You’ve probably heard about the health benefits of green tea, but have you heard about the oral health benefits? Green tea is known to destroy Streptococcus mutans, the main type of bacteria that causes plaque, acids, and tooth decay. By killing S. mutans, green tea fights cavities at the source. In addition, green tea makes tooth enamel slick, which inhibits of bacteria from adhering to a tooth’s surface.

Just a few ounces of green tea can yield these amazing oral health benefits. One study showed that Japanese children who drank a cup of green tea after lunch had significantly fewer cavities than their peers.

Green tea even fights the bacteria that invade a tooth’s pulp.   This means that drinking green tea could save you from needing a root canal. Of 24 types of bacteria taken from a tooth’s infected root, 21 strains were inhibited or destroyed by green tea extract. Amazing!

Winter is the perfect time of year to add green tea to your menu because of the overall health benefits. The wonder-beverage has been shown to be useful against allergens, viruses, and inflammation. It’s also known to reduce the signs of aging and reduce the speed of cartilage deterioration. The list of positives goes on and on. Drink four cups of green tea each day, and you could reduce your risk of cancer. Your cholesterol could go down, as well. It’s good for weight loss and increases the body’s rate of calorie burning. Green tea drinkers show higher bone mineral density, and one study showed that in heart attack patients, green tea can reduce the risk of death by 44% over about 4 years. Wow!

This is a perfect gift for friends and loved ones.  Green tea is the gift that keeps on giving.