Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green Tea Information and Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

Green Tea: How much should you drink and brewing instructions

Is any other food or drink reported to have as many health benefits as green tea? The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. In her book Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, Nadine Taylor states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. Historically, tea has been served as a part of various ceremonies, and has been used to stay alert during long meditations. A legend in India describes the story of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, who tore off his eyelids in frustration at his inability to stay awake during meditation while journeying through China. A tea plant is said to have sprouted from the spot where his eyelids fell, providing him with the ability to stay awake, meditate, and reach enlightenment. Turkish traders reportedly introduced tea to Western cultures in the 6th Century.Much of the initial evidence that green tea is anti-carcinogenic is based on epidemiological studies which show lower rates of many types of cancer among populations such as Japan and China that drink green tea as part of a daily cultural habit.How It Is UsedGreen tea is usually brewed and drunk as a beverage. Green tea extracts can be taken in capsules and are sometimes used in skin products.Green tea is a very popular drink in Japan. But some people drink more than others do. Women who drink five or more 3.4-ounce cups of green tea every day cut their risk of heart disease by 31% compared with women who drink one or fewer 3.4-ounce cups. Men who drink this much green tea cut their heart disease risk by 22%.Frequency:Consume as often as required. Ideally 8-10 cups of tea (or bout 1200ml.) per day would be ideal for good health and slowing the ageing process. A person should start his day by drinking 2-3 cups till breakfast.

The Miracle Effects of Green Tea

As green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. But the beverage green tea is a true tea that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. As green tea is popular in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Morocco, and the Middle East now it has become more widespread in the West, where traditionally black tea is consumed. Is any other food or drink reported to have as many health benefits as green tea?

The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times. Nadine Taylor wrote in her book green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. They use treat everything from headaches to depression.

Green tea has many benefits according to Japanese study people who drink at least a pint of green tea each day have a lower risk of death because it reduce the risk of heart disease.

Green tea's ability to fight cancer is even more potent and varied than scientists suspected. According to BBC that scientists already know that green tea contains anti-oxidants which may have a protective effect against cancer. But now they have discovered that chemicals in the tea also shut down a key molecule which can play a significant role in the development of cancer.

Scientific research in Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long connected with intake green tea. Like The Journal of the National Cancer Institute issue research that indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women about sixty percent. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Therefore green tea may helpful medical condition like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, infection, impaired immune function. Green tea contains EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) which is a powerful anti-oxidant. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol. EGCG acts in a way that it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue and inhibiting the development of cancer cells. EGCG act to lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots.

Some other benefits that green tea can even help stop tooth decay. Just as its bacteria destroying abilities can assist to prevent food poisoning, Green tea is believed to help boost metabolism, produce fat and calorie-burning effects, it mean it has also good choice for weight loss. Green tea can also kill the bacteria that cause dental plaque. In the same time green tea can be for use for preparations skin products from deodorants to creams.

The only side effect of green tea is that it contains caffeine which causes insomnia but green tea contains less caffeine as compare to coffee. Overall green tea is the best herbs give us so many benefits.

The Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green Tea has been in the news a lot recently. Modern scientific research continues to demonstrate that there are many health benefits associated with drinking green tea. However thousands of years ago the Chinese already knew that Green tea was a powerful medication that was good for one's health.

The origin of tea can be traced back to over 4000 years ago in China. According to Chinese legend the emperor Shen Nong, a scholar and medical expert discovered tea in 2737B.C. One day while he was boiling water under a tea tree, aleaf from the tree dropped into the water and Shen Nung decided to try the brew. The drink was found to be not only invigorating but also to be a rather powerful medication. The emporer immediatedly placed Green tea on his list of medicinal herbs.

The three main types of tea are green tea, oolong tea and black tea. All come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis.Herbal and fruit teas come from plants and fruits and arenot tea in the strictest sense of the word. The difference between green, oolong and black tea is due to the method bywhich the tea is produced. With black tea the Camelliasinensis leaves, after they are plucked are left out long enough for them to fully oxidize before being dried. Inthe case of oolong tea the leaves are only partially oxidized and dried, but in the production of green tea the leaves are steamed, rolled and dried before the oxidization process can begin. Thus with Green tea a more significant part of the nutritional and enzyme content of the leaf is left intact.

The benefits of Green tea to one's health has been increasingly demonstrated by modern scientific research. Many of these health benefits come from the fact that tea contains high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols or flavonoids. These compounds are most prevalent in green and white teas, but are also present in varying degrees in Oolongs and black teas. Green tea flavonoids show antioxidant activity. Antioxidants impair the ability of free radical cells to harm the molecules that make up our bodies. We all know that fruit and vegetables are good sources of antioxidants but recent scientific research haveshown that one or two cups of green tea has the same 'radical scavenging capacity' as five portions of fruit and vegetables. Of course we should all eat plenty of fruit and vegetables every day but why not top up our antioxidant intake by also drinking green tea every day!

