There are tremendous health benefits of green tea. A quick summary on green tea: Start drinking REAL green tea. And drink a lot of it!
The goal should be to drink at least 3 or 4 cups a day. Let me explain why.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
There’s a LOT of information in this post to help you not only learn the benefits of green tea but also where you find the best tea! Here’s a quick table of contents to help you maneuver around the article.
- Is Green Tea Good for you?
- 5 Big Health Benefits of Green Tea
- Green Tea Caffeine vs Coffee
- REAL Green Tea Brand Recommendations
- Green Tea Shot Recipe
Is Green Tea Good for you?
Apparently there is a lot of information out there that somehow puts the benefits of green tea into the negative. We get asked a lot — Is green tea good for you? YES!!! All the yes’s!
Throughout this post, we are going to go through the health benefits of green tea, our favorite brands and an amazing green tea shot recipe. So, yes, good green tea is good for you. The many benefits of green tea include: how it hydrates you as well as water while also providing additional benefits. Green tea lowers the risk of death… yes, you read that right.
Plus, let’s talk about the Green Tea Caffeine vs Coffee debate and give you some suggestions on making a morning caffeinated drink! Or, if you must have a coffee – try this organic Starbucks Vanilla Latte that you can make at home.
5 Big Health Benefits of Green Tea
The health benefits of green are associated with drinking antioxidant-rich has been touted for centuries. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrated that tea is a healthier choice than almost any beverage.
#1: Green Tea Re-hydrates
A huge benefit to green tea is that it not only re-hydrates as well as water but also provides a rich supply of polyphenols. These antioxidants help prevent disease and slow aging on many levels. Green tea is also a super anti-inflammatory.
#2: Green Tea Lowers Risk of Death
What is more, a Japanese study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that drinking green tea lowers risk of death due to all causes, including cardiovascular disease.
#3: Drinking Green Tea can Improve Your Appearance!
Green tea can even improve your appearance! In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Nutrition, green tea was show to boost skin elasticity and hydration and help protect against ultraviolet light–induced skin damage. If you start drinking real green tea regularly you will absolutely see an improvement in your overall skin quality.
NOTE: Add more benefits of green tea by enjoying this morning smoothie: Green Tea Smoothie or a Matcha Cocktail in the evening!
#4: Improve Health: a Tremendous Health Benefit of Green Tea
People in China, India, Japan, and Thailand have consumed green tea and used it for medicinal purposes for centuries. Most of the research showing the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically consumed in Asian countries—about 3 cups per day.
#5: Green Tea is Rich in Antioxidants
Green tea is rich in catechins, a special type of antioxidant that really should be ranked right up there along with the other well-known antioxidants like vitamins E and C. Catechins are potent free-radical scavengers, anti-agers, and health promoters. Learn more about catechins here.
Catechins Improve Liver Function and Augment Weight Loss
A huge health benefit of green tea is that it washes toxins out of the system through its liquid content. Then, the catechins in green tea are known to improve liver function and augment weight loss. This happens by increasing the metabolism of fats by the liver (a thermogenic effect), inhibiting lipase (a fat absorption enzyme) in the digestive tract, and provide a feeling of satiety and fullness.
Catechins Found in Green Tea Reduce Body Fat
Researchers have also found the catechins found in this delicious ingredient are a tremendous benefit of green tea. They help reduce body fat, lower systolic blood pressure, and decrease LDL cholesterol, all of which in turn contribute to a decrease in cardiovascular disease risk.
Green Tea Caffeine vs Coffee Debate
Around here, we love a good cup of morning organic coffee, because coffee can be good for you. But, we also love the health benefits of green tea and the caffeine dose paired with the antioxidants.
Unfortunately, the biggest difference between these two are the added ingredients. Most people don’t drink a black cup of coffee and add sweeteners, creamers, and flavored syrups. These additional ingredients can completely end the green tea caffeine vs coffee debate. With green tea, there is no additional ingredients needed to enjoy a cup of matcha. Whereas, the additional sweeteners added to coffee can significantly increase the unnecessary sugar.
Then, if you drink more than 1 cup of caffeine, then you’ve increased your chances of causing inflammation and other side effects from the sweeteners.
So, back to green tea caffeine vs coffee. While both green tea and coffee have tremendous benefits, we do think our Green Tea Shot Recipe below is an easy way to add the health benefits of green tea to your morning routine.
Then, if you still want a cup of joe, have one. But try to use natural sweeteners and homemade almond milk or cashew cream!
