With the long, hot days of summer right around the corner, there is no better way to get through them than with a refreshing cold drink in hand. Delicious and filled with plenty of nutritional benefits, an iced green tea is the perfect hydrating drink for this summer.

1. It has caffeine.

Green tea, while not filled with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, has enough to give you that extra kick you need to start your day.

2. Metabolism boosts.

While it's not 100% proven, there have been multiple studies and tests with results indicating that green tea "increases fat burning and metabolic rates." These results vary from person to person, but do have some scientific evidence to back it up. The active ingredient that would assist in weight loss is known as ECGC. The caffeine content also aids in this by allowing parts of fat tissue to be used as energy.

3. Antioxidants.

Unfortunately, almost everyone knows someone or has had experience with someone who has had cancer. While it is no fool proof solution, the high levels of antioxidants have been discovered to possibly help lower the risk of cancer. Several type of cancers noted in these studies include breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer. "Green tea is known to aid healthy cells in all ages of growth."

4. Relaxation.

Yes, this point seems to contradict the first, but green tea has a natural chemical known as theanine in it which can produce a calming effect on the drinker. WebMD provides tips on how to make your next cup of tea before relaxing while sipping on it. Two of these include not making your green tea with boiling water because that destroys some of the healthy chemicals found in the tea and adding lemon to aid in your body's absorption of these chemicals.

5. Other health benefits.

While drinking green tea doesn't mean you will automatically become healthy and immune to all the bad diseases and illnesses of the world, its chemicals have been studied by scientists to discover their many health benefits. These include benefits to brain function, cholesterol, dental health, Type II Diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Besides tasting delicious, especially iced on a hot summer day, green tea has these many benefits to your health. That doesn't mean treating your body in an unhealthy manner, considering there is not enough research on the effects green tea has exactly yet. However, drinking some, if not daily at least a few days a week, in addition to taking care of your body, has some pretty sweet benefits.