We visited Kanan Devan Hill Plantation Company in Munnar, recently. A century-old company has an interesting history. They call it a Tea Museum and they charge the visitors to view the museum. But the real value comes from the person who explained us the benefit of drinking green tea. He was so passionate to explain us the benefits of drinking green tea, he called all of us an idiot for not knowing anything about how to make/drink green tea, not knowing why to drink green tea. Some of us were ashamed about our ignorance and some of us were angry for calling us idiot multiple times after paying the entrance fees. Be that as it may, there is no doubt green tea offers immense health benefits.
Ingredients of Green tea:
Vitamin A, B. C, E & K. Green tea is rich in Vitamin K., In addition, Green tea contains more than 2000 ingredients.
Health Benefits of drinking Green tea: {According to Tea Board of India and United Planters Association of Southern India – Krishi Vigyan Kendra (UPASI, KVK)}
- Reduces unwanted cholesterol by action of caffeine, by increasing the rate at which calories are burnt in the blood
- Controls blood pressure
- Burns excess calories reduces fat, and fight obesity
- Acts as the diuretic. Aids kidney action, prevent stone formation and kidney action
- Improves lipid and glucose metabolism, prevents increase in blood sugar
- The epigallocatechin gallate present in the green tea protects cells from damage linked to various cancers
- The antioxidants fight against the free radicals and reduce the effects of aging on skin, wrinkles, sunburn, and acne.
- Prevent cell damage and prevents Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s like disease.
- Protect tooth decay & bad breath by inhibiting plaque formation & provide natural fluoride.
- Natural source of minerals and vitamins, strengthen bones and teeth.
- Reduce damage to the liver due to smoking and alcohol.
- Prevents and reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Acts as an antidote to stress & headache.
- Increase memory power.
How to make Green tea:
- Warm one-liter water.
- As the first bubble comes, switch off the stove.
- Add one teaspoon of green tea.
- Cover the lid for 5 minutes.
- Don’t filter, drink the tea.
- Add lemon to taste.
Some Tips:
- Drink 4 to 5 cups only after the food.
- No green tea for below 5-year children.
- Drink only maximum 2 cups during the pregnancy.
- Green tea is vitamin K rich. Vitamin K can be consumed 120 micrograms per day.
Following exerpt from the article 7 Things Japan Can Teach You About Living A Long, Healthy Life published in Huffington post, describes drinking green tea is one of the reasons for long and health style of Japanese people:
“Despite the specialized ritual, tea consumption is an integral part of the everyday Japanese lifestyle. This habit puts them in the top ten <http://qz.com/168690/where-the-worlds-biggest-tea-drinkers-are/> tea-drinking nations – ahead of their bigger neighbor, China. Most tea consumed in Japan is green. In fact, without a qualifier, the word for “tea” in Japanese automatically means green.
Green tea is not only delicious (have you had green tea ice cream?), but also insanely beneficial. Studies have connected drinking green tea to reduce risk of heart disease and cancer and higher levels of cognitive function. And Japanese citizens who drank five cups of green tea per day had 26 percent lower mortality rates.”
We, Indians, are fond of black/white tea. You can add green tea schedule in addition to maintaining your black/white tea schedule. Drinking for health is more important than mere drinking for taste and mood.
“Drinking a cup of green tea, I stopped the war.” Paul Reps.
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