Green tea has been used as a health tonic throughout Asia for centuries. Prepared as a beverage, it was adopted into Western culture from Asia once the many health benefits were realized. Additionally, honey contains potent health-aiding antioxidants and chemicals on it's own accord; and provides a much healthier alternative to traditional sweeteners such as processed sugars. Combined together, the two provide a strong health elixir; promoting good health and vitality.
It tastes better with honey
Not
everyone enjoys the taste of nature's wonder plant. It can be a little
bitter to some, especially if it is left to brew for too long (I've been
guilty of this a few times). One way to make it more palatable, is to
stir in a few drops of honey. Part from contributing to the overall
health benefits of the tea, it will also make it easier to drink;
effectively making you more likely to drink more. this is a good thing!!
Together, they provide one of the best combinations for fighting off the common cold.
Imagine
breathing in the steam rising off a freshly brewed cup of green tea;
experience the relaxing fragrance, and feel your nasal passages open up
and your stuffy nose clear.
Your symptoms and worries literally float away.
Then,
as the honey gently soothes your throat, the caffeine and sugar ease
your symptoms and give you a boost of energy; reducing lethargy. Lastly,
the antioxidants and catechins in this cold-killer prevent further
colds with its immune boosting powers.
The advantages of this combination is not just fighting off colds. Both have significant health benefits further to this.
You and me, and tea and honey, so much 'Better together'
Green
tea and honey complement each other's health benefits perfectly. When
consumed separately, they have remarkable health benefits. But when
their powers are combined, these health benefits are compounded.
Honey
consumption alleviates allergies, boosts memory, suppresses coughs, and
aids sleep. Some of green teas health benefits include improving memory
and staving off degenerative brain disease; anti inflammatory and
anti-cancer properties; protecting against cardiovascular disease; and
promoting relaxation for those suffering from anxiousness.
Both improve brain function.
Green
Tea can make you smarter; accordingly to at least one peer-reviewed
study. Additionally, honey also has benefits to brain function.
Caffeine, one of the prime ingredients of green tea is a neurological
stimulant; provides mental stimulation and fights fatigue without the
significant jittering and 'buzzing' side effects associated with coffee
and energy drinks. It provides fatigue relief without being overly
stimulative. Together, green tea and honey provide improved
concentration and musters brain neurons in a more focussed,
task-oriented way. Additionally, improves reaction time, problem solving
skills, and is shown to increase performance on memory tasks compared
to placebos.
Weight Loss
Another benefit of
this drink is its 'assistance' in shifting fat. It does this by
increasing fat oxidation when combined with exercise. In effect, it
promotes the preferential use of fat stores for energy (over other
alternative sources) when exercising after consumption. In fact, many of
the commercially available weight loss supplements will contain green
tea extract due to this known property, as well as its overall
metabolism-boosting properties. Honey, is also credited with focusing
the body on increasing fat oxidation, and is a much healthier sweetener
than sugar. When the powers of green tea and honey combine, fat
oxidation can increase by a remarkable 17%.
Anti-cancer Properties
One
well-documented and praised benefit of green tea is its reduction in
the incidence of certain types of cancer. The active catechin, EGCG is
credited as the main reason for these remarkable benefits. Honey can
actually improve these effects even further, releasing antioxidants that
promote good health and vitality. Outcomes of some cancers, a disease
characterised by uncontrolled multiplying of cells, can be improved with
combined green tea and honey consumption. As well as decreasing the
likelihood of developing certain types of cancer, drinking green tea
with honey can actually aid in the treatment of some cancers.
Green Tea and Honey a Day, keeps the Dentist at bay
The
final one we will mention today is its antibacterial properties. One
major benefit of this is the combination can save you money at the
dentist. Honestly, no one likes going to the dentist, and anything that
reduces the number of visits is brilliant. The antibacterial effects of
squeezing some honey into your green tea, can help fight plaque buildup
caused by the streptococcus mutans bacteria. This provides better dental
health, and can help prevent other dental issues.
This list, is
by no means extensive. There are many other health benefits of drinking
this delightful concoction. More can be found at the Green Tea Benefits
Website, or alternatively this blog post.
Considering all of these
benefits, I'm inclined to make a cuppa now, and take the Cat Empire's
advice, and put some 'honey in my tea'.
Thanks for reading.
If you'd like more information about the benefits and side effects of green tea, visit the website: http://www.greenteabenefits.org.
Here you will find a comprehensive guide about all of the health
benefits and side effects surrounding this wonderful drink. There is a
comprehensive batch of resources that covers everything you need to know
about the health benefits for the worlds favorite prepared beverage.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Erik_Halper/2187833
