8 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Green tea has many health benefits, including being high in antioxidants. The newest research on the benefits of drinking tea, including green tea, suggested that drinking at least four daily cups of black, green or Oolong tea lowered a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 17% over the span of a decade.

The health benefits of drinking tea may have to do with polyphenols, compounds found naturally in plants that provide antioxidants. The most prominent polyphenols in green tea, catechins, may be particularly helpful in warding off disease by protecting cells from damage. When green tea leaves are fermented to make black tea, the catechins convert to theaflavins, another form of antioxidants.

Some Benefits of Green Tea

Here are some other reasons to drink green tea:

1. It may help with weight loss. Its active ingredient, EGCG, may support the rate at which fat is burned in your body.
2. Unsweetened green tea keeps energy stable by balancing blood sugar levels. EGCG may help support insulin use in the body, which may contribute to more stable blood sugar levels.
3. Research shows it may be helpful against lung cancer. Research has studied green tea's compounds for their potential effects on lung health.
4. Research has studied EGCG for its potential effects on colorectal health.
5. It may prevent skin damage and wrinkling. EGCG may help protect skin from free radical damage. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage, so lessening their numbers may help reduce wrinkling and other signs of aging.
6. It contains a potent antioxidant that kills free radicals. Because it is a potent antioxidant it can positively impact a lot more than skin cells. Free radicals are increasingly linked to many serious chronic illnesses like arthritis, diabetes and cancer.

If you are not a tea drinker or do not like the taste of green tea, you can get many of the benefits of the green tea extract in green tea by taking a supplement.

*Thanks to care2.com for these great points.

Matcha has also been researched on its own. In a 2024 randomized controlled trial published in PLOS ONE, researchers studied the impact of matcha green tea on the cognitive function and sleep quality of older adults suffering from cognitive decline over a period of 12 months. There’s also a study looking at how matcha impacts fat oxidation during brisk walking, as well as another studying the effects of matcha in reducing fatigue around resistance training.

The Antioxidants in Green Tea

The antioxidants in green tea come mainly from polyphenols called catechins. The standout is EGCG, which may help protect cells from free radical damage. Because the leaves are steamed rather than fully fermented, green tea holds onto more of these catechins than black tea does.

Matcha, Sencha and Gunpowder Green Tea

Not all green tea tastes or brews the same. Matcha tea is whole green tea leaf ground into a fine powder, so you actually consume the leaf. Sencha green tea is the everyday cup of steeped tea most Japanese people drink, while gunpowder green tea gets its name from the leaves being rolled into tiny little pellets which unfurl upon brewing with hot water.

Jasmine and Chinese Green Tea Traditions

For centuries, green tea has also had cultural significance. Chinese tea culture has contributed many of the green tea varieties that we consume today. And you can encounter green tea and jasmine tea as one beverage in the form of green tea leaves that have been scented with jasmine flowers. The jasmine doesn’t make a huge difference to the antioxidants. It just imparts that delicate floral scent.

The Calming Side of Green Tea

Now here's why you feel differently drinking green tea than you do drinking coffee. Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes feelings of calm and alertness. When coupled with green tea's relatively small amount of caffeine, L-theanine can contribute to sustained energy throughout the day. This may be one reason why many people opt for a soothing, calming green tea rather than an espresso during the afternoon hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does green tea has caffeine?

Yes. Caffeine content in green tea is typically 25 to 50mg per 8 oz. cup, about a fourth to half of a similar serving size of coffee. This varies based on type of tea leaf, brewing time, and water temperature. Matcha has a higher caffeine level since the entire powdered leaf is consumed.

How much caffeine green tea has is typically 25 to 50mg per 8 oz. cup, about a fourth to half of a similar serving size of coffee. This varies based on the type of tea leaf, brewing time, and water temperature, and matcha has a higher caffeine level since the entire powdered leaf is consumed.

Is green tea with matcha good for you?

Matcha is whole green tea leaf finely ground up. This means you’re ingesting the whole leaf, not just the liquid from steeping the leaf. Studies have been done on matcha for its antioxidant properties, its effect on cognitive performance, and its impact on fat oxidation during exercise. Matcha also contains more caffeine than a typical cup of steeped green tea. If caffeine intake is an issue for you, this may be something to keep in mind.

Can drinking green tea help with weight loss?

Green tea may help with weight loss. Its active ingredient, EGCG, may support the rate at which fat is burned in your body. There is also research looking at how matcha impacts fat oxidation during brisk walking. Keep in mind that green tea works best as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, and these effects are supportive rather than a guaranteed outcome for everyone.

Does green tea contain antioxidants that fight free radicals?

Yes. Green tea is high in antioxidants, which come mainly from polyphenols called catechins. The standout is EGCG, a potent antioxidant that may help protect cells from free radical damage. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage, so lessening their numbers may help reduce signs of aging. Because the leaves are steamed rather than fully fermented, green tea holds onto more of these catechins than black tea does.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.