It’s the simple things that count at times like this. The quiet moments. The moments we take for ourselves or choose to share with someone we love. For me, one of the great pleasures of the long days we all face at the moment, is sitting down with a cup of tea. And it has to be green. Not only is it pleasurable but very beneficial too. For many however, green tea seems more boring than pleasurable but let me assure you, it’s worth the effort. And there are many flavours that make it’s delicate and subtle taste more interesting. Lemon and jasmine being my personal favourites.
It’s long been known that green tea is crammed full of anti-oxidants
This most super of superfoods, will get your immune system working better and give your brain a powerful boost. It has a low amount of caffeine that nevertheless will give a little lift without any of the jitteriness associated with too much caffeine.
The real brain boost however, comes from L-theanine
This amino acid, abundant in green tea (and present in black tea too), promotes relaxation and eases stress without causing any drowsiness. In fact L-theanine can be taken as a supplement for anxiety and increases dopamine in your brain. It can also be used as a natural sleep supplement and is something I will occasionally use for this purpose.
And the incredible benefits of green tea go even further. It has a positive effect on blood sugar and can help you to lose weight. It also reduces inflammation which makes it a powerful health aid.
To add to this, the latest research now shows that green tea can even help with allergies by suppressing the TH2 immune response. All this from a cup of tea!
Green tea is also the least processed of all teas
Matcha green tea from Japan is the most powerful and beneficial of all green teas containing more of everything. It’s quite intense though so on a daily basis I go for a nice organic green tea. Good quality green tea will have a green tinge. If it’s brown that’s a sign of being oxidised which means that most of it’s beneficial compounds will have been damaged. Teas from Japan are usually top quality.
And did I mention Green tea is also anti-ageing?
Ok everyone, form an orderly queue for the kettle!
Some of my favourite teas:
Clipper Organic Loose Tea – most of the worlds’ tea is grown in China which is very polluted and it’s quite hard to find a regular green tea grown anywhere else. This very good quality one is organic so at least it’s been grown in a pure environment.
Organic Sencha Green Tea – these high quality tea bags are from Japan. It has a subtle light taste.
L-theanine – if you suffer from insomnia, specially because of stress or anxiety, these supplements may help. Take within an hour of going to sleep.
Matcha Green Tea – the king of all teas for a powerful hit of anti-oxidants.
Comments 4
I love Tick Tock Rooibos organic green tea. Do you think this has the same benefits as traditional green tea? Would appreciate your opinion. Jilly.
Author
Absolutely added to which you get the benefits of rooibos which is also a favourite of mine!
My Green teas are at the ready since Reading your article..
A lovely article Glynis. Yes we are much calmer in our family. So nice to have time for each other, to eat and talk together. Yes even playing Scrabble and cards. I even have a large vegetable patch prepared by my son. Looking forward to the produce.