Green tea, native to China and India, has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally, but has only recently gained popularity in the US.
Tea is considered the most consumed beverage in the world behind water, however 78% of the tea consumed worldwide is black and only about 20% is green.
Unsweetened brewed green tea is a zero calorie beverage. The caffeine contained in a cup of tea can vary according to length of infusing time and the amount of tea infused.
In general, green tea contains a relatively small amount of caffeine (approximately 20-45 milligrams per 8 oz cup), compared with black tea which contains about 50 milligrams and coffee with 95 milligrams per cup.
Possible health benefits
Cardiovascular Health
The anti-oxidants known as flavonoid in tea are thought to contribute to a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as other cardiovascular problems. These may work by reducing inflammatory processes that contribute to circulatory problem
Type 2 Diabetes
Studies concerning the relationship between green tea and diabetes have been inconsistent. Some have shown a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes for green tea drinkers than for those who consumed no tea, while other studies have found no association between tea consumption and diabetes at all.
Weight Loss
Green tea may promote a small, non-significant weight loss in overweight and obese adults; however, since the weight lost in the studies were so minimal; it is unlikely that green tea is clinically important for weight loss.
Oral Health
Some research indicates that there are compounds in tea that inhibit bacteria growth in your mouth, cutting down on plaque and bad breath.
Bone Health
A study released in 2007 showed that elderly women who drank tea had higher bone density in their hips than non-tea drinkers. Although there's no good evidence yet on how this happens, researchers suggest it may be due to photochemical in the tea that have estrogen-like properties.
Better Immune Function
According to the Nutrition Research Journal, there's a compound in tea known as L-thiamine, which is thought to improve the body's immune response to infections like the common cold. Further, there is evidence that tea consumption inhibits some harmful bacteria, improving intestinal health.
