The Green Tea Magic!

The weather's gotten cooler. Daylight savings time is behind us so we've got longer, darker evenings ahead of us. And winter is coming, along with flu and cold season. But there are compensations. On a blustery day, there's nothing better than curling up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, with a good book, an affectionate pet- and a steaming cup of green tea. It warms your belly, it warms your hands- and that cup can contain all kinds of great health benefits that can help you get through the winter feeling good.

Coffee may have its place as a healthy beverage, but green tea is often touted as the miracle drink for your mug. Here's why you should drink the green tea regularly:

1. Weight-loss wonder: Drinking green tea regularly has been shown to help suppress appetite and increase your metabolism- both of which can help you save or burn a few calories while you celebrate the best of the season.
   
2. Sickness prevention: Nonstop shopping, traveling, and socializing can mean the combination of cold-inducing pathogens and a weakened immune system, so give yours a boost with green tea. Several studies have shown that green tea has antiviral properties; one study found that taking green tea catechin capsules helped prevent health- care workers from catching flu, and another found that Japanese schoolchildren who drank green tea for six days a week or more were less likely to catch the flu.
   
3. Stress relief: Curling up with a warm beverage can be relaxing, especially when the rest of your day is hectic, but drinking too much caffeine has its downsides. Too much caffeine can lead to anxiety, stress, and trouble sleeping, so if you find yourself running out for a coffee break or having friends over for a cup several times a day, switch to green tea. Not only does green tea contain only half the amount of caffeine as a normal cup of coffee, but many people also say green tea's fresh, grassy flavor helps them relax.
   
4. Brain booster: L-theanine is an amino acid present in green tea, which when paired with the right amount of caffeine, has synergistic effects. When combined, the two work together to improve brain function by providing you with stable energy and making you more productive.
   
5. Protector of your pearly-whites: Catechins in green tea improve dental health by killing bacteria in the mouth. It actively attacks 'Streptococcus Mutans' the primary harmful bacteria in the mouth, thereby reducing plaque formation, cavities and tooth decay.
   
6. Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes: Research shows that Green tea drinkers had an 18% lower risk of becoming diabetic.
   
7. Lower Risk of Cardio Vascular Diseases: Green tea increases the antioxidant capability of the blood, which protects the LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation. Green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.