While I’m still a staunch morning coffee drinker, years ago, I started swapping my afternoon java for tea. Why? It’s teeming with benefits (hello, antioxidants) and is much milder in the caffeine department. Tack on its rich, complex flavor—and what’s not to love about green tea? “Look at all the cultures that live the longest. They’re drinking a variety of tea throughout the day,” functional nutritionist Deanna Minich, Ph.D., IFMCP, shared on the mindbodygreen podcast. And green tea is certainly part of that longevity-supporting lineup. “Green tea is harvested later than white tea and does not go through the same oxidation process that oolong and black tea go through,” says Will Cole, IFMCP, DNM, D.C., a functional medicine practitioner, and mbg functional nutrition training instructor. “Like white tea, this allows for some of the highest levels of catechins1, specifically the ultra-beneficial compound epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG).” The anti-inflammatory properties translate to gut health, as well. As a study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology writes, catechins have been shown to effectively absorb into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract4 and may help mitigate GI challenges. What’s more, the polyphenols in green tea have been shown to improve the Bifidobacterium to Enterobacteriacea ratio5 in the gut, resulting in a significant improvement in colon health. Integrative gastroenterologist and mbg Collective member Marvin Singh, M.D., previously shared that organic jasmine green tea, in particular, is one of his favorite gut-friendly beverages. “It’s a great anti-inflammatory, gut-microbiome-friendly thing to include in your regular routine,” he says. While there are a number of green tea sachets and loose-leaf options to choose from, these are the 10 we love the most at mbg. For each pick, we were mindful of ingredient quality, sourcing, sustainability, and, of course, flavor.
The curated selection of high-quality green teas above is a great place to start—and they’re sure to satisfy any particular need or palate.
