I have been drinking green tea for many years, and I want to share with you some of the science behind this delicious beverage.

Green tea (Camellia sinesis) contains a variety of biologically active compounds, including catechins, which are powerful antioxidants. Catechins are a type of flavonoid, which is a diverse group of polyphenols. The numerous hydroxyl groups in the catechin molecules give them strong antioxidant properties (Cardoso et al., 2020; Steinmann et al., 2013). One of the most important catechins in green tea is EGCG (or (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate), although there are many others.

Research suggests that catechins have numerous health benefits, including anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, and anti-hypertensive effects (Musial et al., 2020). Specifically, polyphenols like EGCG have shown promising results in preventing breast, lung, prostate, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Thus, drinking green tea can complement a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the consumption of green tea is believed to be an effective dietary measure for promoting mental clarity and cognitive function (Kim et al., 2019).

Green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that, when combined with caffeine, can improve concentration, alertness, and performance, and reduce stress (Unno et al., 2019; Dietz et al., 2017). Matcha tea, which has a relatively high theanine content, has a unique, non-bitter taste that, in combination with caffeine, provides a distinct taste sensation (Kochmann et al., 2020).

In summary, green tea is a healthy and delicious beverage with numerous health benefits. Whether you're a fan of green tea or have never tried it before, I encourage you to give it a try. Below is a graphic summarizing the benefits of green tea, along with the literature I used to write this text. I hope you enjoyed learning about green tea, and stay tuned for more scientific texts in the future!