Green tea is becoming more popular as a regular beverage because it is rich in several compounds that are beneficial to our health. It contains various minerals, volatile oils and vitamins. But it is the polyphenols in green tea, in particular a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that can provide most of green tea's health-promoting effects.

Studies have shown that drinking green tea regularly helps lower total cholesterol levels, promotes cardiovascular health, reduces risk of dental caries, stimulates the immune system, fights bacteria, as well as prevents and even inhibits certain types of cancer.

Read on to learn more about the great green teas' little known benefits:

1) Prevents early-onset diabetes: A compound called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) present in green tea could slow down or even prevent type 1 diabetes, a recent study carried out on mice at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta found. Type 1 diabetes or childhood-onset diabetes occurs when the pancreas are unable to produce the insulin that the body needs to control glucose levels.

2) Slows down Sjogren’s syndrome: Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease which attacks the saliva and tear-producing glands. This causes symptoms such as extreme dryness in the eyes and mouth. There is no known cure for the syndrome under conventional medicine. Green tea chemicals are found to be helpful in lowering the severity and slowing the progress of Sjogren’s syndrome.

3) Stops AIDS causing virus: Green tea chemicals bind to the CD4 immune cells preventing HIV from attaching to them. It could also destroy the lethal AIDS causing bacteria, a study by the researchers from University of Tokyo has found.

4) Fights tooth decay: Green can prevent help tooth decay as it has anti-microbial properties. It is also found useful in fighting germs that lead to dental plaques.

5) Beauty aid: Green tea is found to have abilities to protect the skin. No wonder it is increasingly becoming a key ingredient in cosmetic products too!