Green tea heals. Green tea

Green tea for many very useful product. But is this true? There have been debates about the dangers and benefits of tea for a long time. Let's figure it out.

There is no doubt that tea gives us a pleasant pastime not only because of its taste and aroma, but because of its ability to tone, give strength and energy, and lift our spirits. Many people perceive green tea as medicine, because it tends to reduce blood pressure, being hot and raising it if the drink is cold. Green tea has proven properties to lower cholesterol, fight body fat, stimulate the immune system, etc.

As you know, tea, be it green, black or white, is still tea. The only difference is in its processing and storage. If you go to a specialty store, you can see many varieties of both green and black tea. The taste of tea varies from strong to delicate due to the production technology when choosing raw materials - buds, young green upper leaves or fully ripened leaves. Most quality tea obtained from the first leaves of the tea bush.

It is believed that the healthiest and most popular teas are grown in China and produced in Japan. If we compare green and black teas, or rather the technology of their production, then in the production of green tea they use more gentle processing of leaves, so green tea has much more benefits than black tea.

Fermentation and further processing of tea

The fermentation of the tea determines whether it is black or green, red or white. Tea fermentation is the degree of oxidation of tea leaves during drying. It is believed that the less fermented the tea, the more it retains the original herbal taste, aroma of fresh herbs and beneficial substances.

The further processing of tea leaves (rolling) determines how long its natural properties will remain and how much better quality it will be brewed. Further drying of the tea is necessary to remove residual moisture, after which the finished product tea product appears dark color, persistent aroma and mild taste. This tea is stored only in airtight, opaque containers.

Beneficial properties of green tea

Green tea contains the following beneficial substances:

• Caffeine or theine– psychostimulant. Green tea has more caffeine than black tea because green tea is processed more gently. Therefore, when they say that green tea is less invigorating, this is fundamentally wrong.
• Catechins– antioxidants that destroy free radicals and remove the metals cadmium and lead, radioactive compounds and mercury. They are also tannins
• Tannins– fight pathogenic microorganisms, have disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.
• Tannat- This is a combination of tannin with theine, which slows down the absorption of caffeine. If we compare the properties of green tea with coffee, then green tea has a milder invigorating effect.
• Polyphenols– flavonoids or substances that are responsible for the state of vascular permeability
• Vitamins: C, A, K, P, PP and group B, pantothenic acid. After processing, green tea retains much more vitamins than black tea.
• Microelements: potassium, copper, iodine

How to brew green tea

Preserving the beneficial properties of tea depends on how well we know how to brew it correctly.

First way

• Use a porcelain teapot to brew green tea.
• Rinse it with boiling water.
• Take one teaspoon of tea per medium cup and pour it into the teapot
• Pour the tea with purified water, which has not been brought to a boil (about 80 degrees) and brew for no more than three minutes - this is the first brew
• Fill it a second time hot water, but now insist 30-40 seconds longer than before
• This brewing of the same portion of green tea can be done up to 5-7 times without deteriorating its properties. They say that the third brew is the healthiest and tastiest when preparing green tea this way.

Second way

• To prepare tea we use a porcelain or clay teapot and bowl
• Pour dry tea into the kettle at the rate of one teaspoon per serving.
• Fill heavily hot water and then let it sit for a couple of minutes
• Pour tea into a bowl
• Pour from the bowl into the teapot
• We repeat this manipulation several times

When brewed this way, the tea “breathes” - it is saturated with oxygen and cools slightly. After 5-7 pours from the teapot into the bowl and back, pour the tea into cups and enjoy the drink.

They say that invigorating effect tea has a two-minute brewing time, but if you brew it for 5 minutes, the tea becomes soothing. If you brew tea for more than 10 minutes, you can get a bitter brew.

Drinking no more than six cups of green tea per day is considered the most optimal; this helps normalize metabolic processes.

If you have eaten a lot of fatty foods, then after half an hour - an hour, drink a cup of green tea, this will help better digestion.

If you have a hangover in the morning, a few large mugs of strong green tea will bring you back to normal. Attention! If you have hypertension, then you should not drink tea if you have a hangover! Yes, myselfA hangover with hypertension is unacceptable.

