What are the Benefits of Sencha Green Tea?

Sencha green tea comes from the Kyoto region of Japan. It is made from small leaves and has a more refined taste than others forms of green tea. Additionally, the color of the tea is actually green, not yellow, like many Chinese varieties. Sencha is said to have a bittersweet taste that goes well with both seafood and chocolate. The health benefits associated with sencha green tea are the same as those attributed to other forms of green tea.

Oral Health

• Green tea is a natural source of flouride. Therefore, drinking it helps prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. Green tea also reduces plaque formation and bacterial infections of the mouth. If you find yourself stuck without toothpaste or a toothbrush, drinking green tea is the next best thing. Drinking green tea can also freshen your breath.

Increased Immunity

• Green tea is an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agent with powerful anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants correct the damage caused by excess free radicals produced during oxidation. Common anti-oxidants are vitamin C and vitamin E. However, the antioxidant levels of green tea are a hundred times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E in protecting your immunity. The most potent anti-oxidants in green tea are called catechins. While catechins are also present in black tea, the effects are more notable in green tea, which contains a higher quantity of catechins. According to nutritionist Armando Gutierrez, green tea is also an excellent source of L-Theanine, an essential amino acid usually found in green vegetables (see Resources).

Disease Prevention

• Green tea also has the ability to lower total cholesterol and high blood pressure. These features make green tea excellent at preventing cardiovascular disease. Green tea is also used to stabilize blood sugar levels in diabetics, clear skin affected by acne, and treat and prevent cancer. The medical journal Leukemia Research reports that a team of Mayo Clinic College of Medicine investigators, headed by hematologist Tait Shanafelt, M.D., discovered four cases in which green tea caused major improvement in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (see Resources).

Mental Health

• In keeping with ancient traditions, green tea can be easily incorporated into yoga or other meditational practices known to calm and clarify the mind. It's also a mild stimulant that may help you focus without producing hyperactivity, trouble sleeping, or anxiety. In addition to relaxing with a cup of green tea, pouring the sencha leaves into a sachet and hanging that below hot running water from your tub or shower head makes for a peaceful bath.

Household Uses

• Green tea has multiple household uses. It can be used in cooking and cleaning. It freshens a litter box, and it may be used to water plants.