Tea is one of the most consumed drinks in the world. It is appreciated on all continents. It consists in the infusion of leaves or buds of tea tree. The latter is a shrub native to Asia.
In commerce, we find different forms of tea: green tea, black tea, yellow tea, white tea, Oolong tea, post-fermented tea. These teas are not obtained from tea trees of different species. This is the same plant, but they differ in their preparation.
Here, we focus on green tea whose particularity is to be less oxidized to maintain maximum nutritional values naturally present in the plant, and in particular to keep a good content of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Green tea is often listed among super plants. Why? We will try to understand the reasons and identify if green tea is really as beneficial as some say.
Origins and presentation of green tea
In the introduction, we pointed out that the different types of tea come from the same plant, the tea plant, but that it is their post-harvest preparation that differs most often.
When the tea is harvested, it undergoes natural oxidation. The principle of green tea is precisely to stop this oxidation quickly. Two methods are possible:
- The Chinese method: tea leaves are heated in vats
- The Japanese method: tea leaves are heated by steam
The goal is to obtain a less oxidized tea that retains most of its nutritional properties compared to black tea and other forms of tea. It is usually buds and young leaves that are used for green tea.
Green tea is mainly produced in Asia and especially in China and Japan, but there is also green tea from India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, Nepal, and Turkey.
Nutritional properties of green tea
If green tea is appreciated and considered by many as a super plant, it is thanks to its nutritional properties.
Indeed, as we have pointed out, by being less oxidized, green tea retains a higher content of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Epigallocatechin gallate is the ester of epigallocatechin and gallic acid. It is a flavanol that is very present in tea and is an excellent antioxidant. In other words, green tea is a natural antioxidant that helps fight against free radicals and strengthen the immune system. Ideal for fighting fatigue, stress, diseases, and inflammations.
Green tea is composed of about 20% phenolic elements (flavonols, phenols, tannins, proanthocyanidins), about 15-20% protein (3% amino acids), carbohydrates (5%), 2- 5% purine (caffeine), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), B vitamins, saponins, glycosides and minerals.
How to consume Green Tea?
Green tea is usually consumed as an infusion just like any other tea. It exists in different formats: whole leaves, soluble, sachet. In any case, whatever the form, the tea is placed in boiling water to be infused for a few minutes. Then you can choose between drinking hot or cold tea, according to your preferences.
More rare is tea in the form of capsules based on green tea extracts. This solution allows to dose consumption when following a cure. However, green tea is also appreciated for its taste, which does not get the capsule.
Does green tea make you lose weight?
According to several studies, green tea has a slimming effect. It is the catechins and caffeine that contains green tea that would be responsible for this effect. Thus, regular consumption of green tea helps to lose weight. This is particularly true of people who are obese and who consume green tea daily.
However, green tea is not a miracle product, and without a diet designed to lose weight, green tea does not really affect weight.
In summary, it is easier to lose weight when you consume daily green tea, but this drink alone cannot lose weight.
Who is green tea for?
At the base, tea is especially a drink appreciated for its taste. Drinking hot or cold tea is a small moment of pleasure. Everyone can drink green tea, there is really no contraindication on this subject.
But it is true that green tea has health benefits. It can, therefore, be recommended for people who are often sick to strengthen their immune system. It can also be useful during periods of fatigue and/or stress. Tea helps to find the energy and relax.
Nevertheless, like any food, it should not be abused. Of course, to get an excess of green tea, you have to drink it many times each day, which is unlikely. On the other hand, when one takes green tea in the form of capsules, this excess can arrive more quickly since the capsules often have a higher concentration of green tea.
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