Buy REAL for the Green Tea Health Benefits
Please do not rush out to your nearest supermarket and start stocking up on Lipton Green Tea. Not all green tea is created equal when it comes to health benefits or taste and they don’t carry the same health benefits of green tea. In fact, so many of the standard green tea sold in the United States are loaded with pesticides, artificial flavorings and chemicals.
Best Green Tea is from Japan
For the most part, the green tea most people drink in the United States is not at all the same as the green tea they are drinking over in Japan.
Our Favorite Brands of Green Tea for Health Benefits:
The best health benefits of green tea come from these two selected brands. As mentioned above, not all green tea is created equal. Do your homework and get the best by selecting from the three options below.
#1: Matcha Love Green Tea:
MATCHA LOVE GREEN TEA: You can buy Matcha Green Tea here.
As the premier authentic Japanese green tea purveyor, Matcha Love knows the health and vitality benefits of green tea and matcha inside and out. And now you can enjoy both of these delicious and energizing drinks in one convenient package.
Matcha LOVE is… Harvest with heart – The highest quality premium Japanese green tea lends a vibrant jade hue and sweet umami taste. Best for brewing – Premium pyramid tea bags let water and tea leaves move around freely for the most beneficial brew. Wrapped Right – Individual envelopes keep tea leaves and matcha fresh.
#2: Costco’s Kirkland Signature Green Tea:
We particularly like Kirkland’s Brand found at Costco and Amazon for taste and price. Costco’s Kirkland tea is made from sencha green tea from Japan. In keeping with the Japanese tradition, the tea is gently steamed, rolled, and then dried. The minimal processing stops the oxidation and preserves the freshness, aroma, and color of the tea leaf.
#3: Enzo Organic Matcha Green Tea:
This delicious, high-quality, certified organic Enzo Matcha Green Tea has pure and rich flavor. This brand is all about their matcha, and like mentioned above, it is super high in vitamins and antioxidants. The great thing about Enzo Green Tea? They offer 100% refunds if you don’t love everything about their teas. We love making matcha latte’s with plant-based milk + honey!
Try our Green Tea Shot Recipe for Tremendous Benefits of Green Tea
Most Green Tea shots are alcoholic-based. Which yes, is fun and delicious. BUT, it doesn’t have any actual green tea in it. The typical ingredients are:
- Jameson Whiskey
- Peach Schnapps
- Sour Mix
- Lemon-Lime Soda
This “Green Tea Shot Recipe” was created by the Jameson Whiskey Company and is a bit telling because there’s no actual green tea in it. Which means, you’re not getting any health benefits of green tea either.
For REAL Green Tea Health Benefits, you must try our daily shot recipe below. It includes a heavy tablespoon of matcha green tea powder mixed with lemon and a dash of cayenne.
Kitchen Favorites
Energy-Boosting Green Tea Shot Recipe
Health Benefits of Green Tea are HUGE, but you need REAL green tea and drink enough for the health benefits. Plus a Green Tea Shot recipe.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Supplement Shot
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon organic matcha green tea
- Juice from 1 whole lemon
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a 6-8 ounce glass or stainless steel cup, add the green tea, lemon juice, water and cayenne pepper.
- Using a stainless steel whisk, combine all ingredients until well mixed.
- Drink cold. Recommended: drink in 1-2 big gulps.
Keywords: Green Tea Shot Recipe – Green Tea Benefits
P.S. Did You Know You Can Boost the Health Benefits of Green Tea with a Squirt of Lemon?
Just add a little squirt of vitamin C–rich freshly squeezed lemon juice into your green tea. By doing this, you can significantly boost the amount of catechins your body absorbs. Thereby, boosting the health, antioxidant, and detoxifying benefits of green tea.
If you try our Green Tea Shot recipe – let us know in the comments below! 🙂
Sarah says
The green tea benefits are worth the quick lemony shot. I do love the pinch of cayenne pepper. So good and nutritious.
★★★★★
Madeline Theis says
Good article on this. How Many cups of green tea a day is a common question for everyone who likes this tea.
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Good morning Madeline — The goal should be to drink at least 3 or 4 cups a day. Let us know if you have any more questions. Thanks for stopping by.
Cassaundra says
When you brew green tea, excessive heat or over-steeping will result in a bitter, tannin-rich tea. Be sure to not over-do it.
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Thank you Cassaundra, excellent point!
Michele says
Hi!
Can you get the same benefits from decaffeinated green tea?
Aimee Harris Niedosik says
Michele, I would suggest using the green tea in the article — they are the best ones we have found!
Kendal Knetemann says
I use green tea as my base for my smoothies in the morning. It rocks!!
Katie says
Hi Ivy,
I have really loved the Challenge so far – thanks so much for putting it together! I love your workouts on Youtube and must have found you at the perfect time because I’m also loving the ayahuasca articles.
