Green tea and its benefits. Useful properties of green tea

Numerous treatises of Chinese philosophers and Indian healers are devoted to green tea, this drink has many unique properties and is used as a medicine for some diseases. It perfectly tones, breaks down animal fats, promotes digestion. After all, it's just delicious.

But is it as useful as we used to think? And can a cup of green tea hide not only the elixir of youth and health, but also poison?

Harmful properties of green tea

To begin with, green tea is considered a powerful antioxidant these days, but the actual benefit of oxidation inhibitors is questionable. Numerous studies prove that excessive consumption of antioxidants does nothing but harm - various diseases begin to develop, the body ceases to resist certain types of bacteria.

That's why green tea cannot be abused. If you drink 5-6 small cups a day, then you won’t harm yourself, but those who drink more than 1.5 liters of strong brewed tea automatically fall into the risk group.

Green tea also adversely affects the nervous system. We, again, are talking about a very rich drink. In concentrated form, it provokes nervous overexcitation, because it contains much more caffeine (theine) than coffee itself.

So strong green tea is not recommended for those who suffer from any diseases of the nervous system, and those who are prone to frequent mood swings. You should not drink it at night, and even healthy people- often it is he who causes insomnia.

With caution, green tea should be consumed by those who have problems with the cardiovascular system, in particular, people suffering from tachycardia and arrhythmia. The substances contained in this drink provoke a rapid heartbeat, which can not only exacerbate diseases, but also cause heart rhythm failure.

What is harmful green tea

In addition, green tea irritates the stomach lining, so you should not drink it on an empty stomach. The fact is that it promotes digestion, which means it enhances the production of gastric juice, and if the stomach is empty, it begins to digest itself, respectively, erosion occurs that can turn into ulcers.

Especially do not drink green tea on an empty stomach for those who already have gastritis or an ulcer. Many sources say that this wonderful drink prevents these diseases, but here it is like with poison - it all depends on the dosage and time of administration.

Therefore, at times of exacerbation of chronic gastric diseases, it is recommended either to completely abandon the use of green tea, or to drink it in a not very concentrated form after meals. Then it will really be a medicine and will not provoke a relapse.

Green tea and alcohol

Many believe that a cup of green tea, drunk in the morning, helps to cope with a hangover, because it allegedly removes toxins. However, it is not. The external and momentary effect of relief is incomparable with the harm that is done to the body. First of all, the cardiovascular and nervous systems suffer, and then the kidneys “join” them.

The stimulating effect of green tea, multiplied by a hangover syndrome, can even lead to a heart attack, not to mention neurosis, and renal colic is also not a very pleasant thing. By the way, it is impossible to mix green tea with alcohol not only in the morning - during "libations" this mixture also has a bad effect on the body. Yes, and toxins are not excreted, but, on the contrary, are formed.

In addition, both alcohol and green tea have a diuretic effect, so their combination leads to a sharp dehydration of the body, and this, in turn, leads to nervous excitement, aggression, and then to a decrease in vitality. Besides, frequent use alcohol combined with green tea accelerates skin aging.

Green tea and blood pressure

We often hear that green tea actively affects blood pressure. Surprisingly, both hypertensive patients and hypotensive patients write and talk about it. Someone complains that low blood pressure is getting even lower, someone - that high blood pressure jumps sharply to terrifying levels. But there are also those who speak with gratitude about this drink - in some it increases the low, in others it reduces the high. Which of them is right?

As it turns out, the truth is somewhere in between. For those on whom green tea has a positive effect, it simply regulates the pressure, that is, it raises or lowers it to an acceptable norm by the body. Those who, after drinking, suffer from too low or from excessively high blood pressure, belong to people with a personal intolerance to this drink.

So if after a cup of green tea you feel a breakdown or the back of your head starts to hurt, then this drink is not for you. Do not experiment, but abandon it in favor of teas and infusions, after which you do not experience discomfort. Or at least reduce the dosage or make a weak tea solution.

Green tea quality

What is harmful green tea

Absolutely healthy people should also pay attention to their well-being after drinking green tea. If you do not have high acidity, but at the same time even a small cup of this drink causes heartburn, then you have purchased low-quality raw materials.

Remember that in regions where there are no tea plantations, tea, by definition, cannot be very cheap, because not only processing and packaging costs, but also transportation costs are required. Unscrupulous manufacturers often purchase tea dust, garbage and small crumbs left after the packaging of high-quality tea, "hide" it in bags and attract buyers at a low price.

It is best to buy tea from trusted brands, and not in bags, but in bulk. It should not contain foreign impurities, unless it is provided for by the type of tea, that is, if it is not flavored with flower petals, zest or berries.

If you still prefer tea bags, then get the packaging, in which each of the bags is sealed in foil. This packaging method is not a manufacturer's attempt to increase the price, but the best storage method. It allows you to save all the flavors of tea and its beneficial properties.

Proper brewing of green tea

Incorrectly brewed green tea can also cause harm. Everyone knows perfectly well that a tea leaf that has not undergone fermentation can be poured with water 3-4 times. After the second brew, it only begins to truly open up and give off its taste and aroma. However, at the same time, few people think that the "life" of green tea is short-lived.

So much is said and written about the benefits of green tea that many, having learned about the healing properties of this tea, begin to drink it uncontrollably, in large quantities, replacing all other drinks. Is this allowed? Does tea really only have a positive effect on the body, or can it harm it? Can I drink often, and in what quantity?

What is good green tea

Green tea contains a large number of phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties. The composition contains catechins, alkaloids, vitamins and minerals. The rich composition of this Chinese drink allows you to use it at any age to prevent the development of many diseases, treat ailments. Vitamin P strengthens blood vessels, capillary walls. Vitamin C is involved in the normal functioning of bone tissue, serves as an antioxidant. Black tea contains the same substances in its composition as green tea, only in small quantities.

10 reasons daily

• Reduces pressure. On this issue, disputes between scientists have not subsided for a long time, because in caffeine, how can it reduce blood pressure? But recent studies (2004) showed that those people who drank 2 glasses of green tea daily, suffered 65% less from attacks of hypertension.
• Strengthens blood vessels. Arteries become less elastic with age. Vessels are clogged with harmful deposits, their permeability decreases, blood supply worsens. This leads to stroke, heart attack. If you drink every day in the amount of 3-4 glasses, you can achieve strengthening of blood vessels. The drink helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis by an average of 30%.
• Protects the heart. The epigallocatechin gallate contained in tea will help you recover from a heart attack. It can also reduce the risk of heart failure.
• Has a tonic effect. At the use of four glasses of green tea a day, working capacity increases. People who regularly consume tea are not prone to depression and are less prone to stress.

• Extends life. Research was conducted in Japan, for eleven years they tested the results. It turned out that people who drink up to 5 cups of tea a day, life expectancy increased by 16%.
• Promotes weight loss. Taiwanese scientists conducted a long-term study, over 10 years, more than 10,000 people regularly consumed tea. It turned out that tea helps to reduce weight, increases the endurance of the body, helps to produce energy.
• Saturates the body with antioxidants and vitamins. This leads to the strengthening of the protective functions of the body. A person who consumes tea feels better.
• Strengthens immunity. The antigens contained in tea help to cope with any bacteria and viruses. To do this, you need to drink up to five glasses of tea daily.
• Provides bone density. Two or more cups a day can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Prolonged use leads to bone integrity.
• Protects the liver. Scientists plan to release drugs for the treatment of diseases based on green tea. Tea drink protects the liver from the harmful effects of alcohol and toxins.

How much green tea can you drink

The daily norm of the preventive use of the drink should not exceed 750 ml. Turkish and Chinese experts say that it is safe to drink up to one and a half liters of green tea. The tea should not be strong. When drinking strong green tea, the amount should be reduced to two or three cups.

Based on the fact that the volume of cups can be different, scientists have determined the optimal daily dose of dry tea leaves - 10 grams. Women who are expecting a baby can drink green tea, but in limited quantities.

