Superfood of the Week: Health Benefits of Green Tea

Worried about getting enough antioxidants? Well worry no more! Sometimes it can be hard to get in enough antioxidant-rich foods, but what if you could drink your antioxidants instead? For an effortless way to get antioxidants, try the super food of the week: Green Tea!

Many teas are high in antioxidants, but green tea contains a powerful phenol compound known as ECGC, which has been found to have many benefits on the body. Antioxidants fight off free radicals in our body that can cause many diseases, but research on green tea has been found to reduce the risk of:

• high cholesterol
• certain cancers
• inflammatory bowel disease
• diabetes
• coronary artery disease
• liver disease
• inflammatory diseases including arthritis

It can also increase action of antibiotics, according to at least one study.

Tea also tends to have a relaxing effect when sipped, which can help reduce stress and improve your overall wellbeing. For the most benefit, drink at least one to two cups of green tea each day. Not only will you get great nutrition, but you’ll be hydrating your body at the same time!

Swap green tea for soda and other sugary drinks, or have it instead of your daily cup of coffee. It contains less caffeine and more antioxidants. To spice up your daily green tea, add a touch of honey, drink it iced, or try this refreshing twist, courtesy of allrecipes.com:

Citrus-Honey Green Tea

Ingredients

• 1 piece lemon zest, cut
• 2 tsp. water (boiled)
• 2 tsp. green tea powder
• ¾ cup hot water
• ½ cup squeezed grapefruit juice
• 3 Tbsp. squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp. honey

Preparation

1. Add lemon zest to cup or mug and cover with the boiling water. Let steep for about 3 minutes.
2. Stir in green tea powder and hot water.
3. Add the grapefruit and lemon juice. Add the honey. Mix and serve.

Sit back and relax with a mug today!