Immunity has paramount importance in our lives, in today’s times as we are dealing with Covid-19 and various other microbial ailments. It is our immune system that protects us from diseases. Immunity is that perfectly balanced state of the body that offers resistance towards various diseases and infections.
You need to fortify your diet with immunity-boosting food and healing drinks. One such powerful immune booster is your favorite super drink. Yes, Green tea, the low-calorie drink replete with antioxidants, boosts your body’s natural defense against disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
In addition to giving us an instant and effective immune boost, green tea offers numerous other benefits such as weight loss, skin nourishment, warding off acne, improved brain function, regulation of blood sugar, protection against cancer, and augmented life expectancy.
Now, the question arises, as to why is green tea such a powerful immune booster. What are the ingredients present in green tea that help combat various diseases?
The origin of green tea dates back to nearly 5000 years and it has been used in the preparation of various medicines for ages in Japan, China, and India. Both the leaves and tea can be used in several ways. Either you can sip in a teacup or consume in whole in the form of matcha powder. Different concoctions can be prepared from green tea. Multiple benefits can be reaped by mixing in various spices.
The salubrious beverage that is derived from Camellia sinensis shrub is the most consumed in the world. Green tea is less processed than other teas and is not that oxidized.
Magic ingredients in Green Tea
The antioxidant properties of green tea are responsible for warding off various ailments. Our body can produce its antioxidants endogenously, on its own, but they are not very effective in dealing with free radicals (waste substances resulting from oxidative stress). Oxidative stress can lead to many diseases such as cancer, arthritis, stroke, heart diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and respiratory diseases. Since our body cannot deal with the free radicals, we are exposed to all these kinds of diseases. On account of that, we need external sources of antioxidants and green tea is a good source of that.
Compared to other kinds of tea, Green tea has the highest concentration of powerful disease-fighting antioxidants, popularly called polyphenols. This is because green tea is the least processed type of tea. Fresh leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis are steamed rapidly to inactivate enzymes and also to prevent fermentation and oxidation of essential compounds. Polyphenols in green tea are also called flavanols or catechins, of which EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is the most active and well known. Other catechins include epicatechin, -epigallocatechin, and -epicatechin-3-gallate. These flavanols facilitate the immune-boosting properties of green tea.
Green tea has been long known to have antiviral properties, and it can change the structure of the virus itself, as a result of which, the ability of the virus to cause infection is subdued. It detoxifies our system.
When the polyphenols act on our immune system and affect the number of t-cells, which are a part of our immune system, our immune function is improved.
EGCG has the potential to reduce inflammation and enhance immunity. It can alter the activity of certain specific proteins, which can prevent the flu virus from replicating. It links to the cell membrane of the flu virus and binds to a glycoprotein called hemagglutinin, which inhibits the virus from damaging other cells. Thus green tea is a powerful agent to fight flu and helps in faster recovery.
According to recent studies, green tea is also believed to restrict the neuraminidase enzyme, which slows down the spread of viruses from cell to cell.
Green tea also consists of nutrients like L-Theanine and other alkaloids like theobromine and theophylline, which boost metabolism and improve brain function. L-Theanine has been found to increase immune responses. A type of white blood cell called a gamma-delta-T lymphocyte is activated and produced by L-Theanine, which is a rapid-acting immune cell that expansively attacks pathogens like the flu virus. Interferon-gamma, a vital cytokine, with potent antimicrobial properties is also produced by L-Theanine.
Green tea, thus directly triggers the action of the immune system and deactivates viruses, offering unmatched protection against various kinds of illnesses.
Kerala Spices, the first online spices store of its kind, sells green tea in the form of green tea leaves, green tea bags, premium green tea, and green tea boxes. Boost your immune system with this amazing beverage. You can also shop for Munnar tea online from Kerala Spices, which is highly refreshing and keeps you rejuvenated throughout the day. Visit us and get the best, authentic, and quality products at affordable rates.
