If I ask you which nation do you think is the healthiest, what pops into your mind? Just asking your opinion, your version, not a contest, so googling isn’t required. If you ask me I would go out on a limb and say it has to be Japan, (I see your bopping heads). Still, if you want facts, then according to the global health list, Japan ranks # 4, against Spain the leader. However, I would like to point out that Japan has more population, and the difference is minor of 1.37%. And you can’t ignore that Japan has a few oldest people living to its name. So the list is correct, but my choice is Japan. What I am trying to accentuate here is that they are doing something right when it comes to health, and maybe we can take a point or two to better our own health.
Japan like India is also a tea-drinking country, and their current favorite and has been is Sencha tea. Sencha is green tea it’s made with entire leaves from the camellia Sinensis plant. This is produced from the first flush (first harvest) and is cultivated in direct sunlight, made from the top younger shoots (the best quality infused with the nutrients). This requires the least amount of processing which is the reason why it has many benefits accredited to its name. They are steamed for about a minute and then dried and rolled. There are various types of Sencha, key among them are Sincha (the first flush), Gyokuro & Kabusecha (grown in shade), Asamushi (lightly steamed), Fukamushi (deeply steamed).
When made, the tea appears greenish-yellow in color and generally has a bittersweet taste. It is rich in anti-oxidants, folic acid, phosphorus, beta-carotene, etc. Thanks to the aforementioned composition, drinking this tea results in the following benefits:
- Thanks to the anti-oxidants in it, it reduces in controlling the free radicals (oxidative stress) which contributes to cancer-causing agents. In short, it has anti-cancer properties
- It boosts metabolism and hence aids weight loss too
- It lowers blood pressure and can help reduce bad cholesterol. Hence it’s heart-healthy too
- Another wonderful thing about this is that it’s good for your brain, it stimulates your neural pathways, which leads to your brain staying focused sharp, and reduces the risk of cognitive diseases as you age.
- Thanks to its blend of nutrients it helps to improve the immune system, and not just that it also keeps you energetic. Yup, it’s known as an energy booster too.
- And all this talk of anti-oxidants, vitamin C (did I not say that, yup included in the etc.) means good beautiful skin, haven’t you ever wondered how they look the way they do.
Now all this may seem not a whole level up, but in reality, it is, these minor benefits can go a long way in providing major life-changing outcomes. And who knows the next oldest person on earth may turn out to be you.