Kent Probst, BS, MEd
Kent Probst is the owner of Long Healthy Life Blog
Different Types of Green Tea: What You Should Know
Sencha
A Japanese variety, it’s one of the most popular and well known of the different types of green tea. The leaves are usually infused and steeped in hot water.
Fukamushi Sencha
Among the different types of green tea, fukamushi sencha takes longer to steam and contains more nutrients than regular sencha. Because of the longer steaming period, fukamushi has a richer taste than sencha.
Gyokura
By growing it in the shade for 20 days increases the levels of caffeine and the amino acid theanine. Gyokura tends to be more expensive than sencha as well as having a sweet flavor.
Kabusecha
This Japanese variety is grown with a covering for up to 25 days. Kabusecha is high in theanine and other amino acids that give it its distinct flavor.
Matcha
Popular at Japanese tea ceremonies, the tea leaves are ground into powder. Matcha is also used in soba noodles and green tea ice cream. Growing it in the shade slows the growing process and gives matcha a high chlorophyll content, making it a darker green.
Tencha
Growing it in the shade for three weeks gives it a bright green color. The stems are removed so that only the leaves are used to make the tea.
Genmaicha
Also known as brown rice green tea, genmaicha is green tea mixed with popped and roasted brown rice. Genmaicha has a yellow hue and a nutty flavor from the brown rice.
Hojicha
With very little bitterness, this green tea’s color changes to a golden color when served. Produced from the second harvest, the leaves look like brown needles and have a sweet nutty flavor.
Shincha
Made from the first harvest, shincha means “first tea” and has a sweet flavor. This Japanese green tea is difficult to find outside Japan because of the demand for it in Japan.
Ichibancha
It has a higher nutrient content since it comes from the first round of harvesting, as opposed to subsequent harvests.
Different Types of Green Tea: The Benefits
1. Improved Longevity
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a type of phytochemical, or catechin, that is concentrated in green tea. It helps promote longevity and slow the aging process from a cellular level by restoring mitochondrial function and helping the body remove damaged cells.
2. Breast Cancer Prevention
This powerful beverage is packed with antioxidants as well as a plant compound called catechins which has been shown to have anticancer effects.
Drinking between 1-4 cups daily may help with both prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
3. Prostate Cancer Prevention
The health benefits of green tea are frequently touted throughout the news media. One benefit that gets less attention is reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, green tea catechins (GTC) were effective at inhibiting cancer growth. After one year, prostate cancer was diagnosed in only one man in the GTC-treated group, whereas prostate cancer was found in nine men in the placebo-treated group.
Green tea has also been shown to reduce prostate-specific antigen in men with prostate cancer.
4. Improved Brain Function
A review of 21 studies found evidence of improved cognition, reduced anxiety and working memory from green tea consumption.
Researchers believe that l-theanine, a component of green tea, may be responsible for the beneficial effects.
L-theanine was also responsible for reduced tension and improved calmness and relaxation when participants were given 200 mg of the amino acid.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
People who regularly drink green tea have a 46% lower risk of developing hypertension than those who don’t drink it.
After 12 weeks, people with hypertension saw a 6.4% drop in blood pressure from consuming a green tea extract beverage.
6. Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol was reduced by a modest 4.8% among overweight women during a 6 week period when drinking green tea.
7. Neuroprotection
Numerous studies have shown that regular green tea consumption provides neuroprotective effects against cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s.
Summary
Many people ask: How much green tea should I drink everyday to get the benefits?
In a long term Japanese study, drinking 5 cups of green tea a day resulted in reduced mortality from multiple causes.
A meta-analysis found that drinking 3 cups of green tea daily resulted in a 29% decrease in the risk of cognitive disorders.
You can get EGCG by drinking green tea, but taking it as a supplement can help provide a larger and more consistent dose for more health benefits.
Whether you drink green tea or take a green tea extract supplement, the evidence is strong regarding the wide range of benefits green tea provides.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
