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8 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Posted on by Paula Gallagher

green-teapotGreen tea has many health benefits, including being high in antioxidants. And in a new study out of Sweden, participants noticed increased satiety and fullness after they drank 300ml (just over a cup) of green tea with breakfast. They also reported having a less strong desire to eat their favorite food and finding it less pleasant to eat another mouthful of the same food. Hmm, I wonder if this works for chocolate? Here are some other great reasons to drink green tea.* 1. Green tea is a superb fat fighter. Its active ingredient, EGCG, increases the rate at which fat is burned in your body. 2. It targets belly fat. Research at Tufts University indicates that EGCG in green tea, like other catechins, activates fat-burning genes in the abdomen to speed weight loss by 77%. 3. It keeps energy stable by balancing blood sugar levels. EGCG improves insulin use in the body to prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes that can result in fatigue, irritability, and cravings for unhealthy foods. 4. Research shows it may be helpful against lung cancer. In an April 2010 study published in Cancer Prevention Research, EGCG was found to suppress lung cancer cell growth. 5. It may halt colorectal cancer. In numerous other studies, EGCG appears to inhibit colorectal cancers. 6. In research, it appears to cause prostate cancer cells to commit suicide. A March 2010 study in Cancer Science indicated that EGCG aids the body by causing prostate cancer cells to commit suicide. 7. It may prevent skin damage and wrinkling. EGCG appears to be 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at destroying skin-damaging free radicals. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage, so lessening their numbers may help reduce wrinkling and other signs of aging. 8. 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 by taking a supplement. *Thanks to care2.com for these great points. Photo from here, with thanks.
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