Is green tea the healthiest beverage?

Green tea is undoubtedly considered as the healthiest beverage on the planet. It contains antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body.it is native to China and India. It has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally but has only recently gained popularity as a post-meal beverage in hopes of digestion, particularly in Asia. A recent report from Global Industry Analysts (GIA) projects the green tea market will grow by $8.1 billion globally by 2025. GIA predicts China, the world’s largest green tea producer, is likely to become the world’s largest consumer of green tea in bags. Package tea sales are expected to top $2.2 billion by 2025, a compound growth rate of 8.5%.

According to recent reports, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world after water. However, 78 percent of the tea consumed worldwide is black and only about 20 percent is green. Almost all types of tea are brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The type of tea depends on the level of oxidation of the leaves. Green tea is made from unoxidized leaves and is one of the less processed types of tea. It, therefore, contains the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols. Green tea is prepared by steaming and pan-frying these leaves and then drying them. Other teas such as black tea and oolong tea involve processes in which the leaves are fermented (black tea) or partially fermented (oolong tea). People commonly drink green tea as a beverage.

Green tea consumption in Pakistan

In Pakistan, until now nearly 13000 kg of green and black tea is being processed with tea plantation on 2.5 acres’ area in Baffa, Mansehra is achieved, furthermore, production of tea nursery plants of the 15000 selected cultivars is achieved. Green tea processed at the NTHRI on a small scale gave better response from the consumers in the market. The import and consumption of green tea in Pakistan is low as compared to black tea, which can be achieved within minimum period. A Pilot Green Tea Processing Plant procured from China with the Cooperation of Pakistan Science Foundation is also installed at National Tea & High Value Crops Research Institute (NTHRI) which can process 80 to 100 kg per day.

There are many different types of green tea that vary from region to region. How beneficial it is for human health can be judged from the fact that it has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine. It was used to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion, improve heart and mental health, and regulate body temperature. Recent studies have shown green tea can potentially have positive effects on everything from weight loss to liver disorders, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

It helps to prevent a range of ailments including cancer. More research is being carried out to prove many of the health claims surrounding green tea. One of the universally accepted benefit of drinking green tea is that is helps in lowering cholesterol levels. People is Asia drink tea because they support the popular belief that it helps in weight loss. Yes! Green tea may promote a small, non-significant weight loss in overweight and obese adults.

by:   Abeer Arshad 

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