Green Tea Benefits

We've probably all heard that drinking green tea has health benefits. Many coffee shops carry different variations of green tea drinks. But what exactly are those benefits?

Green tea is loaded with anti-oxidants including one known as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) which has been proven to prevent the growth of cancer cells. Drinking green tea can also lower your bad cholesterol (LDL). It can reduce the risk of heart disease and make the immune system stronger.

Green tea is attributed to being able to lose weight faster by accelerating the burning of calories, reducing appetite and stimulating fat reduction. Of course, a healthy diet and exercise are also necessary steps in the weight loss equation.

Green tea is readily available in supermarkets in a variety of flavors. But you can brew your own tea exactly the way you like it, strong or weak, sweet or not, flavored or not. And it can be served hot or cold. Doesn't your mouth water just thinking about it? Following is a recipe on how to make delicious, healthy green tea.

To make 1 cup of green tea, place 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves into a tea strainer and set it on top of a cup. Heat water in a pot to 80 to 85C. Don't let the water boil because it will ruin the flavor of the green tea. Pour the hot water into the strainer. Let the leaves soak for 2-3 minutes. Soaking for longer may make the tea taste slightly bitter. Remove the strainer and your green tea is ready to drink!

You can also flavor your homemade green tea by adding fruit juice to it. Be creative by adding juices such as acai berry, pomegranate, pineapple, blueberry, cranberry, etc. You can add juice to green tea that is served hot or cold. Yum!

Sources:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea
http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa011400a.htm