Green tea: benefit, harm, application

Paradoxically, green and black tea are sourced from the same bush. However, for some reason, the first is always credited with the invaluable benefits that it brings to the human body, while the second is advised to abandon completely, or to reduce the amount of its consumption. Let's look at why this happens, and at the same time get to know green tea better.

Types of green tea

Despite the fact that both black and green tea are harvested from the same tea tree bush, the preparation process is significantly different. Green tea is initially fixed with steam, the temperature of which does not exceed 180 ° C. Its oxidation lasts no more than two days, after which everything is stopped by heating, the latter may not occur at all. Black tea, on the other hand, undergoes an oxidative process for two to four weeks.

There are many varieties of green tea in East Asian countries, most of which never made it to our homes. The most popular drinks include:

• Mao Feng. The tea is characterized by a very delicate taste, which is characterized by fruity notes. With its help, you can thoroughly relax and restore lost strength.
• Sencha. This green tea is native to Japan. The roasting procedure is replaced by steaming, after which the leaves are curled.
• Longjing. When preparing this type of tea, the raw materials are collected exclusively from the upper shoots, a couple of upper leaves. Collected them are fried in special boilers in order to stop fermentation. The finished product is packaged in vacuum packaging, bypassing the process of additional aromatization. This species is rich in vitamin C, amino acids and catechins. It is customary to classify this tea as an elite variety.
• Tuo cha. Similar to the previous variety, it is an elite drink. Its production takes a lot of time, moreover, all manipulations with it are very complex. This tea has invaluable benefits for the work of the gastrointestinal tract, it gives lightness after overeating.
• Gunpowder. One of the most popular types of tea. The leaves are curled into miniature balls, which open at the time of welding. It is very strong, has a tart taste and a bright aroma.

Green tea benefits and harms

The healing qualities of green tea are recognized not only among supporters of traditional medicine, but also by traditional doctors. The miraculous properties of this drink have long been used for the benefit of their consumers by cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies. This is a truly unique product, the benefits of which we will talk about.

If you perform daily washing with green tea, then soon you will find a significant improvement in skin tone and overall condition. Very useful on the epidermis is the daily wiping of the skin of the face. ice cube cooked with green tea broth. Firstly, it will help smooth out wrinkles, narrow pores, and secondly, relieve puffiness and normalize the work of the sebaceous glands. This property will be very useful for problem skin.

If you are in no hurry, and are ready to wait a while, but surprising results, then you can use the following composition:

• Prepare a strong green tea and pour it over the yolk of an egg and about 20 g of plain flour. Stir well and apply on face for a quarter of an hour. Such a mask will help to tighten the oval of the face, give the skin a healthy color and improve its condition.

Green tea normalizes the digestive system. By consuming the drink on a regular basis, you will restart and improve the functioning of the stomach, liver and intestines. An additional effect will be reflected in the condition of the gums and teeth, constant contact of the drink with them will protect from stomatitis. But you just need to take into account that for this you need to drink tea without sugar, otherwise there will be no effect.

Green tea contains a large amount of antioxidants, which have supportive actions in the prevention of cancer. The drink also contains zinc, which has a beneficial effect on the rapid healing of wounds, with its help you can strengthen the nails and hair, and enhance their growth.

Green tea is an excellent diuretic, but it cannot be used as a diuretic. This is due to the excessive invigorating effect that tea has on the body.

This tea replaces artificial energy drinks that spoil the liver and stomach. With its help, you can nourish strength, if those are not left at all. Green tea tincture is useful as an antimicrobial agent in cases of dysentery. Constant drinking of tea is the prevention of cholelithiasis and urolithiasis. Green tea also helps to satisfy hunger. That is why on diets it is advised to drink it, and not the black version of the drink.

Vitamin C also helps to fight cancer, of which tea is full. Vitamin P is responsible for the strength and elasticity of the walls of blood vessels. The usefulness of green tea is due to the high content of vitamins, microelements and bioactive substances in it. Thanks to the special preparation of the leaves, without prolonged fermentation, the tea retains all its healing properties. The main thing is not to get rid of them at the time of preparation of the drink by scalding everything with boiling water.

