It is a Well-Known fact around the globe that green tea, especially organic green tea, is possibly one of the healthiest beverages available for consumption on a daily basis. Consuming at least two to three cups of green tea is known to positively affect one’s health, both physically and mentally.
Green tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis shrub, the same shrub which provides black tea, white tea and oolong tea. Organic green tea is produced by minimal oxidation and avoidance of fermentation of the leaves, giving green tea its distinct flavour and enabling it to retain most of its nutrients. While it is commonly known that consuming green tea is beneficial for health, here some of the nutrients of the best organic green tea available.
1. Zero calories:
Organic green tea is best when consumed with plain warm water, without the addition of any form of sweeteners. This method of consumption ensures that you are consuming a calorie-free beverage, thus cutting down on your daily intake of excess calories while keeping your body adequately hydrated.
2. Polyphenol content:
Organic green tea is naturally rich in polyphenols such as flavonoids and catechins. These nutrients are responsible for reduction of the formation of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are attributed towards ageing and in contributing towards a number of diseases. Consuming polyphenol-rich green tea on a daily basis thus protects the body from damage, even at the cellular and molecular levels.
3. Antioxidant power:
Organic green tea is the quintessential antioxidant powerhouse, providing more antioxidants per cup than any other beverage. Organic green tea is particularly rich in the antioxidant compound Epigallocatechin Gallate, better known as EGCG.
4. Vitamins and Minerals:
A rich source of manganese, organic green tea also contains other health boosting minerals such as zinc, selenium and chromium. It also contains good amounts of vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamins B and B5, Vitamin H and Vitamin K.
5. Caffeine content:
Although it does not contain as much caffeine as coffee, organic green tea contains enough amount of caffeine to stimulate the body without the jittery after-effects that coffee offers. Caffeine from green tea can improve one’s mood, vigilance, memory and reaction time.
6. Amino acid storehouse:
Organic green tea is rich in the amino acid L-theanine which is known to cross the blood-brain barrier and increase the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA which counteracts anxiety and its effects. Therefore, green tea is often recommended to lessen one’s anxiety levels and to promote a sense of calmness and reduce stress levels. The theanine content is also attributed to increasing dopamine and alpha wave production in the brain. Recent studies have shown that the caffeine and theanine combination present in green tea have a sort of synergetic effect in the body, causing an improvement in the functioning of the brain.
