Sip Green Tea for Documented and Robust Wellness Advantages—and Flavor!
Most adults have heard about the health benefits of green tea. Researchers routinely study the plant, and over the years have discovered myriad wellness attributes. And many of the large studies yield flurries of news coverage.
One key to green tea’s health advantages revolves around oxidation. All styles of traditional tea, Camellia sinensis, offer wellness boosts. But each style varies, in part, based on the degree to which the tea leaves underwent oxidation. Black tea experiences the most oxidation; chemical reactions between the leaves’ botanical compounds and oxygen darken the leaves and alter the compounds. The color transformation is similar to what happens to bananas; oxygen turns those peels brown.
Green tea sees the least amount of oxidation. Immediately after harvesting, tea artisans arrest oxidation through roasting or steaming.
Oxidation provides its own range of wellness enhancements, as discussed in an earlier blog. But so does a lack of oxidation, as is the case with green tea. Oxidation doesn’t alter green tea, because it doesn’t take place. This preserves some of green tea’s botanicals that otherwise change due to their interactions with oxygen.
Green tea’s relatively pure state also informs its glorious flavors. Green teas are often grassy, herbal and floral. They can be bold, but at the same time subtle. Black tea, on the other hand, often yields a robust, hearty brew. And they too are delicious. Oxidation produces its own suite of flavor excellence, as found in styles like oolong and black.
Scientists exploring the health virtues of green tea have published many studies, looking at a diversity of potential health benefits.
Heart health
Among the many studies addressing heart health, an especially large one tracked 40,000 adults over 11 years. The findings revealed that those who consumed green tea every day experienced a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The study’s emphasis revolved around links between polyphenols in green tea, many of which act as powerful antioxidants, and cardiovascular stoutness.
Blood sugar
Research shows that green tea contributes toward blood sugar modulation. One study found that it helped to lower fasting glucose and Hb A1c concentrations, two indicators that are especially meaningful for diabetics. More analysis of the same study revealed profound mitigation in fasting insulin concentrations, another measure that points toward green tea’s helpfulness in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
Stroke prevention
Does drinking green tea reduce risks for stroke? One large Japanese study of 82,000 people over the course of 13 years concluded in the affirmative. The study concluded that higher consumption of green tea—at least four cups a day, ideally—was associated with lower risks for stroke.
Skin benefits
Studies evaluating links between green tea and skin vigor show promise. Among other things, research points toward green tea as a potential partner in combating acne, ameliorating the effects that aging has on skin health, eliminating puffy eyes and addressing skin cancer issues.
Weight loss
People call the plant botanical berberine as “nature’s Ozempic.” But green tea, too, can help manage healthy weight. One study concluded that “drinking four cups of green tea led to a significant reduction in weight and systolic blood pressure.”
Ready to begin exploring green tea for wellness? Grand! We have some suggestions. And we also suggest taking a look at our Wellness Tea Box, a package of six curated teas—including the Chrysanthemum Green that we discuss below—designed to boost wellness.
Green Tea for Wellness: Chrysanthemum Green
The green tea in this blend is sencha, the most widely sipped tea in Japan. Like most Japanese green teas, tea artisans use steam, rather than roasting (the normal Chinese method) for arresting oxidation. The process informs Japanese green tea’s unique flavor. We already know that green tea boosts health and wellness, and that includes this beautiful sencha. But when combined with chrysanthemum, the benefits rise eve more. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) routinely prescribe chrysanthemum for a welter of conditions, including lung health and internal inflammation. This pretty tea also includes peppermint, which aids with digestion, and rose petal, which contributes toward peace of mind. In addition to purchasing this tea individually, it is included in our new Wellness Tea Box.
Green Tea for Wellness: An Ji White
One health benefit of green tea we have not discussed is its calming effects. This comes from the amino acid theanine, which dwells within green tea leaves. The amino acid is especially concentrated in An Ji White, a unique Chinese green tea that farmers harvest in early spring, when the leaves are tender and silvery-white; hence the name. This relatively new kind of tea (developed in 1979) comes from Mt. Tian Mu in ZheJiang, China. Those young leaves contribute toward the high levels of theanine in An Ji White, and they also render the tea lightly sweet with no bitterness.
Green Tea for Wellness: Bi Tan Piao Xue Jasmine
No tour of healthy green tea should be without Bi Tan Piao Xue Jasmine, the most exquisite jasmine green tea on the market. In Chinese, Bi Tan Piao Xue means “snow flakes falling upon a jade pond,” a lovely and arresting image that describes both the appearance of the tiny, silver-lined tea buds mixed with tender jasmine flowers, as well as the transportive experience of sipping this superb tea. The foundation of the blend, the green tea, comes from Mountain Meng, one of China’s revered and treasured tea mountains. Sipping Bi Tan Piao Xue Jasmine ripens a soothing and sweet taste experience. Unforgettable and compelling. You’ll routinely desire a cup (or three) of this healthy green tea.
