Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea is the most popular beverage in the world due to its positive effects on a variety of health problems. WebMD cites almost a decade of research on green tea's benefits.

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants called catechins, which can help prevent free-radical damage to our DNA. Some of its many benefits may include:

• Lowering cholesterol

• Lowering the risk of heart disease

• Improving blood flow

• Providing relaxation

Sourced from an Asian tea plant known as Camellia Sinensis, green tea is processed less than other types of tea, which results in less oxidation and therefore better retention of nutritional value. Researchers in Japan found a correlation between green tea drinking and a lower rate of "functional disability," classified as problems with daily activities such as bathing, housework, shopping, and other routine tasks, for the elderly. What’s good for the heart is also good for the brain; your brain needs healthy blood vessels, too. The study "Green Tea Consumption and the Risk of Incident Functional Disability in Elderly Japanese" was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Sipping green tea helps you slow down and relax because it contains a natural chemical called theanine that is known to provide a calming effect.

Here’s how to make your next cup:

• Steep green tea for shorter amounts of time at a temperature just below boiling to avoid a bitter brew.

• Add lemon. Vitamin C makes the catechins (those healthy antioxidants) easier to absorb.

• Or maybe add a sprig of fresh mint if available. It is also a potent source of antioxidants.

Once you've finished your cup, dry the leaves by squeezing out water and spreading them out on a paper towel. They'll then do double duty as a deodorizer in your house (think carpet freshener or refrigerator odor absorber), or as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer in your garden!