If you get motion sickness on the road, chew the dry tea leaves and this symptom will go away unnoticed.

If you brew green tea with lemon, this will help preserve all the microelements of the tea. in full and make it more useful than usual. After all, vitamin C neutralizes tannin, which interferes with the absorption of microelements and vitamins.

Harm and contraindications for drinking green tea

In addition to its beneficial properties, green tea also has contraindications and can also cause harm.

You should not drink green tea if:

• Increased excitability
• Insomnia
• Tachycardia and arrhythmias

Today there is a lot of information about the benefits of green tea, but can you trust it? Indeed, the fact that this drink helps to cope with many diseases was known back in ancient times. For centuries it has been used as a preventive and medicinal product, and modern doctors have only confirmed its properties. Let's try to figure out in what cases it is worth drinking green tea.

The chemical composition of this drink is very rich. About a third of it is occupied by valuable tannins, which are various compounds of tannin, catechins, polyphenols, etc. High-grade green tea contains twice as much tannin as black tea. The chemical combination of this substance with caffeine has a stimulating effect and affects the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

This tea is also rich in alkaloids - for example, it contains more caffeine than natural coffee– 1-4%, there is also theobromine and theophylline.

The drink also contains protein substances – amino acids and enzymes. Most of them are found in green tea from Japan.

It also contains a lot of vitamins. Green tea leaves contain more vitamin P than citrus fruits, and there is also a lot of vitamin C. They enhance each other’s effects, help strengthen the immune system and protect the body’s cells from destruction. In addition, in this tea There is six times more carotene (vitamin A) than in carrots, and it helps remove free radicals and improves vision.

Excessive consumption of green tea can lead to loss of energy, nausea and increased blood pressure.

The drink is very rich in B vitamins: this is vitamin B1, which regulates the water balance in the body, B2, which strengthens hair, nails and immunity, B3, which cleanses the blood of cholesterol. It also contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that strengthens cell membranes.

Of the trace elements and minerals found in green tea, calcium, fluorine, iron, iodine, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, gold, and sodium are found. It also contains valuable essential oils, which, unfortunately, are often lost during processing.

Benefits of green tea (Video)

The extremely rich composition of green tea allows it to be used under the most various diseases or drink for prevention. This drink is an excellent stimulant for the nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems. If you use it regularly, you will notice that over time you will begin to get sick less. This is explained not only by the stimulation of the body’s defenses, but also by the drink’s own antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity.

Green tea helps cleanse the body of carcinogens. It removes heavy metals from the body and, according to some studies, even fights cancer. To some extent, this drink can even neutralize the harmful effects of various radiations, which will be useful for those who spend a lot of time at the computer or in front of the TV screen. True, there is no scientific confirmation of this fact yet.

Very often people are confused about what effect green tea has - invigorating or calming. It depends on the infusion time. If the tea is brewed for more than 2-4 minutes, it turns out to be invigorating, if it takes 5, it becomes calming, and after 6, it is simply a pleasant and healthy drink.

There are studies that confirm that green tea can activate the whole body, treat endocrine diseases and normalize digestion, improve skin and hair. Let's try to figure out if this is so.

Green tea for skin and hair

Due to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, green tea is widely used in cosmetology. Of course, when cooking cosmetics It is not the drink that is used, but the leaves of the plant. But at home you can also use regular tea leaves. Even simply drinking the drink can significantly improve the condition of your skin, but if you freeze it and wipe your face with a piece of ice in the morning, this will help achieve amazing results. At oily skin You can add a little lemon juice to this ice.

If your face suffers from dryness, then you should not overcool it; a mask made from warm tea leaves will do. After it, the skin should be thickly lubricated. thick cream. This mask helps get rid of spider veins and rejuvenate the skin.

Drinking green tea in a bathhouse is very beneficial for the skin.. It helps expand skin pores and increase sweating. Thus, the skin is deeply cleansed and acquires a fresh, healthy color. In addition, after this procedure, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened and small pimples disappear.

