It’s Not Easy Being Green

Kermit always sings about how it’s not easy being green. I think I finally understand why! While it’s easy for us to drink green tea whenever we’d like, it’s hard for green tea to do its numerous tasks in our bodies. Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. I used to think there was nothing special about it until I started to do some research. So sit down, grab a mug, pet the pup (who is actually almost 11 haha!), and let’s have a look!

1. Weight Loss

Sadly, chugging green tea isn’t going to magically cut the fat you want off of your body off in an instant. But every time you reach for a sugary drink, think about reaching for water or green tea instead. This will save you from consuming empty calories and carbs (sugars) as long as you don’t try to sweeten the tea with honey or sugars. If you can, add lemons or some type of Vitamin C instead to help you absorb catechins, the healthy components in green tea.

Green tea also can help increase your metabolic rate, allowing you to possibly burn fat quicker. While half the studies done show that green tea does not have an effect, the other half does. So, this may vary from person to person. However, it definitely doesn’t hurt to give it a try!

2. Mental Health

I don’t know about you but my college was a school that ranked in the top three for stress levels. I don’t feel normal unless I’m stressed about something, which is quite unsettling now that I’m finally out of that environment. Good news is that green tea contains a chemical called theanine which can soothe and calm you down after a long day of work or errands, making it quite nice to sip a little bit green tea as you’re unwinding before bed!

3. Cardivascular & Brain Health

Did you know green tea can lower cholestrol and stabilize your blood sugar levels, which is great for anyone with diabetes/for preventing diabetes? Did you also know that studies have show that green tea can help prevent heart failure and high blood pressure? Or that it can help break down the plaque that causes Alzheimer’s Disease? Well, now you know! A good and healthy heart can lead to a good and healthy brain. Green tea can improve your blood flow which in return improves your brain functions and your memory. By consuming more green tea, you can rest assured that one day you will be the one to sit in a rocking chair and tell stories of “back in the day” with no hesitation.

4. The Antioxidants & Your Immune System

There are polyphenols or natural plant compounds found in tea such as catechins and flavonoids which protect you from free radicas that can cause aging or disease. There is also something in green tea called “epigallocatechin gallate” or EGCG which can treat some diseases as well. The chemicals can inhibit some bacterias‘ growth as well as the spread of select viruses, especially any infections that are dental related. Some may say it can go as far as lowering your risks for cancer, but I’m not going to jump the gun just yet.

5. The Brain Power

Obviously, green tea contains caffeine in it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t contain as much coffee as my beloved coffee, but that may be a good thing for those who find that coffee makes them jittery. We all know that caffeine pretty much can wake a person up, increasing the firing of neurons and and levels of neurotransmitters, making your cognitive functions and mood increase in productivity. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that helps the neurotransmitter that decreases anxiety and increase dopamine. Overall, green tea gives you a more mild caffeine buzz which can provide more stable energy compared to coffee.

Now if that isn’t enough of a reason for you to implement more green tea into your diet, maybe the benefits of matcha green tea will!

Matcha Green Tea

Matcha is a very, very high concentration of green tea grinded into powder form. It is stored away from light and oxygen to preserve its benefits. It does everything that green tea does but even more intensely and at greater levels. The one extra task it can do is break down chemical toxins and heavy metals in your body due to the high concentration of chlorophyll. This detoxifies your system, cleansing it from any impurities. Who doesn’t like feeling fresh, light, and clean? Plus, matcha tastes amazing in the form of a warm latte or even iced on a hot summer day.

The next time you get the chance to drink some green tea, take the opportunity to give your body an all natural gift! I aways have a stock of Tazo green tea bags or loose tea leaves in my cabinets. After incorporating a cup a day into my daily diet, I definitely noticed a chance in my health, mood, and digestive & immune systems. Give it a sip, mes chéries, and let me know how you feel!

Au revoir, et merci beaucoup!