What makes green tea green

Green tea extract comes in oral capsules. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct dose. Green tea as loose, dried leaves or in tea bags should be steeped in hot water for a short time. This is done to preserve important chemicals in the leaf. Green tea can cause side effects due to caffeine.

These can include anxiety, tremors, irritability, and sleeping problems. Side effects are less common with green tea than with other drinks that have caffeine. This is because the leaves are steeped for a shorter time.

The fluoride content of green tea may help prevent tooth decay. But the tea also contains tannic acid. This can stain teeth. Green tea extracts may cause liver problems. Symptoms can include yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, nausea, and stomach pain.

If you have these symptoms, stop using green tea and see your healthcare provider right away. The negative effects of green tea extract on the liver may depend on how much green tea extract you consume each day.

Green tea may change the effects of medicines such as nadolol, a beta-blocker used for high blood pressure and heart problems. It may keep nadolol from lowering your blood pressure as much as it should. Cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells. Research has shown that oxidative damage can lead to chronic inflammation, which can lead to chronic diseases, including cancers.

Antioxidants can help protect against oxidative damage Research has linked green tea compounds with a reduced risk of cancer, including the following studies:.

Many observational studies indicate that green tea drinkers are less likely to develop several types of cancer, but more high quality research is needed to confirm these effects 24 , To get the most health benefits, avoid adding milk to your tea.

Some studies suggest it can reduce the antioxidant value in some teas Green tea has powerful antioxidants that may protect against cancer. Multiple studies show that green tea drinkers have a lower risk of various types of cancer. Not only can green tea improve brain function in the short term, it may also protect your brain as you age. Several studies show that the catechin compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on neurons in test tubes and animal models, possibly lowering the risk of dementia 28 , 29 , The bioactive compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on the brain.

They may reduce the risk of dementia, a common neurodegenerative disorder in older adults. Test-tube studies suggest that catechins can suppress the growth of bacteria, potentially lowering the risk of infections 31 , 32 , 33 , Streptococcus mutans is a common bacterium in the mouth.

It causes plaque formation and is a leading contributor to cavities and tooth decay. Studies indicate that the catechins in green tea can inhibit the growth of oral bacteria in the lab, but no evidence shows that drinking green tea has similar effects 35 , 36 , 37 , The catechins in green tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the risk of bad breath.

The rates of type 2 diabetes are increasing in recent decades. The condition now affects about 1 in 10 Americans Type 2 diabetes involves having elevated blood sugar levels, which may be caused by insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin. Studies show that green tea may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels Some controlled studies show that green tea may cause mild reductions in blood sugar levels.

It may also lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading causes of death worldwide Studies show that green tea may improve some of the main risk factors for these diseases, which includes improving total cholesterol and LDL bad cholesterol levels Green tea also increases the antioxidant capacity of the blood, which protects the LDL particles from oxidation, which is one part of the pathway toward heart disease 47 , Studies show that people who drink green tea have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Given that green tea can boost the metabolic rate in the short term, it makes sense that it could help you lose weight. Several studies show that green tea may help reduce body fat , especially in the abdominal area 52 , One of these studies was a week randomized controlled study involving people with obesity. In this study, those in the green tea group had significant decreases in body fat percentage, body weight, waist circumference, and belly fat, compared with those in the control group Some studies show that green tea may lead to increased weight loss.

It may be particularly effective at reducing the dangerous abdominal fat. Given that some compounds in green tea may help protect against cancer and heart disease, it makes sense that it could help you live longer. In one study, researchers studied 40, Japanese adults over 11 years.

With the invention of the clipper ships, teas could be transported in less than half the time, allowing them to arrive in a more preserved and unprocessed state. This new method of transport revolutionized the way tea, and green tea, in particular, were perceived and experienced forever.

Today, green tea can be found everywhere in the mainstream marketplace in forms from loose leaf to powdered known as matcha , and in other consumables, such as baked goods and breath fresheners. Because green tea is grown and harvested in many different regions of China and Japan, it would easily fill up a book trying to explain each type and variant. Listed below are some of the more popular variants of green tea, most of which you can find right here at Art of Tea.

Longjing or Dragonwell is pan-fried and has flat sword-shaped leaves. It has a vibrant jade green hue and a fresh, clean and mellow flavor and aroma. Gunpowder gets its distinctive name because of the process in which it is made. The leaves are hand-shaped into small spheres that resemble gunpowder and with its slightly brisk and smoky flavor, it really is quite a fitting name. As the primary ingredient in Moroccan Mint tea, gunpowder helps to round out the flavor by balancing out the sharpness of the mint.

The resulting cup has a light and slightly sweet taste. Gyokuro, or Jade Dew tea, is the most precious and highly sought after green tea. Select Tencha leaves are shade-grown for up to 20 days then harvested and promptly steamed to maintain elevated levels of chlorophyll. The resulting cup steeps a bright green color with a sweet, grassy finish. Sencha is the most common green tea from Japan and is also the base for many of our green tea fusions.

Unlike Gyokuro, Sencha leaves are directly exposed to sunlight. Sencha gets its name from the decoction method in which it is processed and delivers a slightly astringent, vegetal cup with bright grassy after notes. Kukicha, or twig tea, is comprised of twigs, stems, and stalks.

Usually, this tea consists of the remnants of the gyokuro and sencha harvest. This tea is slightly roasted and is a bit more oxidized than most green teas, giving the tea a nutty taste with a round, thick flavor.