10 Evidence-Based Benefits of Green Tea

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or other tangible benefit. Wellos and Healthline Media are owned by RVO Health. Here&#;s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Was this helpful?

Green tea may help support cognition, maintenance of moderate weight, and offer some protection against cancer.

Green tea is touted to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet that could have many potential health benefits.

Here are 10 possible health benefits of green tea.

1. Contains plant-based antioxidant compounds

Green tea contains a type of polyphenol called a catechin. Catechins are antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and provide other health benefits.

The most well-known and abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which research has found may be involved in improving various health conditions or markers of disease.

Summary

Green tea has polyphenol antioxidants, including a catechin called EGCG. These antioxidants could have various beneficial effects on health.

2. May improve cognitive function

A research paper found that drinking green tea may benefit cognition, mood, and brain function, possibly due to compounds in green tea like caffeine and L-theanine.

A study also suggested that green tea is linked with a 64% lower chance of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults. More human studies are needed to further explore this effect.

Summary

Green tea has functional ingredients that may combine to improve brain function and cognitive health. Green tea seems to be linked with a lower chance of cognitive impairment in middle and older age.

3. Could help with fat burning

A review found that the ability of green tea to positively influence your metabolism is enhanced with aerobic or resistance exercise.

That said, the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements suggests that while some studies do show an ability for green tea to improve how your body breaks down fat, its overall effect on weight loss is likely to be small.

Summary

Green tea may increase metabolic rate and increase fat burning in the short term, although not all studies agree. Green tea&#;s ability to improve fat burning is improved when paired with exercise.

Link to chenlv

4. Might lower the risk of some cancers

While the evidence is mixed and inconsistent, research has linked drinking green tea with a reduced chance of developing some types of cancer, such as lung cancer or ovarian cancer.

A review found that while experimental research shows a modest beneficial effect, scientists could not conclude any consistent effects of green tea on overall cancer likelihood. Additional high quality research is needed.

Summary

There is some evidence of a relationship between drinking green tea and less chance of certain cancers. But, much more research in humans is needed to better explore this.

5. May protect the brain from aging

A study showed that green tea was linked with lower levels of certain markers related to Alzheimer&#;s disease in people without current, known cognitive issues. Compounds such as EGCG and L-theanine may be responsible.

However, a study reported that drinking too much, 13 cups or more per day (all types of tea), could increase the chance of Alzheimer&#;s disease. Clinical evidence on how exactly green tea affects the human brain is lacking.

Summary

The bioactive compounds in green tea may support brain health. Green tea could be linked with less likelihood of neurodegenerative disease, but more clinical studies in humans are needed to clarify any effect.

6. Could help with oral health

A review of studies has found that drinking green tea, or using green tea extract, could be linked to better oral health.

However, most of the research on this subject did not examine human subjects. While results are promising, more clinical research in humans is needed.

Summary

There is encouraging evidence that green tea could help with oral health, but additional studies are needed.

8. Might help prevent heart disease

A recent review of studies suggests that regularly drinking green tea could lower many risk factors of heart disease, such as blood pressure or lipids.

That said, there is still a lack of consistent, long-term evidence in human clinical trials able to show cause and effect.

Summary

Green tea could help lower some markers of heart disease. Studies show that people who drink green tea have a lower chance of heart disease, but more clinical evidence is needed to confirm the findings.

10. Might help you live longer

Green tea may have protective compounds against cancer and heart disease, which may help you live longer. Research from Japan found that those who drank five cups or more per day had a lower chance of death from all causes than those drinking one cup or less.

A study found that drinking seven cups of green tea daily decreased the risk of death from all causes by 62%, even among people who have had heart attacks.

Summary

Studies show that people who drink green tea may live longer than those who don&#;t.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I drink green tea every day?

Generally speaking, most people can enjoy green tea daily as part of an otherwise balanced eating plan. While the evidence is mixed, studies seem to show health benefits with three to five cups (24 to 40 ounces) consumed daily.

What is the main benefit of green tea?

Drinking green tea has many benefits. It is high in antioxidants, which may help prevent or remedy cellular damage and support your overall health. This includes reducing certain markers of inflammation which may decrease the risk of cognitive decline. It may even have some properties that help protect against cancer and heart disease.

How much green tea should you drink a day?

It may be good for your health to drink 1-3 cups of green tea a day. Keep in mind that most green tea contains caffeine, unless it has been decaffeinated, so drinking more than 6-8 cups daily is not advised.

Does green tea reduce belly fat?

Some research-based evidence suggests drinking green tea can help reduce body fat, including in the abdomen. However, more well-controlled human studies are needed to show a cause-and-effect relationship.

The bottom line

Green tea has a range of possible health benefits.

You may want to consider making green tea a regular part of your lifestyle in a way that meets your personal health goals and taste preferences.

Read this article in Spanish.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Green Tea Extract Powder.