Tea has been part of our lives for generations, especially in China. But besides its refreshing taste, tea also hides many health benefits. Among all the different types, green tea is especially famous for its ability to protect our health.
Today, let's explore how drinking green tea regularly can benefit our body — especially in controlling blood sugar.
Recent studies show that drinking green tea every day can help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and improve blood sugar control. A large-scale study involving over 500,000 people found that:
• People who drink green tea daily have 8% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who never drink tea.
• Among people who already have diabetes, drinking tea daily can reduce the risk of death by 10% and lower the risk of microvascular complications by 12%.
Another study from Japan also found that green tea helps slow down the rise of blood sugar after meals by promoting insulin secretion. However, it's important to note that tea alone cannot replace medicine — it can only be a helpful addition alongside proper medical treatment.
Green tea is different from other teas because it's not fermented during processing. This helps preserve more natural nutrients, making it one of the healthiest teas. The key ingredient that makes green tea so powerful is tea polyphenols, which are higher in green tea than in black or oolong tea.
Green tea also contains:
• Amino acids
• Vitamin C
• Minerals like calcium, potassium, and zinc
These nutrients work together to bring many health benefits.
Besides helping with blood sugar, green tea can also do wonders for other parts of our body.
Want brighter and younger-looking skin? Green tea contains tea polyphenols and vitamin C, which have strong antioxidant effects. Research shows that green tea extract can reduce wrinkles and improve skin elasticity, helping our skin look youthful.
Do you want to stay in shape? Drinking green tea regularly might help! Ancient books already mentioned that green tea can help slim down. Modern studies have proven that green tea can:
• Reduce body fat
• Lower BMI (Body Mass Index)
• Help burn more calories after meals
If you're trying to lose weight, having a cup of green tea after meals could give you a little boost!
Green tea isn't just good for the inside of our body — it can also help with our breath! The tea polyphenols in green tea can reduce bacteria in the mouth, preventing bad breath and protecting our teeth from cavities.
Spring is the best season to enjoy fresh green tea. As the saying goes, "A cup of tea in spring, three months of freshness."
Why is spring tea better?
• Tea leaves harvested in spring have more amino acids and vitamins.
• Spring tea has the best aroma and taste.
• It's less likely to be affected by pests, making the quality much better.
If you're planning to stock up on green tea, always choose this year's spring harvest for the freshest flavor.
Even though green tea is healthy, it's not suitable for everyone. Here are a few people who should drink it with caution:
• People with stomach problems (green tea is a little acidic)
• Those who have difficulty sleeping (avoid drinking at night)
• People with low blood pressure
• Pregnant women (too much caffeine isn't good for the baby)
Green tea isn't just a simple drink — it's a gift from nature to help us stay healthy. From protecting blood sugar to improving skin and helping with weight loss, this little green leaf truly has many benefits.
However, drinking tea is just one part of a healthy lifestyle. Balanced meals, regular exercise, and following your doctor's advice are still the key to staying healthy.
So, Lykkers, are you a tea lover? What's your favorite type of tea? Share your tea-drinking habits in the comments below — let's talk about the joy of tea together!