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Green tea has been used for generations in Asia for its health benefits. Recently the entire world has been extolling about the benefits of green tea. It's a storehouse of benefits for the body and your skin. Various studies on benefits of green tea have raised it to the level of a superfood. The recent spurt in research in this beverage makes it all the more important that we start drinking  green tea or continue the practice.

Here are some benefits of green tea that you cannot overlook:

1. Green tea contains a nutrient called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG that has been found to prevent fat deposit in arteries. Regular consumption of green tea will prevent cholesterol buildup in arteries and helps to fight cardiovascular diseases.

2. Women who drink green tea will have lower risk of developing breast cancer. EGCG has been found to inhibit cancer cell metabolism in breast tumors. So it slows down breast cancer growth.

3. Green tea is loaded with anti-oxidants that kill free radicals. The potent antioxident has great potential to cure several diseases. Studies have revealed that free radicals are linked to chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes and cancer.

4. Green tea has been found to be effective in protecting skin against the UV damage caused by sun's rays.

5. Green tea also has utility in weight loss programmes. It's considered to be a great fat buster. The presence of EGCG in green tea speeds up the fat burning process in your body.  

6. Belly fat can be reduced effectively by drinking green tea regularly. The EGCG in green tea has been found to activate the abdomen's fat-burning gene that speeds up weight loss by nearly 77%.

7. Green tea helps to maintain stable energy levels in the body. EGCG preventing spikes or crashes in blood sugar that can cause fatigue, irritability and cravings for junk food.

8. Green tea may prevent premature skin aging. EGCG has been mound to be much more effective in destroying free-radicals that causes skin damage. Drink green tea regularly may reduce appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Green tea is an acquired taste. You may not like it the first time you sip this brew. Keep trying by adding other herbs or with a dash of lemon juice. You may experiment it hot or iced cold. But you will soon develop a taste for this refreshing beverage.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)