For digestive health

Green tea is an excellent remedy detoxification of the body, so it is recommended for food poisoning. The strongly brewed drink has antibacterial properties, so it helps destroy pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. It can also improve the condition of a patient with dysbiosis.

Those who have digestive problems should definitely drink green tea. Tannin helps normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it enhances the motility of the digestive tract and intestinal tone. If you drink tea after every meal, you will soon notice improvements in your well-being.

Green tea should not be consumed at the same time as alcohol. This can lead to kidney problems, swelling and pain in the bladder.

You should avoid this drink during exacerbations. stomach diseases– for example, with gastritis and ulcers. But even if at the moment the illness does not cause discomfort, it is better to drink weakly brewed tea.

For the cardiovascular system

We have already said that green tea makes the walls of blood vessels more elastic. This allows you to prevent their ruptures and internal hemorrhages. In addition, the polyphenols contained in the drink prevent the formation of blood clots. Its ability to lower cholesterol has long been known. This helps prevent atherosclerosis and some heart and vascular diseases.

Green tea helps prevent heart attack. This was stated by Dutch scientists who noticed that people who drink 4 glasses daily of this drink and eating one apple or one head onions, suffered from this disease half as often as others. Such conclusions were made after a detailed analysis of the eating habits of a fairly large group of elderly people.

The caffeine contained in the drink can be addictive, so you should not overuse tea.

It is also worth remembering the benefits of green tea in the initial stages of hypertension. Doctors from Japan claim that long-term use of this drink can lower blood pressure by 10-12 units.

Green tea for weight loss

Due to its ability to normalize digestion and activate the gastrointestinal tract, this drink can be used as a means of promoting weight loss. Of course, this does not mean that you can continue to overeat, and tea will solve all your problems. But if you start eating right and drinking at least three cups a day, the results won’t take long to arrive.

In order for the effect to be maximum, it is necessary to give up too sweet, salty and fatty foods, and also increase physical activity. In this case, tea can be drunk both hot and cold. You can add ice cubes and lemon to the cooled tea, as well as decoctions of herbs such as lemon balm, mint, oregano, and chamomile. They will make tea not only more tasty and aromatic, but will also have a beneficial effect on digestion.

Benefits for the liver

Green tea is very useful for people suffering from liver disorders and bile flow disorders. It is especially effective for cholelithiasis. If you consume several cups of it a day, you can quietly get rid of sand, and even small stones can come out without serious consequences. This drink is also useful for those who suffer from bile stagnation.

There are also studies that confirm that systematic consumption of green tea helps protect the liver from harmful effects alcohol and tobacco. This information cannot be considered completely reliable, but a couple of cups of tea will definitely not hurt people who smoke and like to drink.

You can add milk to green tea - this will give it new taste and aroma and will make it more nutritious.

Benefits of tea for teeth

Today it is definitely established that green tea helps to improve the health of teeth and gums. The substance responsible for this is catechin, which can even reduce the symptoms of periodontitis and other diseases. Regular consumption of this drink allows you to get rid of bleeding gums and generally make them stronger. And the antibacterial properties of tea help prevent the development of caries. It should be noted that improvement in oral health was recorded even in smoking patients.

Separately, we need to consider the property of green tea to whiten teeth. This is due to the high fluoride content in it. Of course, your teeth will not become perfectly white immediately after drinking the drink, but if you drink it regularly and use it to rinse your mouth, you will definitely get results.

In addition, green tea helps get rid of unpleasant odor from the mouth, and this often brings a lot of problems to patients and becomes the reason for visiting the dentist.

How it is grown and what properties it has. But it was not by chance that this tea gained such popularity. The rich composition of tea leaves and the peculiarities of its production make it a very valuable product.

What's in tea

Looking at a green tea leaf, it’s hard to believe that it contains more than 2,000 chemical components. Most are beneficial to human health. The components of tea can affect the condition of the body. It is not without reason that in China, the birthplace of this drink, for several centuries it was used only as a remedy. It entered the daily diet much later. Let's look at the chemicals of green “under a microscope” to understand what elements make the drink so healthy.

Green tea does not undergo a fermentation process, so all the healing substances that could be destroyed by oxidation remain in the tea. The main chemical elements found in tea leaves include:

• catechins,
• theanine;
• amino acids,
• vitamins,
• caffeine,
• essential oils,
• minerals.

