Green tea, a source of antioxidants and caffeine, has several possible benefits. Research has found that the health benefits of green tea may include alleviating anxiety and stress, enhancing memory, and reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol.
There are several types of green tea, including beverages, dietary supplements, and even topical ointments.
1. Alleviates Anxiety and Stress
Tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which alleviates anxiety and stress, helping you relax. Green tea has one of the highest concentrations of L-theanine compared to black, oolong, and white tea.
Research has found that supplementing 200–400 milligrams of L-theanine daily helps reduce anxiety and stress. A study published in 2019 found that people who took 200 milligrams a day of L-theanine for four weeks had greater improvements in anxiety, depression, and sleep than those who took a placebo.
2. Helps Protect Against Cognitive Decline
Some evidence suggests that drinking green tea helps protect against certain neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Green tea has a high concentration of antioxidants, which may protect against cell damage that raises the risk of chronic illnesses.
Cognitive decline is one of the first noticeable symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Cognitive decline involves frequent, worsening instances of confusion and memory loss.
3. Helps Support Bone Health
Green tea may lower your risk of osteoporosis, a bone disease that increases the risk of hip, spine, and wrist fractures. Postmenopausal people have the highest risk of osteoporosis. Some evidence suggests that the high concentration of antioxidants in green tea may enhance bone formation and protection against bone mass loss.
4. Improves Longevity
Drinking green tea may help support living a healthy, long life. Green tea is a source of polyphenols, or plant compounds that act as antioxidants.
5. Lowers Cholesterol
A review published in 2020 found that consuming green tea helps lower LDL (“bad”) and total cholesterol. Nearly two in five adults in the United States have high cholesterol levels, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
6. May Enhance Memory
Research has found that the L-theanine content in green tea may improve memory. A study published in 2014 found that green tea extract improved working memory among 12 healthy volunteers.2
