Green Tea : Miracle Drink

Since ancient times, Chinese are using green tea as medicine to treat everything from simple headaches to depressiondefine. Today, many scientific researches have provided enough evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea.

There are three types of tea: green tea, black tea and oolong tea. They all come from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea is steamed to prevent oxidation and thus the leaves remain green. Oolong tea is fermented partially and black tea is fully fermented.

In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas showed that Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant found in green tea, is at least hundred times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E at protecting cells and DNA. This antioxidant has twice the benefits of resveratrol, found in red wine. Hence, this can explain why cardiovascular disease among Japanese men is is quite low, even though approximately 75% of them are smokers.

Green and black tea are rich in antioxidantsdefine which fight the development of cancerdefine cells and thus, the individuals who had been gulping down several cups of tea over years reap the benefits.

Research also points out that green tea can even help dieters. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999, published the findings of the study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. The study found that males who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Drinking a cup of green tea can help in preventing tooth decay and bad breath. An American study found out that chemicals in green tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions. Green tea is better at fighting viruses.

• Controlling high blood pressure:

Angiotensin II, which leads to high blood pressure is repressed by drinking green tea.

• Preventing the increase of cholesterol:

Catechin prevents the excessive buildup of blood cholesterol. Green tea lowers total cholesterol up to 11% for people with high cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol up to 16%.

• Green tea polyphenols and polysaccharides are effective in lowering blood sugar.

• Fighting cancer:

Many studies have shown that green tea catechins are effective at preventing cancer. A 2007 Chinese study found that regular green tea drinkers are 37% less likely to suffer from colorectal cancers. Drinking as many as two cups of green tea daily can ward off skin cancer.

Other cancers included are:

Breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancerdefine, brain cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, mesothelioma, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, melanoma, asbestos and more.

• Boost immune systemdefine:

Green tea contains high concentrations of polyphenols and flavenoids which in turn boosts the immune system.

• Prevent food poisoning:

Catechin, present n green tea kills bacteria which causes food poisoning and also kills the toxins produced by these bacterias.

• Slowing the aging process:

Green tea delays aging process due to its antioxidants. Green tea is rich in vitamin E, which works as antioxidant. Also, catechin in green tea is a very strong antioxidant.

• Calming effect on body and mind:

Drinking a cup of green tea calms both body and mind and many studies have shown that this calming effect is caused by the L- Theanine amino acid found in the leaves of green tea.

• Protects liver against toxins like alcohol and chemicals in cigarette smoke.

So, what are you waiting for. Start drinking green tea for a better and healthier life!