Sweetness and taste come from amino acids and theanine, bitterness from caffeine, and astringency from catechins. By the taste of tea, you can determine which substances are more abundant in a particular variety.

Catechins - what are they?

This group of substances includes strong polyphenols and flavonoids. They are powerful antioxidants that are characteristic of weakly fermented teas. Research conducted by scientists has shown that tea owes its protective properties to catechins. There are four components of tea catechin: EGCG, EC, EGC, ECg. Epigallocatechin gallate is considered the strongest. It is almost a hundred times more powerful than vitamins E, C and β-carotene.

One cup of green tea is much healthier than broccoli, carrots, spinach, apples, because it contains up to 40 mg of polyphenols. Catechins easily stick to proteins, preventing viruses from destroying cells. They are also able to counteract toxins.

Scientists from the American National Institute Cancer researchers have proven that catechins are able to cleanse the body of oxidants before they harm cells and lead to tumors. The high antioxidant activity of catechins contained in green tea is highly valued. Nutritionists around the world use green tea in their programs. This is the best natural fat burner.

Catechins help with various diseases:

• destroy free radicals;
• eliminate inflammation of the gums and oral cavity;
• slow down aging;
• improve intestinal health;
• reduce cholesterol levels;
• help with radioactive exposure.

Beneficial properties of theanine

Theanine is an amino acid; in tea it counteracts caffeine and creates a calming effect. In total, green tea contains more than 20 types of amino acids, 60% of which consist of theanine. Japanese scientists have proven that theanine is an opponent of caffeine; it absorbs its excess, preventing it from penetrating into the blood. Theanine does not cause drowsiness, although it has a calming effect.

This substance is considered a natural antidepressant; L-theanine strengthens immune system, eliminates depression, reduces anxiety, relieves insomnia, restores nerve cells, helps the kidneys remove water.

Effect of caffeine on the body

Caffeine affects the nervous system, it increases endurance, stimulates brain function. A cup of green tea contains up to 30 mg of caffeine. For comparison, the same cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine. Thanks to caffeine, green tea affects hangovers by removing alcohol from the body. Tea made from young leaves contains more caffeine than older leaves, but also more theanine, which counteracts the effects of caffeine. Caffeine has diuretic properties, drives away sleep, eliminates headache, has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, accelerates blood circulation.

Action of minerals

Minerals are necessary for normal development, they activate enzyme systems, interact with vitamins and hormones. Green tea contains up to 7% minerals, including phosphorus, copper, manganese, calcium, potassium, and zinc. Copper and zinc are elements for the formation of antioxidants. Minerals control water balance, give strength to the skeleton, and maintain balance in the body.

The effect of vitamins on the body

Green tea contains many vitamins of different groups. Each of them makes their contribution to the common cause of improving the health of the human body and maintaining it in excellent shape. Vitamin P is necessary to protect cells and strengthen blood vessels. It helps reduce blood pressure and normalize thyroid function.

Vitamin A or carotene improves vision, strengthens the immune system, maintains hair condition, and helps prevent aging. Scientists have discovered several types of carotene in tea leaves, of which β-carotene predominates.

Vitamin B1 or thiamine quickly relieves fatigue, improves mood, and improves brain function. Essential for improving metabolism. Since the supply of vitamin in the body must be constantly replenished, you need to drink several cups of green tea a day.

Vitamin B2 or riboflavin improves skin condition and improves vision.

Vitamin B3 or niacin lowers cholesterol, helps control sugar levels, and improves digestion. Nicotinic acid is necessary in the formation of red blood cells.

Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It influences the synthesis of hormones and prevents colds.

Vitamin E or tocopherol helps in the fight against infertility, is important for the heart and skin. It is also called the fertility vitamin. Acts as an antioxidant.

Vitamin F or fluoride helps relieve swelling, strengthens teeth, and heals wounds. In green tea its content exceeds 40-1900 ppm. There is less of it in young buds than in mature leaves.

