Green Tea has long been valued in China for its contribution to good health. Popularity of Green tea in the United States continues to grow, showing that green tea is a natural source of antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect the body from accelerated aging and increased risk of diseases. Decades of research show that green tea inhibits the development of undesirable cell colonies, thus making it the healthiest tea available.
Green tea has higher contribution to health than other teas, because of the way it is dried. Green Tea is organically grown and the traditional drying technique used with Green Tea prevents the tea from the negative effects of fermentation. Green tea products come in potency levels. Some supplements contain low potencies of the active polyphenols, while others go as far as using un-standardized green tea leaf powder.
It has been proven that green tea is bursting with health benefits. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, which has been known to help prevent cancer, recover from the harmful cholesterol, and protect against damage caused by free radicals.
Medical Benefits:
Green tea has many medical benefits, and is known for prevention of the following diseases: Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease, Infection, and Impaired Immune Function.
Other Benefits:
Promotes weight loss- the leaves of green tea plants help raise metabolism in the body. By increasing the amount of calories burned in a 24-hour period, green tea promotes weight loss.
Prevent bad breath- an element found in green tea decreases the growth of odor-causing bacteria. It is said that drinking a cup or two of green tea may help maintain fresh breath.
Reduce smoking risks- cigarette smokers who drink up to six cups of green tea daily reduces their susceptibility to risks caused by the toxins emitted in cigarette smoke.
Beauty remedy- green tea may be used to freshen up the face and sooth tired or strained eyes. It can be applied to spots and blemishes to lessen their visibility. Antiseptic properties- Green tea is also known to treat minor cuts and rashes, and is an effective treatment for sunburn.
Green teas inhibit the expression of antigens made by the body, substances that can trigger an immune response.
National Cancer Institute reports that Green Tea has Cancer preventing abilities and Cancer fighting components add new life to the market. People who have relied on expensive anti-oxidant products are finding that Green Tea is very economical and all natural. Tea is one of the top selling consumable drinks, only toped by water.
Green Tea has had more zealous acceptance than nearly any other food product in the past twenty years. There are claims that substances contained in green tea inhibit cancer cells, improve cholesterol, reduce the appetite and strengthen the immune system. Not since the Vitamin C rage has another food product been treated as a must have. The following summarizes the more important claims; some backed by research, some not.
Research at the University of Purdue, concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. A report published in a 1994 Journal of the National Cancer Institute indicated that drinking green tea lowered the risk of esophageal cancer.
There are also studies that have concluded green tea lowers overall cholesterol levels and improves the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. Still other studies indicate that green tea is also reputed to be helpful with Cardiovascular disease, infection, impaired immune function, Rheumatoid arthritis.
Green Tea is rich in antioxidants, particularly catechin polyphenols. This powerful antioxidant has been shown by researchers at the University of Kansas to be twice as powerful as resveratrol, the compound that gives red wine its amazing heart protecting effects. To further support the claim, Japanese men have a low heart attack rate despite the fact that more than 70% smoke cigarettes.
The results of a study published by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed a green tea extract, when taken with caffeine can lead to an increased rate of calorie burning. Green Tea has bacteria fighting abilities that can helps in prevention of tooth decay and food poisoning.
There does not seem be a real consensus on how much green tea should be consumed. Some recommend as many as 10 (six to eight ounce) cups per day, while others suggest at least three cups.
There are few negatives effects caused by drinking green tea other than those caused by the caffeine that is present. A cup of green tea contains about 60% of the caffeine found in a cup of coffee. For those people who are sensitive to caffeine, green tea may cause insomnia or nervous irritability.
If you are unable to drink green tea during the day, a green tea extract will provide similar benefits. These can be found in most supermarkets.
Clearly, the research suggests there are significant health benefits to adding green tea as a component of your daily diet. If your fighting to lose weight and gain better health, a warm cup of green tea will hit the spot.
Do not use green tea without first talking to your doctor if you have heart problems or high blood pressure, kidney disease, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), an anxiety or nervous disorder, or a bleeding or blood clotting disorder or if you take a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).
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