If you opt for green tea only to digest a huge meal, you are in for a few surprises. Yes, originating in China, green tea has been used for thousands of years in Asia as a digestive but today, scientists believe that it is an extremely healthy drink. It may not taste as good as a cup of doodh patti, but the real reason why a lot of people are opting for green tea is because of its amazing benefits.

Why black tea apparently does not enjoy this exalted status is because it is processed in a way that allows for fermentation; a process that destroys the amount of anti-oxidants and poly-phenols which are the beneficial substances.

Weight Loss may happen because green tea increases metabolism. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories. Of course, there has to be sensible eating involved.

Next time you settle down for a tete-a-tete, make sure it is over a cup of green tea

Diabetes: Since green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating, it can prevent high insulin spikes that result in fat storage.

Heart disease: It is believed that green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against clot formation, which is the primary cause of heart attacks.

Cancer: Scientists believe that green tea helps kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them.

Cholesterol: It reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s: It is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells.

Tooth decay: Catechin, a chemical antioxidant in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions Blood pressure: Regular consumption of green tea may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Depression: Theanine, an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves is a substance that provides a relaxing and tranquilising effect.

Anti-viral and anti-bacterial: Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. Some studies show that green tea inhibits the spread of many diseases.

So, how much green tea should be consumed per day to be able to enjoy all the promised benefits? Well, you may need to drink two to five cups a day and make sure you are not sweetening your tea. Try fooling your taste-buds with flavoured green tea like mint, cardamom and lemon as it works well for those who don’t much like unsweetened tea.

Another thing to watch out for is caffeine in green tea — if you are sensitive to caffeine then one cup should be your limit. Green tea contains tannins which affect the absorption of iron and folic acid, so if you are pregnant or trying to conceive then green tea may not be the ideal drink for you. You can try mixing green tea with other healthy ingredients such as ginger for double benefits.

Some more uses of this magical tea:

Used, cooled green tea bags can reduce swelling and tighten the skin around the eyes by reducing the dilation of the blood vessels under the eyes.

Soak a washcloth in steeped, cooled tea. Wring the washcloth of excess liquid and use the rag to pat irritated or red skin.

The tannins found in green tea help stop bleeding by coagulating the blood. Steep a tea bag in hot water, remove it and then let it cool. Place the tea bag on top of the bleeding area or dip gauze into the tea water and apply to the gash.

For a smelly fridge, take a handful of green tea leaves in a thin cloth bag or cheese cloth and place in the fridge. The leaves will absorb the odour and render your fridge fragrance-free.

A thin cloth bag full of green tea leaves hung in a humid room or area of your house will absorb the moisture.

Take a handful of moist, but not wet, green tea leaves and scatter them across the carpet. The tea leaves attract dust, so vacuuming is twice as effective.

Soak your feet in a strong green tea brew to get rid of foot odours.

Soak tea leaves in water for a few days, remove the leaves, and then use the water to fertilise plants.

The antioxidants in green tea help us to prevent liver disease as well as to boost the overall health of our livers.

Dab green tea water that has cooled to your underarms is a cheap and effective way to battle the effects of heat and stress.

Green tea ice cream is surprisingly refreshing and delicious. Google the recipe and try making some at home.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, September 28th, 2014