I once heard a woman tell her friend to take green tea after a meal.  At that time, I did not have the faintest idea why green tea comes off as highly recommended.  But I heard her insisting – until finally, her friend gave in and called for the waiter for a cup of green tea. So I wondered:  why green tea when majority of the people in the restaurant got water or coffee after a meal?

The Effects of Green Tea after a Meal

A recent study was conducted regarding the effects of drinking green tea after a meal. The results, published in the Nutrition Journal, indicates that taking green tea, which is a beverage that is rich in antioxidants, could enhance the feelings of satiety, or fullness.  Dr Julija Josic from Sweden’s Lund University led the research effort. Josic said that the overall feeling of satiety was heightened after a meal that was accompanied by consuming green tea as compared to a reference meal that was supplemented with water.

There was no significant difference on the levels of serum insulin between the reference meal and the green tea meal.  This was based on a 120-minute observation period conducted after the meal.  Dr. Josic and fellow researchers also did not observe significant differences in the levels of glucose.  The 120-minute glucose value was seen as higher after the green tea meal.  Also, there was no significant difference in the mean glycemic index among the reference meal and the green tea meal.

Furthermore, the subjects from the reference meal stated that they found it more enjoyable to eat an extra bite or an added mouthful of the same food.  Those from the green tea meal claimed otherwise, saying that they feel they have had enough to consume. The researchers said that the differences in the subjects’ perception of taste among control water drink and green tea may be responsible for the effects that promotes satiety.  This may have contributed to a feeling of stronger satiety after the green tea meal.

The researchers concluded that green tea extensively boosted the feelings of satiety and fullness when taken after a meal. However, the researchers did not find any evidence that may corroborate prior suggestions that green tea may play a part in the moderation of one’s glucose levels or insulin sensitivity.

The Link between Green Tea and Diabetes

Some research studies have suggested a possible association between a person’s risk for diabetes and the consumption of green tea.  These studies have reported that consuming green tea can possibly result to modest benefits for insulin sensitivity and glucose balance.

The authors claimed that intervention studies involving extracts of green tea given to healthy humans and rodents have shown increased sensitivity to insulin after the administration of an oral glucose tolerance test in in vitro studies.  However, several studies have also observed that green tea extracts did not have effect on glucose levels, insulin sensitivity or fasting glucose levels.

What is so special with Green Tea?

The beneficial health effects of green tea are mainly credited to its rich polyphenol compounds known as catechins – chemicals that boast of potent antioxidant properties that are said to be much higher than what vitamin C contains. Catechins found in green tea have been in the research spotlight for the longest time because of its potential role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

Four important catechins are found in green tea:  epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).  The most abundant, and the most studied, of all is the EGCG.

The three most common varieties of tea are oolong, black and green. The difference lies on how each is processed.  Green tea, as with the other tea varieties, comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.  However, the leaves used in making green tea are unfermented, and which have therefore undergone very minimal oxidation processes helping conserve EGCG which is said to be the most effective of all the catechins. On the other hand, black and oolong tea leaves undergo rigorous oxidation processes which results to the conversion of EGCG to other compounds which are not as potent.

The Numerous Health Benefits of Green Tea

Numerous studies have been conducted on the health benefits of green tea, and indeed, there are a plethora of benefits one may get from regular green tea consumption.  Because of the high levels of antioxidants that are contained in green tea, various illnesses are prevented, ranging from the simple cold and flu up to the dreaded cancer.

Here are some of the health benefits of green tea:

• Immune-booster

Research had shown that individuals who consume green tea on a regular basis are less prone to common viral and bacterial infections, and even if they do, therecovery period isshortened. The catechins prevent viruses and bacteria from attaching to the walls of the cells which, if not prevented, may cause infection.

• Anti-aging effects

Premature aging is brought about by free radicals that cause damage to cells. Since green tea is rich in antioxidants, it is very potent in neutralizing free radicals which are considered to be toxic to the body. The most common signs of premature aging include feeling out of breath most of the time because of reduced lung capacity; frequent falls because of poor balance; decreased quality of sleep; lack of flexibility; easy fatigability; and pain especially in joints.

• Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Research have shown that consuming green tea helps lower total cholesterol levels while raising the levels of the good cholesterol, or HDL, both in people and in animals. The results of a population-based clinical study revealed that men who consume green tea are expected to have lower levels of total cholesterol than men who do not drink green tea. Another study involving animals hinted that the polyphenols found in green tea can block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines and helps in its excretion.

• Anti-carcinogenic properties

Aside from causing premature aging, free radicals are also touted as being responsible for the development of various types of cancer. Because of the rich antioxidant properties of catechins found in green tea, it neutralizes free radicals thereby preventing carcinogens from forming.  This, in turn, greatly reduces the risk of cancer.

The most common types of cancer that may significantly benefit from green tea are Stomach cancer, Skin cancer, Prostate cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Lung cancer, Esophageal cancer, Colorectal cancer, Ovarian cancer, Breast cancer, and Bladder cancer.

• Weight Loss Effects

Clinical studies have suggested that extracts of green tea helps burn fat and boost metabolism. Again, the catechins, are responsible for these effects of green tea.

Sources:
drinkhealthydrinks.com
umm.edu
organicfacts.net
nutraingredients.com