Norm of green tea for treatment

Green tea has healing properties. It is recommended to drink in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For depression daily dose makes 5 cups of green tea. When dieting, Japanese scientists recommend drinking 4-5 small cups of tea, this allows you to burn up to 80 kcal. Only tea should be drunk without sugar, you can add lemon. Speaking about whether it is possible to drink green tea every day, we can conclude: you can drink from 1 to 6 cups of green tea without negative consequences.

Can green tea be harmful?

In green. Is it harmful? It can pass into the placenta and breast milk, so it is better for pregnant and lactating women not to abuse green tea.

Tea tannin prevents the absorption of metals from fruits and vegetables. Adding lemon to tea compensates for this effect.

It is not recommended to consume green tea and some medications. Do not drink tea with antibiotics, ephedrine, aspirin, oral contraceptives. Simultaneous use with alcohol is dangerous for the body.

It has been known for its healing properties over 4000 years ago. This tea is obtained from the same tea leaves as other types of tea, which differ in the way they are processed. Green tea is not fermented, which allows you to keep the nutrients in it to the maximum. This type of tea has a rich history, shrouded in legends.

Green tea: what legends and history say

The story goes to distant China. There, tea began to be cultivated there even before our era. The "Divine Farmer's Classic Book of Plants", written over 2500 years ago, tells the story of the Yellow Emperor practicing medicine. Research on various plants led him to poisoning. The leaves, brewed in a vessel, helped him to detoxify and avoid death.

Another legend tells of Bodhidharma, the founder of the Chan teaching. During his nine-year sitting meditation in the Shaolin Temple, he tore out his eyelids, which closed against his will, and wonderful tea bushes grew out of them. Green tea leaves have since served as a sleep aid for monks.

In China, tea began to be used as medicinal product. There were special officials responsible for the storage of tea and its consumption in the emperor's palace. Ordinary people could also be treated with tea, tea bushes grew in many provinces.

In the era of the Tang Dynasty, it began to be used as a drink, and tea drinking became a kind of philosophy. Tea trees began to grow in Buddhist temples, delicious drink treated important visitors to the temples. Lu Yu created the famous tea ceremony by researching tea. He wrote about the culture of drinking the drink in The Canon of Tea.

Features of green tea production

The technological chain of green tea production is arranged in such a way that all useful substances are kept in an active state. After picking, the tea leaves are left outdoors to dry. The leaves become wilted and soft, after which they are dried with hot air. Such drying does not allow the leaves to undergo oxidation. Tea leaves are subjected to twisting, the process is carried out different ways, which allows you to get varieties of green tea with a unique appearance.

Tea leaves can have a different look:

• Strongly twisted along the transverse axis. Such tea in China is called pearl. Tea is marked with the Gunpowder icon, which means gunpowder. It actually resembles balls or peculiar scales.
• Weakly twisted. The tea leaves of this tea are practically not twisted, the tea looks like whole leaf tea.
• Strongly twisted along the longitudinal axis. Tea looks like twisted spiral sticks. A striking example of this type of tea is a subspecies of elite gyokuro tea.

The process of twisting tea leaves increases the shelf life of tea leaves, keeping it fresh. best properties, allows you to control the process of extracting essential oils during brewing. What kind is better? Strongly twisted tea leaves produce a richer and stronger green tea. Leaf curl elite varieties green tea is made by hand. High-quality tea has a natural green tint, darkening of the leaves is considered a marriage.

The main producers of tea are Japan and China, although green tea is also grown in India, Ceylon, and Kenya. Zhejiang province is a mass producer of medium quality tea, in Fujian province tea is produced more than High Quality. Elite tea is grown in Japan in the province of Uji.

Composition of green tea

• Tannins. These substances make up more than one third of the composition of tea. They include various compounds of polyphenols, tannin, catechins. High-grade green tea is rich in tannin, the amount is 2 times higher than the content of tannin in black tea. When combined with caffeine, it forms caffeine tannate, which stimulates the nervous system.
• Alkaloids: caffeine, theophylline, theobromine. Green tea contains 1 to 4% caffeine, which is more than coffee. The amount of caffeine depends on the growing conditions of the tea, the size of the tea leaf, the processing method, and the brewing temperature.
• Vitamins. Vitamin C contained in tea helps to improve immunity. The content of carotene exceeds the amount of vitamin A in carrots. This vitamin is good for vision. Green tea contains all the B vitamins. They help fight viruses, regulate the body's carbohydrate balance, lower cholesterol, and have an antioxidant effect on the body.
• Minerals and trace elements. These are iron, fluorine, potassium, sodium, gold, magnesium, calcium. The leaves contain a sufficient amount of essential oils, some of which is lost during processing.
• Enzymes and amino acids. Japanese green tea varieties are rich in the best protein composition. When drinking tea without sugar, you can not worry about extra pounds. Green tea has no calories.

Benefits of green tea

Useful due to the rich chemical composition.

Tea is an excellent energy booster. This is a drink of good mood, well-being, cheerfulness and health. Regular consumption of green tea prevents chronic diseases, favorably influences immunity, promotes destruction of bacteria. Green tea has antimicrobial, antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Scientists from Japan believe that green tea has unique properties that can actively fight cancer. It is included in the diet of cancer patients, as it supports immunity, removes carcinogens from the body. Green tea is able to remove salts of heavy metals - a dangerous radioactive isotope of strontium-90, mercury, lead, zinc and cadmium. It neutralizes the negative impact of any radiation. This one is for those who spend a lot of time on electronic devices.

Green tea is a drink of longevity and youth. It regulates metabolism and blood sugar levels. Tea extract is actively used in cosmetology, as it improves complexion, slows down the aging of the body, being an excellent antioxidant. Rinsing oily hair decoction of tea leaves improves their condition. Green tea masks are effective, ice cubes from strong infusion tone and refresh the skin of the face.

A cup of green tea can relieve headaches, cope with stress. For an exhausted nervous system, this is a real find, tasty and without chemistry. To activate the work of the brain, the use of green tea will also help, green tea is also useful for concentration.

With poor digestion, indigestion, poisoning, green tea will help. Its properties destroy pathogenic microbes in the stomach, enhance the motility of the digestive tract, remove toxins from the body. Strong tea taken after meals four times a day helps with painful colitis. In case of drug poisoning, it is worth drinking a cup of green tea with sugar and milk.

Green tea acts on the walls of blood vessels, making them more elastic, preventing blood clots. Doctors recommend tea for the prevention of heart disease, atherosclerosis. Dutch scientists conducted a series of studies showing that people who drink four cups of green tea a day avoided a heart attack. In the initial stage of hypertension, a tea drink lowers blood pressure by 10-20 units.

Strong green tea helps with inflammation of the eyes to relieve tension, fatigue. Proven benefits for sore throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis. With rhinitis, it is useful to wash the sinuses with a decoction of green tea. In dentistry, tea is recommended for the prevention of caries for rinsing oral cavity.

Green tea is used to prevent the formation of stones in the kidneys, liver, activate the spleen and liver.

Green tea: contraindications

The benefits of green tea have been proven, but it is still not worth abusing it.

• Older people are not recommended due to the fact that tea can trigger negative processes in the joints. It is dangerous when rheumatoid arthritis, gout.
• A large amount of tea bad influence for diseased kidneys. Tea increases acidity, so you should not drink it with exacerbation of gastritis, stomach ulcers.
• Due to the fact that the load on the kidneys increases, green tea is not recommended for high temperature.
• A dangerous load awaits the kidneys if you combine the intake of alcohol and green tea.
• The presence of caffeine makes green tea harmful for hypertensive patients, people who suffer from drops in blood pressure.
• Tea is contraindicated in diseases of the thyroid gland.
• Do not use stale and quality tea.
• Do not drink tea very hot and strong, so as not to provoke headache and do not burn the internal organs.
• Women during lactation should be careful when drinking green tea, caffeine can have an exciting effect on the child, worsen his sleep.

The best varieties of green tea

There are hundreds of varieties of green tea. Depending on the country of growth, the time of collection, the processing process, they differ in appearance, taste and aroma. Chinese, Japanese, Georgian and Ceylon varieties are recognized as the best all over the world.

Choosing the best green tea, you need to pay Special attention its brewing. Usage soft water a certain temperature, good tea will allow you to get a high-quality, tasty and healthy drink. Green tea can deliver indescribable pleasure, produce a beneficial effect, and allow you to heal and rejuvenate the body. Regular consumption of tea is a guarantee of longevity, beauty and youth.

