New year resolutions to be healthier often donโt last past the end of January, but incorporating green tea into your life is an easy way to embrace good health for the whole of 2022.
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Green tea has nutritional benefits
There are a number of beneficial nutrients found within green tea including amino acids, fluoride and catechins which are important for a healthy body and mind.
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Green tea may decrease inflammation
According to a review in the 2011 Arthritis Research & Therapy, green tea has an anti-inflammatory benefit for osteoarthritis. Another study published in The Journal of Nutrition indicates green tea extract may be helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
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Green tea could lower blood sugar levels
People with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance whereby cells cannot effectively absorb glucose. A study published in the Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences in 2014 shows green tea may help reduce insulin resistance.
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Green tea may improve mental alertness
Green tea has a low content of caffeine but this is sufficient to cause mental alertness without resulting in excess anxiety and jitters.
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Green tea could protect the heart
According to Americaโs National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), green tea has cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering properties which can lead to better heart health.
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Green tea may reduce anxiety
A 2017 Phytomedicine review indicated that caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine, found in green tea, work together to lower anxiety and influence memory and attention.
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Green tea forms part of a healthy weight loss diet
Although green tea alone will not necessarily result in weight loss, the caffeine in green tea may suppress the appetite and speed up the calorie-burning process. Adding green tea to a healthy diet and exercise regime is a good idea.
Healthy Tetley Green Tea recipes to try in 2022
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Ingredients:
- ยฝ cup Tetley Pure Green tea (freeze in ice-cube moulds)
- ยฝ cup Tetley Mint Green tea chilled (no need to add sweeteners)
- 1 whole, fresh pineapple cut into cubes
- juice from half a lemon
- pinch of salt
- 1 green apple, cored and chopped into cubes
- 2 handfuls of baby spinach
Method:
Prepare the Tetley Pure Green tea and Mint Green tea by steeping 2 tea bags in hot water. Let it cool then chill the Tetley Mint Green tea in the fridge and freeze the Tetley Green tea into ice-cubes. In a blender jug, add all the ingredients and blend. Serve chilled as is or you may strain it if you wish. Add more water or sweeteners if you prefer.
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Ingredients:
- 2 large, free-range eggs
- ยพ cup coconut palm sugar
- ยฝ cup Greek yoghurt
- ยผ cup coconut milk (infused with Tetley Apple Green tea)
- โ cup coconut oil
- pinch of salt
- 1ยฝ cups almond flour
- ยฝ cup oats flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ยพ cup berries of choice (raspberries/blueberries)
Method:
Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Pre-heat oven to 180ยฐC. In a large mixing bowl, beat together eggs and coconut palm sugar using an electric beater on high speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Heat the coconut milk with 2 Tetley Apple Green tea bags on stovetop until itโs hot but not boiling. Let it steep until it cools to room temperature. Using a tea strainer, strain the tea-infused coconut milk into the egg mixture, pressing down on the tea bags. Add the Greek yoghurt along with the coconut oil and pinch of salt. Mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, mix almond flour, oats flour and baking powder until nicely incorporated. Gradually fold flour mixture into the egg mixture in 3 batches. Add lemon juice and zest as well and berries of choice, folding gently until well incorporated. Do not overmix or the muffins will end up dense.
Divide batter equally between cupcake liners using a trigger release ice-cream scoop (this is the easiest way to get equal portions). You may top the muffins with slivered almonds. Bake at 180ยฐC for 15 to 20 minutes until golden or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool to room temperature on a wired rack before serving.
Recipe & picture credits: @ataleofsauceandspice