Most of us strive to be as healthy as possible and are willing to go to all lengths to try the latest craze and recent fads in the hope of achieving optimum level of fitness – but how does green tea fit into this?

These days more and more healthcare professionals are jumping on the green tea bandwagon praising its alleged health benefits such as protection from cancer and keeping the heart healthy.

Why go healthy?

Your health is the most important thing you can invest in and being healthy is worth every penny. Whether you set yourself a regular health and beauty budget or simply re-stock vital products as and when needed, it’s important that you don’t let your beauty habits break the bank.

Fat loss 

Many body builders and athletes use green tea regularly as supplements to help burn fat, but does it really deliver?

One of the key elements in green tea: epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is said to increase fat burning.  Unfortunately, the amount of EGCG and antioxidants in a single cup of tea may not be enough to have the desired effect, but drinking three cups or more may enhance fat burning when combined with diet and exercise.

Warding off cancer and disease

Antioxidants polyphenols found in green tea have been shown to prevent certain types of cancers, lower LDL bad cholesterol, and circumvent diabetes by breaking down simple sugars – but did you know the antioxidant components can also kill bacteria such as E.Coli to prevent disease as well as oral bacteria that can cause bad breath and lead to cavities?

Green tea has also been shown to improve immunity, prevent Alzheimer’s and hepatitis and fight allergies.

Brand variation

While the number of health benefits available from green tea is abundant, the amount of antioxidants found in popular brands can vary significantly.  Some are loaded with sugar and other additives which could counteract or minimise the health benefits so using loose tea to brew a cup may be the most potent form of obtaining the disease-fighting antioxidants.

Though the results are still being analysed, one thing is for certain: as far as wanting a healthy drink, there are few that reap such strong ties to healthy living as green tea.

Why not swap that cola or sugary soft drink with a cup of green tea and see for yourself?

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