So many good words have been said about him that it is even somehow inconvenient to discuss the benefits and harms of green tea. But many, although they know about its healing abilities, cannot say for sure what they are. Usually, the matter is limited to a couple of properties - “cleanses blood vessels”, “helps to lose weight”. What is the uniqueness of the drink then? Let's figure it out!

Healing talents of lightly fermented tea

Green and black tea are not even relatives, otherwise they are essentially the same “character”, because the tea leaves for the first and second types are collected from the same bushes. It's all about processing. Green tea, unlike black tea, is not fermented. Moisture is simply evaporated from it. Thanks to the gentle production technology, it completely retains in its composition valuable substances embedded in it by nature.

What are these components that determine the properties of green tea and its benefits and harms? It contains a real arsenal of antioxidants. There are as many of them in a cup of emerald drink as in ten glasses of apple juice! About 15-30% of its composition falls on tannins. This is up to 30 types of polyphenolic compounds, including tannin, catechins and others.

The peculiar aroma of green tea is provided by the presence of essential oils, and they largely determine the quality of such a drink. It contains amino acids, among which glutamic acid should be noted - it puts the metabolism in order and restores “shattered” nerves. Green tea contains vegetable proteins, so it will not only give you drink, but also feed you.

Tea that has not been fermented is rich in minerals. It does not make sense to list them all (the list will be too long), it is enough to name potassium, sodium, calcium, fluorine, manganese, iodine and gold. It contains carotene, vitamins B, K, PP. And in terms of the amount of ascorbic acid, it is significantly ahead of its black “brother”.

How to drink Ivan tea with benefit?

To explain the benefits of green tea, just look at the list of its medicinal properties.

Healing effect of green tea:

• inhibits aging, prolongs youth, increases lifespan: this effect is associated with a high content of antioxidants;
• reduces the likelihood of getting cancer: Japanese scientists have been conducting studies for 12 years that have confirmed that the daily use of such a “product” significantly reduces the growth rate of a malignant tumor (but to obtain such a result, you need to drink up to 1.5 liters of tea, which is 19 cups) ;
• improves immunity;
• removes toxins, carcinogens, neutralizes toxins;
• supports the heart, reduces the risk of a heart attack by half;
• promotes the destruction of excess fat, suppresses appetite, which helps in the fight against excess weight;
• improves metabolism;
• removes "bad" cholesterol;
• stabilizes blood sugar levels;
• increases the strength of blood vessels;
• reduces cravings for alcohol;
• activates brain activity;
• protects the liver from the destructive effects of alcohol;
• reduces pressure (by 10-20 units);
• prevents the appearance of caries and inflammation of the gums;
• provides sharp vision;
• gives vivacity, increases efficiency;
• neutralizes the negative impact of the waves that the computer monitor emits.

It is widely believed that green tea is better than plain water, quenches thirst and restores water losses.

Does the drink harm the kidneys?

What is green tea for the kidneys? Benefit or harm to this vital organ from such a drink? It is a powerful diuretic. If you drink it like water - often and in large quantities, then you can bring yourself to dehydration. This will help increase the concentration of salts and acids in the kidneys. As a result, stones will appear in them.

It is strongly not recommended to use it in large quantities for those people who suffer from diseases of the urinary system. Urologists advise limiting yourself to a couple of small cups a day. And after drinking tea, you must definitely drink 250 ml of plain water to compensate for the loss of fluid.

That's how I cured it! Possible negative consequences

Among drinks for daily consumption (we are not talking about herbal decoctions) it is difficult to find a more multifunctional "drug" than green tea. Its benefits and harms to the body are incomparable.

But this does not mean that if you drink it in liters, you can throw away all the medicines from your home first aid kit and forget the way to the clinic. Green tea requires careful handling. If you drink it without measure, too strong, and even on an empty stomach, then you can encounter very unpleasant side effects.

Adverse reactions that green tea can provoke:

• headache;
• nausea;
• dizziness;
• sleep disorder;
• irritability;
• liquid stool;
• tremor of the limbs;
• heartburn;
• feeling of discomfort when urinating;
• convulsions.

To avoid such "surprises", it is enough to follow simple rules: drink only high-quality tea, consume no more than 2-3 cups per day, take the last portion at least three hours before bedtime, do not swallow a scalding drink (if its temperature is above 60 degrees , it will increase the risk of stomach cancer).

Important! If you drink green tea in liters, then you can “drink up” to liver problems, as an overdose of polyphenols will occur.

And I would drink, but health does not order!

If you drink it without taking into account contraindications, then all the benefits of green tea will come to naught. Even such an eminent "doctor" is not shown to everyone.

How to brew Hibiscus tea with benefit?

Diagnoses in which it is better to refuse such a drink:

• urolithiasis: since green tea has a rather pronounced diuretic effect, it can provoke the movement of stones;
• anemia: this drink impairs the absorption of iron in the body;
• ulcer, serious pathologies of the digestive system: if there are such problems, then you will have to exclude this tea from the menu, because it increases acidity;
• nervous disorders that are accompanied by overexcitation, insomnia, tachycardia: tea will only aggravate the patient's condition, as it contains caffeine;
• hypotension: from green tea, the pressure will drop even lower, but this will not happen if you cook it in a weak concentration, but if you pour a “heaped” spoon into one cup, then blood pressure can drop to critical levels;
• gout.

Green tea is also not suitable for young children, because their nervous system is still developing. This means that they do not need to take “stimulants” (even natural ones).

There are different opinions about whether green tea is allowed for expectant mothers. Its benefits and harms to the body of a pregnant woman have not yet been fully investigated. But gynecologists do not recommend leaning on it in the first trimester, as it brings the uterus into increased tone, which causes the risk of fetal rejection.

Starting from the fourth month, such a strict ban is lifted, but in order to eliminate even the slightest risks for the baby, it is better for a woman "in position" to limit herself to one cup of this "medicine" per day.

Drink, so according to the rules!

So how can you use its health-improving properties to get the full benefits of green tea? To feel on your own health healing power drink of Japanese centenarians, you need to learn how to cook it correctly.

Five main secrets of making green tea:

• for brewing, use a faience (in extreme cases, ceramic) teapot with a lid;
• take clean (not tap!) water, add 1 small spoonful of tea leaves to 250 ml of liquid;
• pour them into a preheated teapot;
• wash the tea leaf with mild boiling water (this will reduce the concentration of caffeine), then pour it hot water(with temperature from 70 to 85°);
• do not dilute tea with water, but instead of sugar, take honey instead (add it when the temperature of the drink drops to 50 degrees).

Important! According to connoisseurs of tea traditions, such a drink gives out all its healing properties only from the third brew!

The main claim that green tea is made of, evaluating its health benefits and harms, is that it contains caffeine. Everyone has heard about its negative effect: it makes the bones thinner, promotes calcium leaching, nerves and the heart suffer through its fault. But according to some experts, this drink does not contain caffeine, but theine, it also acts much softer. If you like green tea, drink it in moderation.

Read also:

• What are the benefits of green tea and will it harm?
• Is it good to drink coffee?

The benefits and harms of green tea with milk and how to brew it?

Green tea is a perennial evergreen shrub growing up to 10m in height. The plant has beautiful, long, dark green leaves that have the shape of an oval. The leaves contain supporting sclereids in their pulp. In the axils of the leaves are fragrant flowers, collected 2-4 pieces or singly. The florets and bracts are arranged in a spiral. The fruit of green tea is a box, slightly flattened, consisting of three wings. Inside the fruit there are round-shaped seeds, dark brown in color.

From the end of summer to the last days of autumn, the flowering period of this plant lasts. The plant bears fruit from October to December. Green tea plantations are found in China, India, Japan, South America and Africa.