Since starting the challenge a month ago I’ve been traveling full-time, so it’s been tricky making all the changes, but I’m looking forward to being back home in early December and then incorporating all of the changes in earnest. I definitely notice feeling much better when I’m eating along Clean Cuisine guidelines. Once I’m no longer living out of a suitcase, I’ll also be buying your book!
I have a quick question about the green tea — do you ever reuse tea bags, or do you brew each of the 3-4 cups with a fresh tea bag? I assume the best benefits come from fresh tea bags every cup, but just wanted to check.
Thank you so much!
Katie
Ivy Larson says
Hi Katie, Oh gosh, after going through what I experienced with the Ayahuasca I am sure there are no coincidences. If you are considering giving it a try I would definitely look into some of the articles and YouTube videos by Amber Lyon (she is a former CNN reporter and 3-time Emmy award winner and she does an incredible job reporting on the spiritual and medical benefits of Ayahuasca). She also has a great website: Reset.Me
I’m so glad to know you like the Challenge too! But yes, I know it can be tricky when traveling =( I probably need to do an article on how to make it more doable on the road…
As for the green tea, I don’t like to reuse the bags only because I think they lose potency. It’s not that it will harm you to reuse them or anything like that, you just won’t get the full benefit.
Please keep me posted on how you do with the Challenge! And if you decide to explore Ayahuasca further I would love to know…
Wishing you all the very best! xoxo
Katie says
Thanks so much for your feedback on the green tea and ayahuasca resources!
I am back in the States full-time, got my hands on the Clean Cuisine book, and just got the Costco brand green tea today. I also restarted using spirulina with your spirulina-lemon shot yesterday. I’m very excited to have the space and time for implementing Clean Cuisine full force.
One change I’ve been having difficulty with is flour cravings. I keep great quality dark chocolate on hand and have been upping my fruit intake, so it’s not as though I’m completely cutting out sugar. And I have Ezekiel bread on hand. But even with those foods, I’m still craving the sugar-white flour combination (ex. cookies). I’ve read in your articles that white flour has the same (maybe more?) blood sugar effect as table sugar, so I know it’s something to eliminate. Any thoughts you have would be much appreciated and I’ll be sure to keep you updated on progress and results!
Thanks again, Ivy!
Katie
Ivy Larson says
Hi Katie! Oh I am so happy to know the info is helping you. And I am thrilled you are doing the CC program =) And yes, please be sure to keep me posted on how things go. As for the sugar/ white flour cravings, I know all about those. In fact, I wrote an article about the #1 thing that helped me curb cravings (adding more fruit!) in the link below:
https://cleancuisine.com/how-to-stop-sugar-cravings/
In addition to adding fruit, I would be sure to also add plenty of vegetables—the phytonutrients in both fruits and veggies are VERY helpful in curbing cravings. The more well-nourished your body becomes, the fewer food cravings you will have. Not sure if you also happened to see the article I wrote yesterday on Spirulina? Adding 1 tablespoon of that a day could also be very helpful. Here’s the link in case you missed it: https://cleancuisine.com/benefits-of-spirulina/
Patty says
Hi Ivy,
Do I need to brew the tea to get the benefits? I sink a green tea bag in room temperature water and then add ginger and lemon. It is so much faster then brewing it and then cooling it off.
Thanks in advance!
Patty
Ivy Larson says
Hi Patty, that’s a great question! The method your describing will definitely give you some benefits but I do think brewing will give you significantly more. If you don’t want to drink it hot I would recommend making it in bigger batches—you could try heating 1/2 cup water and then putting three tea bags in and let them brew for about 3 minutes. You can then add 2 1/2 cups cold water (and some ice too!) and you’ll have 3 servings of iced green tea that will keep for up to a week in the fridge. Hope this helps?
Patty says
Yes, thank you!
Ines says
From the moment i drank my first cup i felt the difference. I really enjoy the taste with agabe. I bought the Costco brand.
Ivy Larson says
Thanks so much for commenting Ines–and so glad you feel the difference too =)
nicole says
I would like to receive all the health benefits of green tea but am very sensitive to caffeine.
If I drink decaf green tea will I still be able to gain the health benefits or is it lost in the decaffeinating process? Any recommendations of decaf green tea brands or teas you have found to purchase?
Ivy Larson says
Hi Nicole! This is such a great question! Here is a link with info I think will help answer your question: http://nutrition.about.com/od/askyournutritionist/f/decafgreen.htm
Pam says
Ivy, are you at all concerned about drinking Japanese Green tea following the Fukashima disaster? I try to avoid products grown/produced in Japan.