Green tea has a tonic effect on absolutely all organs and systems. With its help, you can activate the work of the brain, improve the thought process. The drink prevents the formation of blood clots, significantly lowers the level of sugar in the blood, due to which it is useful for diabetes mellitus(it also alleviates the symptoms of stage 2 diabetes mellitus). Protects the liver from toxins, removing the latter along with toxins from the whole body. Green tea is recommended to drink after colds, as it allows the body to recover.

And that is not all. Green tea has many benefits, but it's hard to list them all. However, not everything is so rosy. After all, even he has a negative side - harm. What does it consist in? We'll find out now.

Let's make a reservation right away that now we will talk about strongly brewed tea, which will have a harmful effect.

• With diseases of the heart and blood vessels, as well as with problems with the nervous system. What is on the heart with blood vessels, what theine does not have the best effect on the nervous system.
• During pregnancy. Green tea interferes with the natural breakdown of folic acid, which is very important especially in the perinatal period, as it has a direct effect on the formation of the baby's brain. In addition, high caffeine levels are not good for pregnant women. Especially in the early stages, excessive drinking of strong tea can lead to miscarriage.
• Green tea is harmful at high body temperature. This is due to the presence of theophylline, which is able to increase it even more.
• A drink is contraindicated for an ulcer. It is contraindicated, not harmful. A strong drink increases the level of acidity in the stomach, which can worsen the patient's condition.
• Some compounds in green tea can greatly overload the liver, so if the latter is sick, then it can be an overwhelming burden for it. There are fewer such compounds in black tea, so its negative effect is not so pronounced.
• Due to its high theine content, tea flushes metals from the body.
• Uncontrolled consumption of green tea negatively affects the health of bones and the entire skeleton, namely, bone density.
• Urea formation. Tea drinks are rich in purines, which contribute to the formation of toxic and difficult to remove urea. The salts that are formed under its influence form crystals that contribute to the development of gout. In addition, green tea should not be drunk by people suffering from rheumatism and arthritis.
• Large amounts of caffeine interfere with the absorption of iron in the body.

It is also worth noting the "side" effects of excessive consumption, which can manifest themselves in all their glory in a healthy person.

• With the simultaneous use of tea and alcohol, aldehydes are formed in the body, which cause very severe damage to the kidneys.
• Large amounts of green tea can cause tea intoxication, in which there is severe dizziness, migraine, nausea and vomiting.
• You can not drink a very hot drink in large quantities, this leads to burns of the internal organs of the digestive system, which are very difficult to tighten, and subsequently deformed and form cracks, which significantly increases the risk of cancer. And here it is worth noting that such harm is caused not only by tea. Any hot drink and even food can have a similar effect.
• Brewing tea with boiling water leads to the fact that all the beneficial substances evaporate, and the harmful ones, such as the same purine, increase.

Remember, everything is good in moderation and even the most useful product will turn out negatively for health if its consumption is not limited.

Caffeine in green tea

Excessive caffeine will not lead to anything good, but it is impossible without it. It helps to relieve fatigue in a short period of time, increases physical endurance and mental alertness. Rumor has it that green tea has more caffeine than black, but is that really so? Yes, indeed. Studies show that a cup (200 ml) of black tea, without flavors or other additives, contains about 47-60 mg, while green tea shows results in 80-95 mg.

Green tea raises or lowers blood pressure

The age-old question of whether green tea lowers or, conversely, increases blood pressure. To answer this question, you need to turn again to the chemical composition of the drink. In green tea, about 40% is catechin, due to which the drink has a pronounced astringent taste. But it is catechin that absorbs excess cholesterol and has a beneficial effect on the elasticity of blood vessels. Due to it, the blood becomes thinner and the pressure decreases.

There are no specific figures that will show that green tea reduces blood pressure, doctors are still giving out only theory. But, according to statistics, in the countries of East Asia, where green tea is consumed on a regular basis, cases with hypertension and heart attacks are recorded 40% less often. But unfortunately, it is impossible to link these data with the consumption of tea, because besides this, local residents consume many other products, for example, rice.