• Composition of green tea
• The benefits of green tea
• Harm of green tea
• The use of green tea
• How to brew green tea?
• caffeine in green tea
• Green tea with milk
• Green tea for weight loss
• Green tea extract
• Contraindications

Green tea composition:

This fresh, strong drink contains many chemicals, which is why useful action tea. More than half a thousand components are found in its leaves, including calcium, fluorine, which are so necessary for the body, as well as magnesium, phosphorus and many others. It contains several hundred complex compounds of organic origin and most of the known vitamins. The special usefulness of green tea is due to the presence of the following compounds in it:

Caffeine is the main alkaloid, its presence in tea gives strength and energy to our body, invigorates and activates the brain. However, regular tea does not contain caffeine, but its analogue, called theine. Theine action is somewhat milder than caffeine, while it also activates the energy of the human brain, improves mood, and with it performance and activity.

Catechins are flavonoids, excellent antioxidants. Their impact is ten times greater than the effect of vitamins. Drink a cup of green tea throughout the day and your body will get all the polyphenols it needs. A similar effect has been found in catechins in other natural foods, such as carrots, spinach, strawberries, and broccoli. Being an effective antioxidant, this product suppresses free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of cancer. Tea increases natural immunity, destroys microbes, so it is recommended for dysentery.

The benefits of green tea

The benefits of green tea have been known for a long time. Moreover, this fact is recognized not only folk healers but also official institutions. The most venerable pharmaceutical companies, along with cosmetics manufacturers, use this unique, miraculous plant in their products. The beneficial properties of green tea are actively used in nourishing creams and in biologically active additives.

Experience the action of this wonderful product for yourself - wash your face in the morning and before going to bed with a freshly brewed drink, you will feel an improvement in skin tone. It is very useful to wipe the neck and face area with pieces of iced green tea. Repeat this procedure regularly, and you will be provided with a cheerful and cheerful mood. Green tea will help get rid of unhealthy breakouts on your skin, as well as other similar negative symptoms on your face and body.

Green tea can make you beautiful. If you have far-reaching plans for the evening, he will help you become simply stunning. The beauty of your skin will be awakened by such a composition. Mix about 20 g of ordinary flour, egg yolk and strong brewed tea. Apply for 15 min. this mass on the face, thoroughly washing off after that. Your skin will acquire a pleasant color, straighten and tighten. You can enhance this effect with a piece of green tea ice.

Do not ignore black tea, its benefits are also obvious. Our mothers in their youth did without tanning beds to make their skin swarthy. To do this, pour a little water into black tea, put on fire, bring to a boil, and then insist, waiting for the liquid to cool. Wipe the skin with this infusion twice a day. You will become tanned without sunbathing.

But back to green tea. This drink normalizes the processes of digestion. By constantly drinking green tea, you will make your internal organs work faster - the liver, intestines and stomach. You will also notice an additional effect - healthy gums and teeth. You are no longer afraid of stomatitis. All this is facilitated by surprisingly useful components with which tea is saturated. The antioxidants that are present in tea are an amazing preventative against those that have become a real disaster. cancer. AT tea drink present in required quantity well-known antioxidant - zinc. This element is necessary for strengthening nails, hair growth, and it also contributes to the healing of wounds, for example, with cuts.

Green tea preparations have a diuretic effect, but due to the stimulating effect of the plant, it cannot be used as a diuretic.

Green tea - the best remedy from fatigue. Green tea infusion is used as an antimicrobial agent for dysentery. This tea is a means of preventing urolithiasis and cholelithiasis. Green tea maintains the tone of the body and satisfies the feeling of hunger.

The beneficial properties of green tea are due to the fact that its composition contains a large number of various bioactive substances, trace elements and vitamins. During the production of the product, tea leaves do not undergo complete oxidation (fermentation), due to which they retain their green color. Thanks to gentle drying, the beneficial substances and vitamins in the leaves are not destroyed, unlike black tea.

How useful is green tea? This healing drink has a tonic effect on all body systems. It contains caffeine and tannin, which stimulate the mental activity of the brain. It is useful to drink for the prevention of blood clots, it lowers blood sugar levels, protects the liver from toxins and alleviates the symptoms of stage 2 diabetes.

This drink is recommended to be consumed after suffering colds for faster recovery. It is said to be able to speed up the healing of wounds and burns. Regular consumption of tea leaf infusion relieves the symptoms of certain skin diseases.

Harm of green tea

A strong drink is definitely harmful for:

The absorption of iron. Caffeine interferes with the absorption of essential iron.

Harm of tea from improper use:

It has already been said that old tea harmful. When stored for a long time, it accumulates a lot of purines. Although at the time of brewing they are already formed, but over time, the processes of their formation increase and after half an hour tea is no longer worth drinking.

The combined use of tea and alcohol causes an intense formation of aldehydes that harm the kidneys.

Excessive consumption of the drink causes a state of intoxication, the head starts to hurt, nausea, dizziness rolls.

Brewing tea with boiling water makes it practically useless, since the most valuable substances are destroyed. But harmful elements are significantly added, the same purines, for example.

The use of green tea

Green tea is used for atherosclerosis, hypertension and various poisoning, even with alcohol. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight obesity, weakness and fatigue. And also preparations from green tea are used for diarrhea, burns from sunlight, from caries and in various diets. Green tea is able to absorb about 90% of the isotope, preventing it from adversely affecting the human body. Thanks to their medicinal properties green tea stops the growth of cancerous tumors.

Tooth decay is the most common problem for many teenagers and adults. Green tea quickly and effectively destroys bacteria in the mouth that prevent cavities from forming.

Green tea reduces cholesterol in the body, makes blood vessels more elastic, normalizes lipid metabolism, accelerates fat metabolism and prevents the body from aging quickly.

Green tea is an excellent diaphoretic. And if you mix it with lemon, the effect will be even better. In addition, green tea removes toxins from the body.

Green tea infusion for atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Take 3 grams of dry green tea and wash it with boiling water - this is necessary to reduce the caffeine content in it. Next, pour green tea with 100 ml of boiling water and leave for about 10 minutes. Take this tea in a glass at a time three times a day. But, given the fact that a person takes green tea, it is necessary to drink no more than 1.2 liters of liquid per day (this includes 3 glasses of tea itself).

Green tea infusion for dysentery. Take 25 grams of crushed raw materials of the plant and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Leave everything to brew for half an hour. Then we put the composition on weak fire for 1 hour. After that, you need to strain the finished infusion. We store such a drink only in the refrigerator. Take an infusion of 2 tablespoons 30 minutes before meals 4 times a day.

Tea for indigestion. Many people suffer from this disease. Green tea will help with it. This plant contains bactericidal substances that destroy pathogens in the intestines and stomach. To get rid of an upset stomach, it is enough to drink strong green tea for 2-3 days in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening - and the ailment will pass.

Infusion for vitamin deficiency. We take 3 grams of crushed tea and pour 100 ml of boiling water, leave to brew for 10 minutes. After that, add 1 teaspoon of rosehip syrup to it. Every day after a meal, we take such an infusion of 100 ml three times, only in a warm form.

How to brew green tea?

In order for green tea to be useful and give the effect that is expected from it, it must be brewed correctly.

There are three things to take seriously:

The most important of them is the temperature of the water and its quality.

Portion of brewed tea.

duration of the welding process.

Optimal combinations of these three parameters will give an excellent drink. Let's dwell on this in more detail.

1. How to determine the optimal portion of tea? Here it is necessary to take into account the size of the tea leaves, as well as the density of the tea leaves that you want to get. On average, one teaspoon is taken, based on a full glass of water.

2. What is the duration of the brewing process? This parameter depends on the size of the tea leaves, as well as the desired tonic effect - intense or slightly slowed down. Please note that theine, which causes such a desired tonic effect, dissolves in the first minute of the brewing process. Then there is a preferential saturation of tea leaves with tannins. Only after them our body assimilates theine itself. Therefore, when you expect an intense charge of vivacity from the tea ceremony, tea leaves should not be kept in tea leaves for more than one - one and a half minutes. On the contrary, if you want a not too intense surge of strength, but a long one, hold the tea leaves a little longer than indicated in the instructions. But keep in mind that the tea will turn out slightly bitter in this case. By experimenting with this indicator, you will find options that are acceptable for each specific case.

