Sencha tea is packed with great health benefits such as the ability to reduce cancer risk, prevent chronic disease, lower blood pressure, balance cholesterol levels, aid in weight loss, protect the immune system, increase energy and stimulate cognitive activity.
There are very few side effects of drinking this tea, although some people have reported nausea and irritability, as well as anxiety, after consuming an unusually large amount of sencha tea, to learn more about the great benefits of sencha tea better let’s keep reading this guide.
This popular form of green tea makes up about 80% of the tea produced in Japan, a major tea-drinking nation.
Unlike matcha tea, which is made from a green tea powder, sencha tea is made from whole leaves, giving the tea several impressive health benefits and a delicious, relaxing taste.
The tea itself is yellow and is produced from the top buds and leaves of tea plants.
Green tea refers to a type of tea that is not treated or processed in any way, allowing it to retain the vast majority of its nutrients and active ingredients, leading to the many health benefits detailed below.
Health benefits of Sencha Tea
The health benefits of sencha-derived tea are largely due to the catechins, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folic acid, saponins, potassium, calcium, and phosphorous found within these nutrient-dense leaves.
1.- Cancer
Like most types of green tea, sencha tea is rich in antioxidants, which search for free radicals and help prevent oxidative stress in the body.
This is also great for cancer prevention, as free radicals can stimulate cell mutation and tumor growth.
A great deal of research has linked green tea to reduce the risk of cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
2.- Fat burning
Caffeinated drinks are very good at boosting metabolism, which can enhance passive fat burning in the body.
Sencha tea do not have as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but it does have more caffeine than most varieties of tea out there.
3.- Increased energy
The rich combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in this variety of green tea, along with a large amount of caffeine, makes it very effective as an energy booster.
If you want to increase productivity with a clear mind and a lower risk of caffeine drop, the benefit of sencha tea is a great option.
4.- High blood pressure
Studies have shown that despite having a significant amount of caffeine, the benefits of sencha tea can lower blood pressure and prevent excess stress on the heart.
This can be beneficial for people at high risk for atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular disease.
5.- Stimulates the mind
Sencha tea has long been considered a brain stimulant, and the antioxidants found in this tea are capable of stimulating neural pathways and preventing oxidative stress in the brain, resulting in plaque deposition.
This tea helps keep your mind sharp and focused, even as you age, and it lowers your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia.
6.- Reduce general cholesterol
In addition to reducing blood pressure, sencha tea is also capable of reducing cholesterol levels.
This can increase metabolism, stimulate weight loss, and protect you from several cardiovascular complications.
7.- Immune system
High levels of vitamin C and a large number of antioxidants make this tea a perfect defender of the immune system.
It can stimulate white blood cell production and prevent infection while speeding up healing if you suffer from common colds or the flu.
How to Make Sencha Tea
You can easily make your sencha tea at home, although you’ll have to search for the leaves first!
This tea is rarely found outside of Japan, but the leaves can be found in certain specialty import stores.
Ingredients:
• 2 teaspoons sencha leaves
• 2 cups of water (filtered)
Step 1: Add the leaves to a cup of tea. You can pack the leaves in a strainer, but in Japan, it is preferable to leave the leaves tilted loosely, which provides a richer flavor to the tea.
Step 2: Heat the water, but don’t bring it to a boil. If the water is too hot, it will make the resulting tea bitter.
Step 3: Pour the water over the tea leaves in the cup and let them steep for 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Let the tea cool for 1-2 minutes, and then enjoy!
Side effects of sencha tea
There are several possible side effects from drinking Sencha tea, including heart palpitations, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, headaches, anxiety, or irritability.
These side effects are primarily the result of the caffeine found in this variety of green tea, and generally, only occur if you drink too much of it.
There is less caffeine in green tea than in coffee, but it can still affect the body. There are some other side effects, but they rarely occur.
• Allergic Reaction: While allergies to green tea are rare, they do occur, with side effects such as difficulty breathing, throat swelling, skin irritation, and an upset stomach. If you’ve never tried green tea before, it may be wise to speak to an allergist first.
• Iron deficiency – Some of the antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds found in sencha tea can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients by the body, namely iron, which can lead to anemia and iron deficiency if you drink a large amount of this tea. Limiting your intake to 1-2 cups per day should help avoid this problem.
• Upset Stomach – Sencha tea is rich in tannins, and while these have antioxidant properties, they can cause stomach irritation, resulting in diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and bloating. This can be avoided by drinking sencha tea with food and limiting its consumption to no more than 2 cups per day.
• Pregnancy: In general, drinking caffeinated beverages during pregnancy is not recommended, although later in pregnancy, consuming small amounts of Sencha tea is appropriate, and the high antioxidant content will do a lot to keep you healthy.
As we have observed, beyond these negative characteristics, the benefits of sencha tea are excellent when it comes to potentiating the immune system of our body, not in vain, it is one of the most popular and famous beverages in the Asian continent, although lately it has gained ground in the American cone, be that as it may, the benefits of sencha tea are well recommended by the experts of natural medicine, and of course you cannot ignore all the properties that this interesting variation of green tea provides.