Green tea is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis and originates from China. It is becoming more popular in Western culture where traditionally, black tea has been the most popular tea variety. Since green tea minimally undergoes the oxidization process, it retains the majority of its nutrients and essential oils, making it an excellent source of antioxidants and polyphenols. Green tea is available in many varieties depending on where the leaves come from, and these selections offer a range of health benefits to tea drinkers.

The flavonoids and polyphenols in green tea are responsible for speeding up the metabolism by increasing the heart rate and oxidizing fat at a faster rate. Green tea has also been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers and decrease the chance of heart attack and heart disease. It does this by lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels, while rebuilding blood vessels. 

With the health benefits of green tea, this beverage has been in the spotlight and even offers a diet of its very own: The Green Tea Diet. In this weight loss plan, the goal of green tea is to speed up the metabolism and allow the caffeine to curb the appetite. And with a healthy metabolic boost, dieters can enjoy more energy at the gym. There’s no need to worry about too much caffeine either, as green tea has less than coffee.

Green tea comes from Japan, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The benefits of green tea have not been secret in other parts of the world, as the infamous Book of Tea written by a Zen priest in 1191 details the positive effect that green tea has on the vital organs. It also discusses the medicinal properties to green tea, as well as its ability to prevent fatigue.

There are many claims about the health benefits to green tea and while many have been proven in studies, others are still speculated. What makes green tea rise to the top in terms of health benefits is that the leaves are steamed in place of being fermented, retaining the heart-boosting polyphenols. Not all green tea is created equal, however. Look for loose leaf selections that offer the greatest health rewards.