3. What kind of water should be used for brewing? As with most drinks, the best option- water from a spring source. Since not everyone lives near a spring, filtered water can be used. When there is not even one, then at least give the tap water time to stand a little. Purchased distilled water is not suitable for brewing. Also, do not boil water for tea again. In general, it is unacceptable for water to boil over, since it is by no means unacceptable to brew tea with fresh boiling water!

4. What kind of dishes do you prefer for brewing green tea? The best cookware is the one that holds the heat for a long time. Clay or porcelain teapots work well. Japanese tea connoisseurs use a teapot made of enameled cast iron, while Arabs prefer silverware. Dishes should not have foreign odors. To do this, pre-rinsing the dishes with boiling water will help a lot. It is also necessary that the cold kettle does not collect the heat of the water into itself, which was intended for brewing.

When, after several brewing procedures, a yellowish coating appears on the inner surface of the kettle, do not rush to remove it. Such a film is a kind of protection against adverse external factors. Maybe this will alert guests who are not familiar with such subtleties of the tea ceremony, but I think you will find a way to explain the situation to them.

5. Direct brewing procedure. The kettle used for this purpose must first be heated over an open fire. Only then pour tea. The spoon must be dry and clean. The teapot is wrapped in a soft cloth. Gourmets of tea ceremonies use special beautiful things for this. The kettle is kept warm for a couple of minutes. The tea leaves are poured into a third of the container with hot water. Withstand another 2-3 minutes, after which the kettle is topped up to the eyeballs.

Cups, preferably also made of clay or porcelain, intended for the tea ceremony, are rinsed with hot water before use. After all, poured into a cold cup hot tea cools down quickly. The total duration of the brewing procedure is on average 3-4 minutes. The drink is poured into cups in small, equal volumes, so the same taste of tea is obtained for all guests.

6. Sometimes tea is prepared in the cup itself (there are also such lovers), apply no more than one tsp. tea leaves. Such a drink is infused for about 2 minutes. The appearance of yellow-brownish foam on the surface of the teapot means correct mode cooking. It is not required to remove the foam, it is simply stirred with a spoon in a cup. Also, do not forget to warm the cup itself, in which the tea is brewed.

7. How many tea leaves are allowed and with what to drink tea? It is generally accepted that sugar is the enemy of green tea. It is better to use honey for dessert, and in its absence - dried fruits. Secondary high-quality tea is brewed up to seven times. However, it is better not to do this more than twice. We take a tiny mini-teapot, brew it once, and then repeat it again. Secondary brewing time is increased. The initial brew has the most tart aroma. Next, the actual taste of tea begins to unfold.

Can you always drink green tea? Many people use this healing drink, thinking that it quenches thirst well. For example, in Central Asia they drink it hot when working in the field, but this is a big mistake. Tea leaf brew is a strong diuretic, and drinking it in the hot season, a person thereby dehydrates his body. In addition, excessive consumption of tea leaves can lead to a deterioration in the state of the nervous system.

caffeine in green tea

Small doses of caffeine with moderate consumption of tea leaves from green leaves tone up, help relieve fatigue, increase physical and mental activity of a person. However, for all beneficial effect This noble drink on the body should not be forgotten about its harm. It is because of caffeine that the abuse of green tea is not recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. This can lead to various complications.

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Green tea with milk

This healing drink, mixed with milk, perfectly cleanses the kidneys, strengthens and tones the body. This “cocktail” is also very fond of Chinese centenarians. Milk neutralizes the effect of caffeine and other alkaloids, and therefore you can drink such a drink without fear for your health. Although this high-calorie product, but the extra calories in it are offset by calcium. An interesting study was conducted in which several women drank a glass of milk daily. Oddly enough, in the end, in addition to all the advantages of such a diet, in the form of strengthening nails, teeth and bones, weight loss was added to the subjects. According to the organizers of the experiment, this phenomenon is associated with calcium deficiency. Subsequently, scientists have developed a special diet based on green tea with milk, and its effectiveness has already been proven empirically. The cleansing processes in the body caused by drinking tea, in combination with a milk diet rich in trace elements, promotes weight loss without any harm associated with emaciation of the body.

What is the essence of such a diet? Two methods can be noted - soft and radical. When you're looking for a boost and don't have stomach issues, tough measures are taken. You should eat only a few fruits per day, giving up all other foods. We drink green tea with milk. Sugar, if the need for it is irresistible, change to a spoonful of honey. In addition to tea with the addition of milk, it is necessary to drink from one and a half liters of plain water. If this is all very difficult for you, then you are still indecisive in your desire to lose weight.

But suppose that you set out to only cleanse yourself of toxins. Then a fasting day is what you need. Such a measure, of course, is much softer - just one day can be tolerated. But you still have to forget about ordinary food on such a day in order to let tea complete its effect.

Consider how to use miracle drink. There are also only two of them, and here are some.

Method one: Gourmets assure that the highest efficiency of the tea-milk diet will be achieved if the tea leaves are prepared directly on milk. That is, water is not used at all. Dry tea is poured with heated milk. In this case, plain water is drunk only separately from the drink.

Method two: This option is considered easier, but not as useful. Boiling water and milk are mixed in equal parts by volume, and tea leaves are poured into such a mixture. Such tea is greener in color, but its taste is not so milky.

We also note that the use of green tea with milk is possible both hot and cold. It doesn't make it any less useful. Green tea is very popular among athletes. Relying on the miraculous properties of tea, it is necessary to use it not only after training, but also before it. The range of beneficial effects of tea is huge. Connoisseurs of bodybuilding, fitness and just people of an active lifestyle include it in their diet. But low blood pressure is a significant reason to refrain from green tea. After all, one of its most important functions is precisely the fight against hypertension.

Green tea for weight loss

The medical community has not yet made a definitive decision on whether green tea affects weight loss, although many people believe in the effectiveness of weight loss with this product. And this way of losing weight has recently become fashionable. It is believed that this infusion enhances metabolic processes in the body and accelerates the removal of fat, it is a powerful antioxidant and helps strengthen blood vessels, increasing their elasticity.

If you feel a little hungry, then instead of a snack, it is better to drink a cup of infusion from tea leaves without sugar. With its regular use, you can lose 2-3 kg, and in combination with a diet, stunning results are achieved. Let's remember the main tea gourmets - Chinese and Japanese. Finding a fat man among them is very difficult. What is the ability of tea to get rid of excess weight? It turned out that among the useful qualities of green tea, it is precisely those that can cause weight loss that prevail. The drink perfectly cleanses the body, improves the functioning of the stomach and intestines, removing toxins, and increases metabolism. The positive effect of tea on accelerating the breakdown of fats has been proven. This drink allows you to forget about hunger.

1. Half an hour before a meal, just drink some tea (however, we note that drinking green tea before a meal is bad for the stomach. If you decide to drink it before a meal, then only 15 minutes before a meal). This is a great way to lose weight. For a single dose, a teaspoon is brewed into 300 g of water, infused for about two minutes and drunk without sugar. Such a technique will somewhat reduce the feeling of hunger, but at the same time it will speed up the processes responsible for the digestion of food, fat burning. It can be recommended to add plants to regular tea, which also contribute to weight loss. Among them, for example, hibiscus, distinguished by its mild laxative and diuretic effects. Hawthorn fruits are also suitable, absorbing fats, lowering cholesterol. Another addition is finely ground cinnamon. With her, tea becomes exquisite, pleasant taste, and metabolism will increase by an order of magnitude. Finally, even a brutal appetite suppresses a spoonful of flax seed, eaten with a cup of green tea.

2. Add green tea to your dinner table. There is one recipe that will probably seem original and even somewhat strange to you. Try grinding tea into a fine powder with a coffee grinder. Eat a spoonful of this powder during any of your meals. You can drink it with water. You can not even eat the powder in pure form, and, say, sprinkle them with cold snacks, for example, salads, cereals, Olivier. You should not just add it to various soups or cocktails containing a lot of liquid. In such dishes, the powder will simply dissolve and its effect will be significantly lower or simply weakened. This recipe has come down to us from China. And in this country people know how to keep a figure.

