3 reasons to drink green daily, according to top doc |
Green tea is not necessarily the best when it comes to its flavour or its rather mild personality. However, this unassuming beverage, consumed worldwide, is packed with antioxidants that improve your health. In fact, Dr William Li, a Harvard-trained doctor, researcher, and author of Eat To Beat Your Diet, is urging people to make green tea a part of their daily diet. In a blog, the doctor talks about the three compelling reasons why green tea should be consumed every day. What are they? Let’s take a look.
Lowers cancer risk
Yes, that’s right. The potent antioxidants called catechins may help protect you from cancer. “There are remarkable epidemiological studies supporting green tea,” the doctor said. A 2007 study published by the American Association for Cancer Research found that green tea can slash the risk of colon cancer. “The Shanghai Women’s Health Study followed 69,000 women and found that those who drank tea at least three times per week had a 37% reduction in the risk for colon cancer, compared to women who didn’t drink green tea,” the doctor explained. Dr Li added that the way you steep the tea could also make a huge difference. “The more you steep, the more natural cancer-fighting substances from the tea leaves are released into your cup! Dunking a tea bag up and down for a few minutes is better than letting the bag just sit on the bottom of the cup,” he said.
Protects your DNA
Green tea has antioxidants that protect your DNA from oxidative damage. “Your DNA is the blueprint for your health. Green tea contains a bioactive called EGCG that makes a natural antioxidant enzyme called GSTP1 that protects your DNA from oxidative stress,” the doctor said. He added, “By the way, EGCG can also activate tumour-suppressor genes that stop cancer cells from growing.”
Reduces stress
Another potential benefit of drinking green tea every day is that it can reduce stress. A 2006 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that green tea is linked to lower psychological stress. The participants of the study were 2,774 people in Japan living with high levels of psychological stress. “It was found that those who drank five or more cups of green tea daily exhibited fewer stress symptoms,” Dr Li added. Another 2004 study by Loma Linda University researchers, published in JAMA, showed that regular green tea consumption lowered blood pressure. “Green tea also helps reduce blood pressure, which can be raised when you are stressed out,” Dr Li said. Referring to the study, he added that the participants “who drank half a cup per day of green or oolong tea were 46% less likely to develop high blood pressure than non-tea drinkers. The risk reduction increased to 65% for those who drank two and a half cups of tea or more per day.” Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes can make a huge impact. Case in point: regular consumption of green tea. “Although we can’t always change the things in our lives that cause us stress, we can drink tea to help counter the effects on our mental and physical health,” the doctor added.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
