve the health of brain cells by mediating the inflammatory response. This property is also associated with several health benefits.

Some studies show that catechins can improve the functioning of the immune system, detoxify harmful chemicals, and stimulate the activity of immune-strengthening enzymes. Researchers are now looking into how catechins are absorbed into the bloodstream, and whether vitamin C and juices increase the content of catechins. Catechins have been used in Asian medicine for centuries because they are highly concentrated in the leaves.

L-theanine increases dopamine

Researchers have found that L-theanine in green tea can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin, two brain chemicals that are important for a positive mood. In addition, theanine has anti-anxiety properties, increases production of GABA and dopamine, and inhibits glutamate, a chemical in the brain that can damage nerve cells. The effects of green tea on the brain are well-documented, and there are a number of studies available to support these findings.

L-theanine increases dopamine levels in the brain by binding to glutamate receptors without stimulating them, resulting in relaxing effects. Strokes are caused by a sudden blockage of blood flow to part of the brain, resulting in massive chemical stresses and excitotoxicity. The neurotransmitter also contributes to addiction, but L-theanine is not known to cause addictive behavior.