3. If you are already on a diet, then tea is excellent to improve the effect. Generally the best nutritionists It is recommended to drink green tea as often as possible when losing weight. Eating fruit and vegetable dishes helps to quickly get rid of excess weight. At the same time, reduce the amount of sweets and flour products in your diet. Replace fried meat with fats with boiled. Try to reduce the amount of salt and especially sugar in your food. But all kinds of cereals - buckwheat, rice should be welcome on your table. Of course, also in reasonable quantities. And remember, drink green tea regularly, as there are no restrictions on its intake when losing weight. Now let's talk about the most successful combinations of dietary rations and green tea.

How does green tea affect weight loss? The acceleration of metabolic processes is not the only factor influencing weight loss in the arsenal of tea. There are several other useful functions in this direction, we list them:

mild diuretic properties, contributing, respectively, to the removal of excess fluid. Although among all the products that are usually used in conjunction with green tea, milk does not appear in any way, in order to lose weight, this ceremonial can be bypassed. Adding a little to tea skimmed milk, can be sharply enhanced diuretic effect, more liquid will be output. And this tool is a good prevention of swelling of the legs and feet.

polyphenols, contained in excess in tea, enhance the body's heat exchange through the efficient processing of deposited fats. Drinking several cups of tea a day, according to scientists, can increase the amount of fat burned by almost one and a half times.

A decrease in blood sugar also favors weight loss, because it helps not to feel hungry ahead of time. Drink just a cup of tea before meals, and lunch will seem much more satisfying to you, which means you can eat less. Those such a hearty meal, as usual, is also an ally in the fight against excess weight.

The question may arise, how long should green tea be a mandatory component of the diet? Literally two weeks will be enough for this, the result of the tea diet will be the body's habit of healthy eating, a moderate diet. You will get a double benefit - first there will be getting rid of excess fluid, and only then the fat will be utilized. By accustoming the body to a healthy diet, you can sometimes indulge yourself not at all. dietary products, without fear that this will lead to extra pounds of weight.

Green tea extract

Such an extract is made from the green, non-fermented leaves of the plant. It is used in the cosmetic and food industries. In cosmetology, masks, creams, shampoos and much more are produced on its basis. Such a widespread use of this product is due to the fact that preparations from tea leaves have a beneficial effect on preserving the youthfulness of the skin and its beauty. In the cosmetology field, the extract is used as a preservative, antioxidant, stabilizer. natural dyes and as a deodorant.

Green tea extract nourishes and moisturizes the skin, improves and strengthens its very structure. It also prevents skin aging, enhancing its protective functions, and at the cellular level has a general positive impact. In the food industry, green tea extract is used as a natural antioxidant to prevent the oxidation of oils and fats. It is a stabilizer for a number of unstable and rapidly oxidizing compounds.

Contraindications to the use of green tea

While green tea has many health benefits, it should not be consumed in excess. It is generally contraindicated for people with hypotension, since green tea reduces blood pressure. Ulcers are also better off not using green tea preparations.

If you have drunk alcohol, then forget about green tea! If alcohol and green tea are consumed at the same time, then aldehydes are formed, and this will have an extremely negative effect on the kidneys. It is undesirable to use preparations from green tea and on an empty stomach.

Is green tea healthy? And if yes, to whom and to what extent?

This drink has been used since ancient times to relieve depression and headaches, and modern people also note its ability to burn fat, lower blood pressure and the level of bad LDL cholesterol in the blood. Today the Forest Fairy blog will take a closer look at the beneficial properties of green tea for the human body, right ways its brewing and individual cases under which its use can be harmful to your health.

Before you find out what the real benefits of green tea are and what contraindications there are for it, check out these interesting facts:

1. Green tea is extracted from the same plant as black tea. It is called tea bush or Chinese camellia. Approximately 3/4 of the leaves from these bushes eventually become black tea, 20-22% - green, and less than 2% - oolong tea.
2. Green tea is green because it is not fermented. This means that during processing it undergoes minimal oxidation and the active ingredients in its composition remain intact.
3. It contains caffeine.
4. A cup of green tea is 99% water, so this drink great for body hydration. For the same reason, the benefits of tea directly depend on the quality of the water with which you brew it.
5. In its pure form, green tea does not contain fats and sugars, and also has a very low calorie content. Adding sugar does not destroy the nutrients in green tea, but it increases the calorie content and reduces the overall health of the drink.

The benefits and harms of green tea for the body. What does this drink contain?

Green tea is a rich source of potassium, vitamin C and some B vitamins, which dissolve well in water and are absorbed by our body. Another important component of green tea is the antioxidant flavonoids, including proanthocyanidins who are actively fighting age-related diseases, diseases of the circulatory and digestive systems.

More about the beneficial properties of green tea will tell you this table and the information below.

Figure source: US National Database of nutrients for standard reference. The numbers characterize regular, water-brewed green tea and may vary slightly depending on the variety and growing conditions of the product.

Antioxidants in green tea and their effect on the body

Green tea is distinguished by a rather high content of plant antioxidants - flavonoids and catechins, the most active of which is epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. This is a very powerful antioxidant, which, according to many scientists, can slow down the growth of cancer cells and the aging of the body. Together with other antioxidants found in green tea, including proanthocyanidins, it also helps:

• Facilitate digestion and speed up the metabolism in the body;
• Lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels in the blood;
• Freshen breath and eliminate bacteria that cause cavities and other oral diseases.

Attention: To date, not enough clinical studies have been conducted to be able to confidently use green tea or its extracts in the treatment of cancer and cardiovascular disease. For example, studies that confirmed the ability of green tea to reduce the risk of developing liver cancer were carried out only among the Chinese and Japanese population.

However, it should be noted that studies conducted in 2015 in large groups of men and women found a direct link between drinking 1 cup of green tea daily and a 5% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, as well as 4 % reduction in the risk of death from any cause. The source of information: British Journal of Nutrition.

Still, current data on how green tea affects different people with their individual characteristics remains rather limited. Before using it for medicinal purposes, be sure to consult your doctor and follow the recommended dose.

Caffeine in green tea - good or bad?

A cup of green tea contains an average of about 30 mg of caffeine. For comparison: black tea contains an average of 55 mg, Red Bull- 75 mg, and regular coffee - 90 mg of caffeine per cup of 250 mg. How does this affect a person?

Caffeine is known to have a stimulating effect on the brain, giving a sense of strength and uplifting mood. However, the antioxidant EGCG and L-theanine in green tea neutralize the effects of caffeine to some extent and make this drink much safer. L-theanine is one of the few amino acids that has been shown to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, relax, improve learning, and boost immunity. Therefore, a cup of green tea can always be drunk in the evening without fear of insomnia.

Note: in the usual way of brewing tea, we get quite a small amount of L-theanine. To completely release it into a drink, the first brew of green tea is drained, after which the leaves are boiled at a high temperature of water up to 127 ° C.

Here you also need to pay attention to the fact that caffeine contributes to dehydration and is considered a good diuretic. There are studies that have shown that the catechins in green tea prevent the caffeine from dehydrating the body. However, many people have noticed that after drinking tea, they begin to run to the toilet more often. Therefore, just listen to your body and do not abuse this drink if it has the same effect on you.

Finally, we note that many scientists consider the caffeine in green tea to be safe and have even given it GRAS (certainly safe foods and ingredients) status. In any case, today green tea remains the safest and most beneficial of all caffeinated beverages.

Also read: Most healthy nuts and their properties

Green tea: raises or lowers blood pressure?

Due to the caffeine content, the question often arises: does green tea increase or decrease blood pressure? We have already mentioned above that L-theanine neutralizes the effects of caffeine, but the amount of this amino acid in the drink directly depends on the method of brewing it. It also contains catechins, which have a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. What is the effect of green tea in general?

All the experiments carried out gave one result: green tea lowers blood pressure. The cumulative benefits of green tea for hypertensive patients are obvious! A general meta-analysis of studies showed that the systematic consumption of green tea for 3-6 months contributes to a decrease in systolic and diastolic pressure by about 3 mm Hg. Art.

Does Green Tea Really Help You Lose Weight?