Some people believe that due to the high content of caffeine in the drink, the pressure when drinking tea increases. Indeed, as soon as it enters the bloodstream, there is an increase in blood pressure, increased heart rate and rapid pumping of blood, but at the same time, caffeine activates the activity of blood vessels, which expanding make the effect of "lifting" minimal. And if for a healthy person such a process goes unnoticed, then for those suffering from hypertension, an excess of green tea will not lead to anything good. But in small quantities, namely a cup a day, tea is not harmful.

How to brew green tea

For green tea to be of maximum benefit to the body, it must be brewed properly. Pay close attention to the following components:

• to the temperature of the water and its quality;
• the amount of tea brewed;
• duration of tea brewing.

Optimally selected parameters will give a wonderful drink that will bring a lot of health benefits. Let's take a closer look at the main nuances that will help you in the brewing process.

• To determine the optimal amount of tea, you need to take into account the size of the leaves and the final density of the infusion that you want to get at the exit. Typically, a teaspoon of dry product is taken as a standard value for a cup of tea in 150-200 ml.
• The brewing time of green tea directly depends on the size of the tea leaves, as well as on how toned the drink you want to make. Remember, theine, which is responsible for this quality of tea, dissolves already in the first minute of brewing. After that, the process of saturation of the drink with tannins is activated. Our body begins to assimilate the first only after assimilating the second. Therefore, if you need maximum vivacity “here and now,” then tea leaves should not be left in tea for more than a minute or a half. If you want to get the optimal amount of energy that would last for a long time, leave the tea to brew for a longer time. In the latter case, you need to take into account that the taste of the drink will become slightly bitter. The optimal brewing time for tea that will satisfy you can only be found by experience.
• An equally important factor for making delicious tea is the quality of the water used. The best, of course, is the spring one. However, within the city limits, this is an inaccessible luxury, which is impossible to get. Filtered water can be a worthy substitute. If it is also not possible to filter the liquid, use a flowing one, having previously allowed it to settle. But distilled water for making tea is generally not advised to use. Re-boiled water has a negative effect on the taste of tea, therefore, when re-preparing the drink, it is better to pour fresh water into the kettle. It is unacceptable to prepare tea with boiled water, no steep boiling water! The optimum temperature is 80-90 ° C. Even if there is no thermometer at hand, it is easy to determine the "ideal" temperature: open the lid of the kettle, when steam starts to form - bring your hand to it, it should not burn, but should be hot enough. Boiling water destroys most of the nutrients, so if the tea is not brewed correctly, the tea will not bring any benefit.

In addition to the above, there are also nuances that, although not necessary, are still desirable to take into account when brewing tea. This will only have a positive effect on the taste. So let's take a look at them:

• Dishes for preparing a drink. The best option would be one that can trap heat - these are teapots made of clay or porcelain. Someone is used to using cast iron or silver dishes. After several infusions, a yellow coating will appear in the teapot - do not rush to get rid of it. This is a kind of protection against unfavorable factors, which will have a positive effect on the quality of the tea. Unknowing people, namely guests, can be alarmed, but you can explain the whole process to them.
• The brewing process itself. The kettle, in which the brewing process will take place, is preheated over an open fire, this kills all microbes and removes extraneous odors. The spoon must be dry. The teapot should be wrapped in a warm towel (real gourmets use beautiful fabric for this purpose). The tea leaves fill the kettle by a third, after which it remains to infuse for two or three minutes. After that, it is filled to the end. The cups, into which the tea will be poured later, must be heated in hot water. It is desirable that the drinking containers are made of clay or porcelain.
• Allowable number of infusions. One and the same portion of tea, of exceptionally high quality, can be brewed up to seven times. After that, he begins to lose his taste and healing qualities. It is not advised to drink tea with sugar. It is much better to add honey or dried fruits to the drink.

