Green tea is not only good for physical health, but also improves brain function. It has been used as a medicine in China for thousands of years. Because green tea does not undergo a fermentation process during processing, it retains its powerful antioxidant properties, meaning that you get a high level of polyphenols in your body if you drink it regularly.
Green tea is therefore very rich in polyphenols. These compounds are what give tea its bitter taste and help maintain a positive mood, and polyphenols also ensure brain health.
Regular consumption of green tea promotes the production of dopamine, which is not only an excellent mood regulator, but also has other functions. We should be aware that patients with Parkinson’s disease have insufficient dopamine production, which causes muscle rigidity and tremors. Researchers believe that regular consumption of green tea could even prevent this dreaded disease.
Polyphenols also have other important roles. They have a positive effect on glucose metabolism by helping the body to regulate insulin sensitivity.
Tannins are also found in green tea. Tannins play an important role in protecting against the development of brain disorders and brain damage. Tannins also repair cells. Not only can they prevent the development of brain disorders such as stroke, but they can also help recovery after a stroke.
Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to have a positive effect. Green tea is also extremely rich in L-theanine. This is an amino acid that works with caffeine to improve brain function.
This type of tea also increases fat burning and boosts metabolism. The caffeine it contains mobilises fatty acids from adipose tissue and even improves physical performance.
Green tea has powerful antioxidants that may protect against certain cancers. Research shows that it can be very effective in preventing breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.
