The Number One Reason You Should Be Drinking (a lot of) Green Tea

Green tea is touted as a miracle beverage for many good reasons. In fact, it is said to help with weight loss, help you live longer, and even prevent bad breath. 

Moreover, it may do many or even all of these things. Sorting out the research on this miracle beverage is tricky, and a lot of the research lacks reliability. However, there is one thing that is not in dispute; green tea is a potent source of antioxidants.

Antioxidants used to be the next big deal in the nutrition field. However, over time, we’ve become almost immune to how truly amazing these unique compounds are. Indeed, few of us consider antioxidant content when we choose a food or beverage.

Perhaps we should.

Certainly, antioxidants are the antidote to free radical damage. Free radicals are natural byproducts of the body’s normal metabolism. In fact, lifestyle factors such as drinking, smoking, and exposure to pollutants can also produce free radicals.

Left unchecked, free radicals cause oxidative damage in the body. Moreover, this oxidative damage has been linked to faster aging and an increased risk of disease. (1)

In addition, antioxidants are potent molecules that neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative damage. Hence, choosing foods and beverages that contain high levels of antioxidants has the potential to slow aging and reduce our risk of disease. (1)

The main antioxidant present in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). While you probably do not need to memorize its name, science continues to look closely at this powerful compound and discover its many health benefits.

EGCG has been linked to:

• Decreased risk of prostate cancer. (2)
• Decreased incidence of breast cancer. (3)
• Protection from cardiovascular disease and heart attack. (4)
• Lower risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. (5)
• Decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. (6)

In addition to protection from a range of chronic conditions, green tea may help you live longer. (7) Drinking 5 or more cups of green tea per day appears to provide the most benefits. (8)

Often it is the simple, daily choices we make that have the most impact over time. Drinking green tea provides a boost of antioxidants that have the potential to prevent disease and lengthen your life.

A daily green tea habit is an easy habit to support your physical wellness. And the better you feel, the greater your sense of health and well-being.