Are you searching for your superpower? Here are 6 reasons why drink more organic green tea!

Green tea offers incredible health benefits. One reason green tea provides so many health advantages is due to how it is harvested; there is minimal drying and processing involved, thus helping preserve polyphenols and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) compounds naturally present in Camellia sinesis leaves.

These compounds have been shown to help lower cancer risks, lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, increase metabolism, and provide powerful antioxidants against free radicals.

Herbal Green Tea Processing - the foundation of superpower

Green teas, while made from the same plant as black teas, use leaves that have not been exposed to oxygen oxidization for fermentation. Harvesting care must be taken so as to preserve whole and unbroken leaves preventing their exposure to oxygen and thus further oxidization. 

Leaves should be left to wilt for several hours before being steamed for 30 to 120 seconds (the longer they're steamed, the deeper their color and richer and smoother their flavor will become). This brief steaming process stops oxidation while maintaining their vibrant green hue and refreshing taste. Cooler air is introduced quickly in order to prevent unintended oxidization and preserve all of the qualities and health benefits associated with good green tea, thus "locking in" its qualities and health benefits. 

Due to this minimal yet gentle processing method, green tea boasts superior antioxidant and polyphenol levels compared with its counterparts as more health benefiting qualities of its leaves are preserved.

Green Tea Has Outstanding Health Benefits and Superpowers

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), antioxidants, and the amino acid L-theanine found naturally in best green tea to drink offer many health advantages, according to an extensive study published by the National Library of Medicine.

1) Promoting healthy skin - Green tea rich in EGCG has been shown to block UV absorption by the skin, leading to less UV exposure over time and leading to reduced damage from free radicals that break down collagen and result in fine lines and decreased firmness. Furthermore, its powerful antioxidant polyphenols protect it further against further free radical attacks that damage its structure by free radicals resulting in fine lines or firmness loss.

2) Reducing Blood Cholesterol- Green tea contains polyphenols and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) compounds which have been shown to aid in the reduction of both cholesterol levels and blood pressure. In particular, polyphenols appear to hinder absorption of lipids from the intestinal wall while simultaneously aiding with conversion into bile acids thereby helping with maintaining lower levels.

3) Reduced Blood Pressure- Studies have demonstrated the link between green tea consumption and reduced blood pressure. Flavored green tea consumption helps relax blood vessels, leading to reduced blood pressure.

4) Weight Loss - Did you know that drinking coffee (not just caffeine) can increase cortisol and insulin levels, leading to weight gain? Increased insulin is known to lock onto body fat; Oprah's blog suggests substituting green tea for coffee as one simple strategy that could lead to weight loss of up to 10 pounds in six weeks!

5) Mood Enhancer - Best green tea for weight loss contains antioxidants and EGCG, but L-theanine can also provide a significant mood-boosting effect. L-theanine increases GABA activity which provides anti-anxiety benefits. Furthermore, it increases dopamine production as well as alpha wave generation in the brain (see two detailed articles from National Library of Medicine: 8Trusted Source and 9Trusted Source for more info). When combined with the small amounts of caffeine found in green tea this can enhance feelings of well-being while improving brain functioning overall.

6) Energy Boost - Green tea contains low levels of caffeine and serves as an effective and gentle energy booster. An eight ounce serving contains 28mg, compared with 90mg in black coffee, meaning you can enjoy it throughout the day without experiencing jittery side effects or feeling less productive after drinking green tea vs coffee. Many report increased productivity when they drink it instead.

Drinking green tea - whether Jasmine Petal, Tropical Green, Tamyakucha or even matcha varieties - offers impressive health benefits that can protect the skin, heart, brain and body and unleash your own superpowers!

• Chinmay Mandlekar
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