10 Best & Healthiest Green Teas To Sip On In 2021

"Green tea is harvested later than white tea and doesn't go through the same oxidation process as oolong and black tea," says Will Cole, IFMCP, DNM, D.C., functional medicine practitioner and mbg functional nutrition instructor. "Like white tea, this enables some of the highest catechins, particularly the extremely useful compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)."

Studies suggest that EGCG may provide anti-inflammatory benefits, support brain function, promote healthy blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of heart disease.

The anti-inflammatory properties also have an impact on gut health. As a study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology writes, catechins have been shown to be effectively absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and can help alleviate GI challenges. In addition, the phytochemicals in green tea help feed the microbes that line the intestinal walls.

The integrative gastroenterologist and mbg collective member Marvin Singh, M.D., previously announced that green organic jasmine tea in particular is one of his preferred gut-friendly drinks. "It's a great anti-inflammatory, gut microbiome-friendly thing to include in your normal routine," he says.