Coffee Alternatives

Green tea is a powerful antioxidant originating from China. Made solely from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, it provides a multitude of health benefits.  The tea leaves undergo minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea can come in different varieties with diverse benefits for varying conditions. The varieties differ based on growing conditions, harvesting time and methods processing.

Drunk hot, green tea provides a warming yet refreshing alternative to coffee. You can also leave the concoction to cool with lemon and honey and refrigerate to make a healthy substitute for drinking cold water, cordial or fizzy drinks throughout the day.

Health Benefits of Green Tea:

• Rich source of polyphenols and antioxidants.
• Keeps low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the harmful form of cholesterol, from sticking to artery walls. This means lower cholesterol levels.
• Assists weight loss
• Lowers risk of heart disease
• Helps with prevention of diabetes
• Reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer
• Induces thermogenesis and stimulates fat oxidation which in turn helps with weight loss management
• Raises metabolism
• Undergoes less processing than black tea
• Beneficial for the eyes, recommended for persons using the computer all day
• Fights viral and bacterial infections
• Applied topically, can prevent  or even reverse sun and age damage to the skin
• Contains protective compounds

Disadvantages of Green Tea:

• Although much less than coffee, it still contains caffeine which can cause insomnia, nausea and frequent urination (since it’s a diuretic).
• Large quantities of green tea can cause damage to the liver and kidneys.