How to consume green tea

The answer is very simple - you need to consume green tea in moderation, but where is it? Both numerous studies and many doctors are of the same opinion that 10 cups a day will only have a positive effect on the state of the body and will not cause harm, of course, if the person has no contraindications.

Green tea oil

Green tea oil is often used in aromatherapy, when taking healing baths. Its aroma has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system, it promotes the relaxation process. With its help, you can strengthen hair and restore its structure.

In addition, the oil rejuvenates the skin and treats acne and breakouts. Masks based on it are prepared as easy as shelling pears. So, for example, to nourish the skin, you can prepare a composition of oatmeal, egg yolk and a couple of drops of green tea oil. And to smooth out wrinkles, the oil is mixed with fatty cottage cheese and honey. Each of the masks is kept on the face for about 15-20 minutes, after which it is washed off.

The external effect is, of course, good, but it is much better if, together with cosmetic manipulations, the tea is also consumed inside. So the benefit and effect will come sooner and linger for a long time.

But the oil has one drawback - the price. Good quality, real green tea oil won't be cheap. This is due to the low content of the main product in the leaves. So, in one sheet of oil there is only 0.006%. But the beauty is worth it, isn't it? In any case, if you do not have the opportunity to purchase a real product, do not purchase a surrogate, which, at best, simply will not be useful.

Green tea during pregnancy

We mentioned earlier about the negative effects of green tea during the perinatal period. However, you shouldn't take it personally. It was about strongly brewed tea and drinking it in large quantities. During pregnancy, green tea is allowed, of course, if the observing doctor does not mind and the expectant mother has no contraindications. In this case, the drink will only bring benefits that you already know about.

Slimming green tea

Nutritionists have not yet come to a consensus on whether green tea directly affects weight loss. It is unambiguously clear that the drink has a beneficial effect on the work of the gastrointestinal tract, helps to feel full for a long time, but what about fat? Some believe that it helps them break down and remove them naturally. There are even a number of diets that are based on green tea.

We can say with confidence that if you decide to go for a slim figure by drinking green tea, you need to drink it without sugar. When combined with a diet, it gives very good results that many ladies have written about. But its property to help in the struggle for a slim figure is most likely due not to some miraculous properties, but to the fact that it has a beneficial effect on the work of the whole body, because weight problems begin with disruptions in the digestive process. If excess weight is associated with disease, then before losing weight you need to eradicate the problem itself.

Here are some tips to help you achieve maximum results in a short time frame.

• A quarter of an hour before a meal, drink a glass of green tea, of course, without sugar. Before drinking, the drink should be infused for about two minutes. it speed up metabolism.
• You can go in a slightly different way. Grind the dry product into a powder and eat a teaspoon at the time of the meal. For comfort, you can drink it with water. It can also be sprinkled on snacks and desserts, and can be added to drinks and soups. Thus, it is almost impossible to notice the tea, but its healing properties will remain.
• Sitting on any diet with the aim of losing weight - replace regular tea with green tea and soon you will notice significant positive changes.

Contraindications for green tea

Like any other healthy drink or product, green tea has its own contraindications, in which its use is unacceptable. So, the list of those for whom it is better to choose another tea includes people suffering from diabetes, stomach ulcers, hypertension (in this case, you cannot use strong brewed tea and in large quantities), insomnia, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the nervous system.

Tea is contraindicated after a person has consumed alcohol, we talked about the reasons just above. Drinking such tea on an empty stomach is also not recommended.

Green tea: reviews

Green tea green tea strife. Now on the shelves of stores you can find a lot of products, which in their quality have nothing in common with real tea. Nevertheless, people buy and try to use it in order to get benefits that never come.

But those who approached the purchase responsibly and purchased the product in a trusted place, note a significant positive difference in the state of the body before and after drinking tea. Those who decided to use it as masks and lotions also speak well of the drink. Favorable changes in the condition of the skin are observed after a month of regular use.

Do not skimp on your health, buy only quality products in trusted places. In addition, if you have not drunk such a drink before, it is better to make sure that there are no contraindications. But even with good health, you should not abuse tea, and now you know why.