Effective in preventing colds! Live a healthy life with catechin-rich green tea

Introduction

For Japanese people, green tea is deeply rooted in their lives, and drinking habits vary from person to person, from those who drink several cups every day to those who don't drink it at all.

Modern green tea can be enjoyed in many ways, such as by drinking it at the end of the day to relax, enjoying it with a meal, or simply purchasing bottled tea at a convenience store.

Green tea is something that is very familiar to us, but did you know that it may also be useful in preventing colds?

Numerous studies have suggested this possibility, and it has been found that the catechins contained in green tea in particular have the effect of suppressing the growth of viruses and bacteria.

Catechin's cold prevention effect

The key to green tea's cold prevention effect is a compound called catechin.

There are various types of catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have powerful antioxidant properties.

In addition to its antioxidant properties, catechin is also known to have antibacterial properties that suppress the growth of viruses and bacteria, as well as the effect of boosting the immune system.

In particular, catechin is expected to have a direct effect on preventing infection with the influenza virus.

Catechin is thought to prevent the spread of infection by inhibiting the virus from entering cells and suppressing its proliferation.

It also suppresses inflammation in the body and boosts the immune system, so it can be expected to have the effect of increasing overall resistance to infectious diseases such as colds and influenza.

Rich in Vitamin C, which boosts the immune system

The vitamin C contained in green tea also helps boost your immune system.

Vitamin C is expected to have the effect of increasing resistance to infectious diseases by activating the function of white blood cells and promoting antibody production.

Furthermore, green tea can be expected to have a relaxing effect. Since stress is one of the factors that weaken the immune system, drinking green tea, which has a relaxing effect, may indirectly help prevent colds.

Various studies have been conducted on the cold prevention effects of green tea, and results have shown that people who drink green tea regularly catch colds less frequently than those who do not.

Tips for taking green tea effectively

The higher the temperature of the water, the easier it is for catechin to dissolve.

The temperature at which sencha tea tastes good is usually around 70°C, but by brewing the tea at a higher temperature of 80°C or higher, you can consume more catechins more efficiently .

Tea leaves are harvested multiple times, starting in early May.

New tea has a high content of amino acids such as theanine and is characterized by its sweetness and umami taste, but the catechin content is closely correlated with the amount of sunlight during the growing period, and the second and subsequent harvests tend to have higher catechin content.

Therefore, choosing tea that is picked later, such as second or third harvest, will likely contain more catechins than first harvest.

Naturally, green tea that is steeped for a long time and brewed stronger will contain more catechins.

However, be careful not to drink too much strong tea, as the caffeine may interfere with your sleep.

summary

The catechin contained in green tea has strong antiviral and immune-boosting properties, and is an ingredient that can be expected to be effective in preventing colds.

However, green tea alone cannot completely prevent colds. It is important to take care of your overall health by eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising moderately.

Incorporating green tea into your daily life may help you live a healthier life.