Green Tea - beneficial but not a magic cure...

I witness many people sipping green tea. I refuse to believe they drink it for pleasure, because let's face it, it doesn't exactly taste amazing. A relative of mine thinks it "tastes like dishwater".

It's widely labelled as "healthy" and rightly so. Here's a few reasons why;

- It contains 'flavonoids' and 'catechins' which act as anti-oxidants, protecting your cells from 'free radicals'.
- The caffeine dose acts as a stimulant, aiding brain function, concentration and exercise performance.
- It contains 'L-theanine', an amino acid which crosses the blood-brain barrier and helps with anxiety through the release of dopamine.
- It can increase your metabolic rate ('metabolism') by 4-5%, meaning your body burns slightly more calories.
- It has been linked to a lower risk of developing cancers such as breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.
- It is being linked to a decreased risk of developing degenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

BUT

As much as it has health benefits, it is not a magic ingredient that will suddenly make you lose weight. It is the equivalent of a screw or bolt in a car. It helps, but there are many many more important things needed first.

Don't like it? Don't drink it.