Vitamin K strengthens the skeletal system, increases life expectancy, removes toxins from the liver, and has an antibacterial effect. Green tea leaves contain a high concentration of vitamin, but when brewing, most of it evaporates.

Vitamin U normalizes acidity, prevents fatty liver, and controls cholesterol levels. In tea high quality this vitamin creates a special aroma reminiscent of dried seaweed.

Action of pectin

Pectin is a natural dietary fiber that is necessary to stabilize metabolism. Its amount in tea is low, but it gives the drink richness, improves intestinal motility, and protects the body from harmful substances.

Beneficial properties of amino acids

Essential amino acids are involved in organic processes in the body. IN chemical composition tea includes: threonine, valine, phenylalanine, leucine and other amino acids. They improve metabolism, cope with fatigue, and maintain nitrogen balance.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) activates brain function, increases respiratory ability, lowers blood pressure, regulates appetite, and improves cerebral circulation. Contained in tea leaves processed immediately after picking. High quality elite green tea is rich in this acid.

Green tea has many beneficial and amazing benefits. However, like any medicine, green tea has its contraindications. As they say, in every barrel of honey there is a fly in the ointment.

Who is green tea contraindicated for?

• First of all, older people should not drink green tea, as green tea has a negative effect on joints. Tea can trigger gout.
• Contraindications are ulcers, erosions and gastritis.
• It is not recommended to drink if you have kidney disease, especially if there are stones there.
• Also, people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, arrhythmia and high pressure, since green tea has an stimulating effect due to its caffeine content.
• Contraindicated at high temperatures. Also, pregnant women suffering from toxicosis should not drink tea. Nursing mothers should use this drink with caution, as the caffeine contained in tea can deprive the baby of sound, regular sleep.
• Green tea drunk on an empty stomach can upset digestion.
• Shouldn't be too hot because high temperature burns internal organs.
• Drinking before meals reduces protein absorption.

And don't brew it too much strong tea, since it can be addictive, which will be accompanied by an upset nervous system. IN large quantities upsets the nervous system, can cause insomnia, tremors in the limbs.

Green tea is rich in vitamins, microelements and minerals. The high content of vitamins P and C helps improve immunity, vitamin A has a beneficial effect on vision, B vitamins regulate carbohydrate balance, help fight pathogenic bacteria, and have an antioxidant effect on the body. Calcium, fluorine, iron, potassium, iodine, zinc and other substances make green tea a real treasure trove of medicinal properties.

What are the benefits of green tea

Strong antioxidant activity of green tea and high content the polyphenols in it help protect humans from genetic mutations and cancer diseases.

A green tea drink is doubly valuable for women - it helps them maintain youth and beauty. Lotions, masks, compresses with green tea significantly rejuvenate the skin and smooth out wrinkles. 3-4 cups of green tea a day help to gradually lose weight by removing excess fluid and toxins, speeding up metabolism and reducing appetite.

Green tea should be consumed with caution if you have joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout, with kidney diseases, duodenal ulcers, glaucoma, arrhythmia, exacerbation of gastritis.

How to brew green tea correctly

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Ordinary tea drinking can be significantly diversified if you enrich the drink with simple and available ingredients. This fascinating process of breeding your own tea variety will enrich taste palette gastronomic preferences.

There are a lot of components that can add to a regular tea drink unique taste. And the additives are far from limited to the usual bergamot and. In addition, the correct component composition regular tea will help you cope with some ailments.

Citrus fruit peels can be a universal component for tea. To do this you need to cut tangerine peels into 1 cm cubes and dry in the oven. You can store tangerine peels in this form in a dry and dark place. For one cup of tea, 3-4 pieces of tangerine are enough. This is good for winter tea drinking.

Schisandra leaves also have a tonic effect. This plant can be found in. To prepare tea with lemongrass, just add a few leaves of this herb to a cup and brew with boiling water. Next, cover the dishes with a saucer or a special lid and leave for a few minutes. Schisandra increases the release of adrenaline in the body and gives strength.

Unusual and very useful component for tea – dried nettle leaves. This plant has a record vitamin composition and stimulates the release of hemoglobin in the body. Besides, regular use tea helps normalize blood sugar levels.

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