No global studies confirming the benefits of green tea for weight loss have yet been conducted. However, there whole line Facts supporting this claim:

1. Green tea has the ability to speed up metabolic processes, which makes the human body burn calories faster without any exercise.
2. Green tea is not able to suppress appetite, but it allows you to temporarily increase the endurance of the body. Polyphenols in its composition accelerate thermogenesis (the production of heat by our body to keep all its systems working) and promote the use of calories as energy.
3. The catechins in green tea help regulate blood sugar levels and prevent obesity by preventing glucose from being stored in fat cells.
4. Caffeine, which we talked about above, interacts well with polyphenols and also increases the rate of fat burning.

Slowly but surely, green tea helps to lose weight by causing the body to lose fat while maintaining muscle mass.

Possible harm of green tea to the human body

Moderate regular consumption of green tea is considered generally safe, but there are still some limitations and contraindications for it.

So, green tea can be toxic to the liver if the recommended consumption rates are exceeded (10-29 mg of tea per 1 kg of body weight per day). In addition, too high doses of green tea, which contains a lot of antioxidants, can begin to act as a pro-oxidant and damage healthy cells in the body.

Learn all about how antioxidants work.

Heartburn and indigestion are common consequences of overconsumption and/or improper brewing of green tea. This harm can be prevented by brewing the drink with water well below boiling point. Ideal - in the range of 71-82 degrees Celsius.

Also, green tea may be contraindicated in the following cases:

• Iron-deficiency anemia. Consuming green tea can create an iron deficiency in your body, which greatly affects people who are anemic. This harmful property of tea can be neutralized by adding lemon to it.
• Allergy. Extremely rare, but still, some people have an allergic reaction to Chinese green tea: swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue and / or face, fever.
• Sensitivity to caffeine. With excessive consumption or hypersensitivity to caffeine, green tea can cause a person to be anxious, have a palpitation of the heart, irritability, sleep problems, etc.
• Pregnancy. Green tea is not recommended for pregnant women to consume in large quantities, especially in the early stages. Caffeine, tannins and catechins in its composition can lead to birth defects.
• Taking medication. If you are taking any medications, be sure to check with your doctor about your green tea intake.

How much green tea can you drink per day

Of course, the benefits of green tea depend on the amount you consume. Experts recommend drinking from 10 to 29 mg of green tea per 1 kg of body weight per day. Thus, for a person weighing 60 kg, the recommended dose is in the range of 600-1740 mg (from 2 to 6 cups), and for a person weighing 85 kg - in the range of 850-2465 mg (3-9 cups). However, given the existing contraindications and research data, it is better not to bring the amount of tea drunk per day to the upper limit. According to several studies, a dose of 6 cups of green tea is too much for normal daily consumption. Side effects of this intake can include frequent urination (and, as a result, dehydration), diarrhea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, and loss of appetite.

Be healthy!

Green tea is an ambiguous drink. It is made from tea tree leaves that have not been fermented. Known rich chemical composition green tea. What a person eats and drinks affects his health. Drinks sold in stores contain chemical substances, which are not very useful for the body.

What a drink for a long time there is no doubt - it's green tea. However, it is worth knowing all its features, because green tea can bring benefits and harm to health to the same extent.

Compound

Due to the fact that the processing of fresh products mainly consists in evaporating moisture from the tea leaf, the color and composition of the finished tea leaves are as close as possible to the natural original product. Only the concentration of useful substances becomes many times greater.

The chemical composition includes such an abundance of elements that green tea is considered one of the most valuable products for the human body. It contains vitamins, microelements, and macronutrients.

Tea composition:

1. Vitamins - for example, vitamin P, which contributes to the health and elasticity of blood vessels and supports the cardiovascular system as a whole; vitamin C, which is more in green tea than in lemons and oranges; vitamin K, which ensures normal blood clotting; vitamin B, which has a beneficial effect on nervous system; vitamins A, PP, D and E.
2. Minerals and trace elements - for example, zinc, necessary for the growth and strengthening of hair, teeth and nails; as well as iodine, which supports the endocrine system; fluorine, which strengthens the gums and teeth; potassium is a friend of the heart muscle; copper, promoting women's health, and manganese. The minerals contained in the leaves help correct work internal organs, strengthen the immune system, maintain the balance of all body systems and normalize metabolism, which, among other things, contributes to weight loss.
3. Caffeine - well, everyone knows caffeine, its invigorating and tonic properties are familiar to coffee lovers, but with green tea, everything is not so simple. The fact is that it contains “another caffeine” - theine, the effect of which is much softer, and at the same time longer. In addition, it is excreted from the body completely without causing side effects. When I, an experienced coffee addict, suddenly began to jump pressure, my doctor recommended replacing morning coffee with green tea, and the positive experience inspired me so much that I completely switched to it. Surprisingly, the pressure returned to normal.
4. Antioxidants - flavonoids (catechins), which not only slow down the aging process, but even protect against cancer. There is an opinion that green tea, rich in catechins like no other, slows down and even stops the growth of tumors. Catechins also regulate blood sugar, which makes this drink incredibly beneficial for diabetics.

Green tea contains four main catechin components. Only one of these components is 100 times the antioxidant properties of vitamin C. Studies have shown that a cup of green tea contains up to 40 mg of polyphenols, which is many times higher than the antioxidant effect of the same apples, spinach or broccoli.

Harm of green tea

The composition of green tea includes substances that have both positive and negative impact on the human body. In addition, green tea contains theophylline and theobromine, which have a stimulating effect on the human nervous system. That is why the infusion of tea leaves is not recommended for people with increased excitability and insomnia.

Remember that the recommended temperature of the brewing water is around 80-90 degrees. Without a thermometer at hand, determining the right temperature is quite simple. It is necessary to open the lid of the kettle and when the steam begins to rise, bring your hand to it. The steam must not burn the hand. This is the optimum temperature. Learn once and for all - boiling water destroys most of the beneficial substances in tea, making this drink useless!

A strong drink is definitely harmful in such situations:

1. During pregnancy. It prevents natural breakdown folic acid, so vital to the developing brain of an unborn baby. All this is due to the content in it of a large dose of a chemical drug with the unpronounceable name "gallatepigallocatechin". Again, we mention caffeine, which is contraindicated for pregnant women. Whether black tea prevents the breakdown of folic acid has not been proven for certain, but it does contain caffeine. Just a few cups of any tea per day can cause the birth of a child with low weight, stimulate premature labor with possible fetal death.
2. With an unstable nervous system and with diseases of the cardiovascular tract. Of course, theine is bad for them. But tea is rich in more than just theine, it contains substances that actively affect these systems, which causes it harmful effect such as theobromine.
3. With a stomach ulcer. Rather, tea is contraindicated than really harmful. Strong tea, and green tea in particular, increases the acidity of gastric juice, and this, in turn, prevents natural process wound healing. As a result, the patient's condition may worsen significantly.
4. At a temperature. Tea contains theophylline, which can raise a person's temperature. Therefore, a patient with a temperature, drinking green tea, will worsen his condition even more.
5. With an unhealthy liver. This is where green tea comes into play. Some of the compounds found in tea are extremely taxing on the liver, especially if the drink is drunk in large quantities. But in black tea, these compounds are very few.
6. For the skeleton and bones. The analyzes put by scientists on animals showed unexpected results. It turns out that tea has a negative effect on the skeleton and, in particular, on the density of bone tissue. In fairness, we note that such studies have not been done on humans.
7. Washing out beneficial trace elements. Tea removes metals from the body. Again because of theine.
8. For teeth. Although the opposite effect was mentioned here, there is evidence that tea has a detrimental effect on tooth enamel. What to believe? You can’t answer for sure, but it’s hardly worth rinsing your teeth with tea when brushing.
9. Urea formation. Any tea is rich in purines, which in the process of assimilation synthesize urea. It is known to be poisonous, and is removed from the body with difficulty. Its salts synthesize crystals that develop gout. In addition, green tea disrupts the condition of people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism.

What is harmful green tea bags:

1. The composition of the overwhelming number of brands of packaged teas includes the so-called tea trash(damaged leaves, petioles, sticks), which is rejected in the production of quality loose leaf teas. The taste and benefits of such tea dust are minimal.
2. Many brands of tea in bags, in addition to the tea leaf itself, contain various plant components (tree leaves, grass) of dubious quality or origin.
3. Often, expired tea leaves are used for the production of tea bags. The composition of the paper in which tea is packaged includes thermoplastic fiber (for shaping). This substance, in contact with hot water, releases various harmful substances.

