The Benefits of Daily Green Tea Consumption

Green tea has been said to have many health benefits for centuries.  In recent years, it has been touted as a super-food.  Are the claims true though?  It seems that they are and that science has some idea of why green tea benefits health.  Each cup of green tea contains a large amount of polyphenols.  Polyphenols are antioxidants that give benefits to overall health.

Why is green tea better than black tea?

Black tea also contains the same polyphenols that are present in green tea.  However, green tea is made from leaves that have not been fermented.  The fermentation process used to make black tea loses some of their polyphenols during processing.  Because of this, green tea is considered a much better tea to consume for the antioxidant benefits.

Acai has antioxidants, too.  Are they better than green tea?

There have been many claims in recent years about the benefits of acai as an antioxidant.  However, it has been proven in several studies that acai contains no more antioxidant power than berries, such as blueberries.  Acai is, then, largely overpriced with claims of benefits that simply aren't as good as the claims say they are.  Green tea, however, has been shown to have more antioxidant power than most berries, including blueberries.  Because acai only has the same benefits as blueberries, raspberries, and most other berries, it is clear that green tea provides more benefits as an antioxidant than acai.

How much green tea should a person drink for the benefits?

It is generally recommended that a person should consume approximately four to six cups of green tea each day to reap maximum benefits.  Antioxidants should also be consumed daily for the most benefits.  The amount of tea to drink should be customized for each person as it does contain caffeine.  Four cups may be too much for one person to drink without affecting sleep.  Conversely, another person may be able to drink more than that without any issue at all.

What's the best way to get the proper antioxidant amounts?

An antioxidant is made up of a number of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins C and E.  Green tea is certainly a tasty beverage for many, but not everyone likes it.  Other ways to get a good amount of antioxidants each day would be to include berries and other foods high in antioxidants.  Some of the food choices can include acai if you enjoy them.  Acai can certainly be a good addition to a well-thought out meal plan, but it shouldn't replace green tea altogether.

Drink green tea with a breakfast of yogurt mixed with berries (blueberries, raspberries or even acai).  Have another cup at lunch with a serving of protein, salad, and maybe throw some walnuts in (also a good antioxidant).  Have another cup in the afternoon before or after dinner.  If drinking green tea every day is not preferable, then it can be taken every second day or simply in smaller amounts on any given day.

Each antioxidant, green tea included, helps prevent cancer, can aid in cancer remission, provides the body with help in reducing the amount of harmful free radicals floating around the blood stream, and can help the body maintain overall health.  The benefits of green tea far outweigh any possible side-effects, which are usually constrained to problems with caffeine intake or an overt allergy.  As it is a powerful antioxidant, green tea can be taken in smaller amounts than others would have to be.  This can help immensely when dealing with nausea symptoms during pregnancy or when dealing with cancer.  As an antioxidant, green tea is definitely one of the foods that provide the most benefits.