Extremely hot drink should not be taken in large doses. Therefore, if you constantly consume excessively heated tea, burns of the internal organs inevitably occur. They are deformed, painfully shrink, cracks form on the tissues. These types of burns certainly increase the risk of cancer. It should be noted here that this is not a harm to tea as such.

Benefits of green tea

The beneficial properties of green tea have long been used in Asia - China, Japan, Central Asian peoples use this "health cocktail" daily: chilled in the heat, hot - in the cold season. Look at Japanese women - their wonderful skin, youthfulness and harmony have long served as a model for all women.

Of course, a seafood-rich diet also plays an important role in maintaining youth and health, but the "drink of life" - green tea - is one of the most important components of this diet. Do you think that in vain movie stars and glamorous divas in their expensive spas have long ago made it a fashion to indulge in a cup of green tea, which is excellent for cleansing and rejuvenating the body?

The product has a huge number of useful properties, but the most important of them are:

1. Decreased growth of cancerous tumors. The ability to stop and delay the growth of various types of tumors and fight the activity of cancer cells (however, according to some studies, green tea is ineffective against breast tumors).
2. The ability to remove free radicals from the body and protect against the effects of increased radiation.
3. Prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system up to heart attacks and strokes, lowering blood pressure.
4. Breakdown of fats, removal of harmful cholesterol from the body, normalization of metabolism and weight control.
5. Fight against diseases of the oral cavity, eliminate periodontal disease and bad breath, prevent tooth decay.
6. Normalization and maintenance of healthy intestinal microflora.
7. Removal from the body of toxins, salts, including compounds of radioactive metals.
8. Maintaining vigor and daily activity, combating reduced vitality, drowsiness, headache.
9. Improvement of brain (mental) activity, reaction.
10. Removal of anxiety, depression, stress, normalization of sleep (with proper use).
11. decline pernicious influence tobacco on the body.
12. Fight against urolithiasis and cholelithiasis. Restoration of water balance in the body.
13. Slowing down the aging process, increasing the overall tone of the body.
14. Improving the work of the endocrine, cardiovascular, immune and digestive systems.
15. Maintaining visual acuity, good skin and hair condition.

How to prepare green tea

There are many recipes for making this drink, but first of all, you need to understand what kind of effect you want to achieve by using it. If it's a matter of taste preferences, then you can brew it almost anywhere - someone likes the combination of tea with milk or lemon, someone chooses flavored or mixed varieties, some add a drop of honey or sugar to their taste.

• use ceramic, porcelain or glassware for brewing;
• brew tea with not too hot water - 60-80 degrees will be enough (tea will be brewed even in absolutely cold water). In order to determine whether the water has reached the desired temperature, you need to listen - bubbles in boiling water should make noise like wind in a pine forest;
• during brewing, do not put sweet additives - it is better to add them immediately before use;
• various additives to tea will help enhance certain properties of tea - tea with milk will help satisfy hunger; hibiscus will enhance metabolic processes and give the tea a slight diuretic effect.

Green tea will turn out much tastier if you heat the teapot with steam, pour tea at the rate of a teaspoon per glass, pour hot water over it. You can brew tea with milk, or make tea in the usual way, and add milk to taste. Such a drink will help satisfy hunger and normalize blood pressure.

Green tea raises or lowers blood pressure?

As you know, the terms arterial hypertension and arterial hypertension are considered synonymous. Although, to be precise, "hypertension" means an increase in vascular tone, and "hypertension" - "an increase in pressure in the system."

An increase in blood pressure up to 140/90 mm Hg. not always associated with an increase in vascular tone. High values ​​can be observed with their normal and even reduced tone due to an increase in cardiac output due to various reasons. Therefore, discussions about the benefits of green teas for lowering or increasing blood pressure continue.

• According to one point of view, there is no change in indicators. Caffeine, which is part of the composition, stimulates cardiac activity, which initially increases blood pressure. At the same time, the vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata, which is responsible for the narrowing or expansion of blood vessels, gives the command to reduce the tone, as a result of which the indicators quickly return to normal. Studies have found that a green drink has the property of thinning the blood, making it more fluid. As a result, the load on the heart muscle is significantly reduced, pressure indicators are normalized, and the risk of stroke is reduced.
• Other studies, with varying degrees of certainty, confirm the benefits of green tea to reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, strengthen and increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels due to the high content of tannins in it. Best effect achieved by using high quality varieties made from top young leaves.
• Green tea varieties are useful for their diuretic effect and therefore can be used in the treatment of cardiovascular or kidney diseases, reducing swelling. The results obtained allow us to recommend that everyone who is healthy drink a green drink to reduce the risk of arterial hypertension, as well as in the initial stage of this disease. Many patients report normalization or a noticeable decrease in performance, improvement. But it is not necessary to talk about the complete cure of the disease in this way.

More years of research is required to draw a more definitive conclusion about the blood pressure lowering benefits of green tea when consumed regularly.

Green tea with milk

Perhaps the healthiest drink for tooth enamel is green tea with milk, tea bags or brewed from the leaves. Due to the high content of calcium (495 mg), it effectively strengthens tooth enamel and prevents its thinning. In addition, when consumed with milk, tea does not stain teeth (unlike black tea, the pigment of which is not always neutralized even by milk).

Another property that green tea in bags with milk is useful for is that it has an alkaline environment (thanks to milk), which means it can neutralize the acidity of the stomach. Therefore, the benefits of green tea with milk in any form for people suffering from heartburn, gastritis, and high acidity are obvious. When ingested, this drink, due to its alkaline environment, reduces the acidity of gastric juice. As a result, the severity of attacks of gastritis and heartburn decreases. To improve the taste, it can be consumed with honey, jasmine, mint, lemon balm and other additives.

What is the best way to drink green tea?

To bring green tea maximum benefit, choose high-quality large-leaf products. It is desirable that the product contains only one ingredient. If you want to improve taste qualities, then you can do it yourself by adding natural products, not flavors of unknown origin.

Tea is drunk freshly brewed. Within an hour, the concentration of vitamins in it is significantly reduced. Do not heat tea, because harmful compounds are formed in it. High-quality varieties are brewed 2-3 times, while the time for infusion increases by 20 seconds each time.

A hot drink destroys tooth enamel, irritates the stomach, and a cold drink is poorly absorbed and becomes less useful.

Green tea is a source of health and longevity, in Eastern countries he was always considered healing drink. In Russia, most people drink black tea, but green varieties are also beginning to spread throughout the country. Unlike black tea, green tea contains a large amount of catechins - substances that have antioxidant properties, prolong life, slow down aging, protect blood vessels, and prevent the development of diabetes. Green tea also contains polyphenols, which lower blood cholesterol levels, break down fat, and speed up metabolism.

The fluoride contained in the tea strengthens teeth and prevents the development of caries. Also, this drink has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and, which help with infectious and dysbacteriosis. Tea removes toxins and metal salts from the body.

Continue list beneficial effects You can drink green tea for a long time, but you can talk about its benefits only if you drink high-quality tea, brew it correctly and limit consumption.

Strongly brewed green tea for people with nervous exhaustion, it can lead to insomnia and loss of strength, it is also undesirable to drink this drink for those who suffer. It is not recommended to drink large amounts of tea at the time, there is evidence that the abuse of green tea for people who have pressure problems.

How often and how much to drink green tea

No need to give up this drink just because it has some harmful properties, as its useful qualities outweigh them several times. To reduce the harm of tea to a minimum, you need to follow a few simple rules. First, do not brew too much strong tea- this drink has a large amount of caffeine and has an effect on the nervous system. Secondly, doctors say that you can drink no more than ten cups a day - in fact, this is a large amount, so it’s easy to follow this rule. It is important to choose high-quality brands of tea, preferably large-leaf, not.

Tea bags can also be good, but it is more likely that tea waste is mixed in paper bags along with tea leaves.

It is also undesirable to drink green tea on an empty stomach, as it irritates the gastric mucosa, but after eating this drink only stimulates digestion. Do not drink medicines with tea, as it removes chemicals from the body and thereby reduces the effect of the pills.