Green tea offers many health benefits. Recent medicalstudies suggest green tea to be of benefit in many areasincluding the following:

Boost the immune system
Reducing levels of cholesterol
Reduces high blood pressure
Lowering of blood sugar
Digestive and respiratory health - tea is antibacterial
Oral hygiene - help to prevent tooth decay.
Acne and other skin conditions.
Arthritis - displays anti-inflammatory properties.

Another potential benefit is in the area of weight loss.Research recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that an extract from green teamay speed up fat oxidation. Ten healthy men in their 20'swere studied for 6 weeks and it was discovered that thosemen who were given a green tea extract used more caloriesin a day than those who did not. This appears to be due togreen tea having thermogenic properties thus causing thebody to burn fat faster than usual. One word of caution though - if you need to lose weight- and all you do isdrink green tea without making any other lifestyle changesthen do not expect an instant miracle! However green teacombined with a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise provides will help you in your weight loss program..

Anyone for green tea!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Lorraine Bevere owner of FOG Tea

Drink Chinese Green Tea for health

The Chinese and Japanese has been drinking green tea for thousands of years. Today, Western scientists has concluded that Green Tea possess health benefits for a longer and better life.

FACT#1

In 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophogal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.

FACT#2

University of Purdue researchers concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

FACT#1

Research also indicate that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

What are the scientific reasons behind Green Tea health effects?

Drink Chinese Green teaThe secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

The high antioxidant activity of green tea makes it beneficial for protecting the body from oxidative damage due to free radicals. Research shows that green tea may help the arterial wall by reducing lipids. Green tea can protect against experimentally induced DNA damage, and slow or halt the initiation and progression of undesirable cell colonies. Studies show evidence that green tea provides immunoprotective qualities, particularly in the case of patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. White blood cell count appear to be maintained more effectively in patients consuming green tea compared to non-supplemented patients.

Green tea is manufactured from fresh, unfermented tea leaves; the oxidation of catechins is minimal, and hence they are able to serve as antioxidants. Researchers believe that catechin is effective because it easily sticks to proteins, blocking bacteria from adhering to cell walls and disrupting their ability to destroy them. Viruses have ‘hooks’ on their surfaces and can attach to cell walls. The catechin in green tea prevents viruses from adhering and causing harm. Catechin reacts with toxins created by harmful bacteria (many of which belong to the protein family) and harmful metals such as lead, mercury, chrome, and cadmium.

Green tea is so health benefiting so much so that all Japanese restaurants make it a point to serve green tea at every meal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ken Cheong lived, worked and travelled in China for the last 7 years. He write articles and advisories on Chinese culture and Traditional Chinese Health products.

7 Health Benefits of Green Tea

Discover green tea -- an ancient drink with health benefits for you today.

Want to enhance your health in surprising ways? Drink green tea.

We're not talking about a new health discovery here. This beverage has been used for thousands of years by the Chinese. It has proved itself for centuries as worthy of beingincluded in our diet for its health properties. Not only has this drink been endorsed for ages, but modern science also has discovered astonishing facts about what it may be able to do for your health.

There are a lot more benefits to drinking green tea than are listedbelow, but here are seven:

1. Drink it to help shed extra pounds.

A study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in November, 1999, is encouraging. It shows that this drink may enable people to burn more calories.

2. This ancient brew may help combat signs of aging.

That's because it contains large amounts of vitamins E and C which are antioxidants. Antioxidants have the reputation of being able to combat free radicals that damage cells. Cancer, heart attacks and diabetes can result from damaged cell membranes.

In April, 1999, researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland revealed that green tea may ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

3. This drink may help asthma sufferers.

Because it contains theophylline (a muscle relaxant), it can help the muscles surrounding bronchial tubes to relax. This helps asthma sufferers to breathe with less restriction.

4. Green tea may help lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure makes you susceptible to heart attack and stroke. This ancient brew may also keep blood clots from forming.

5. Green tea has been reported to help in the fight against cancer.

Doctors from the prestigious Mayo Clinic found that green tea extract given to four leukemia patients seemed to help three of them experience regression of the disease. And even the fourth patient showed some improvement. The reason the doctors tried green tea extract is that a 2004 test tube study showed that leukemia cells were killed by the extract.

By the way, in Japan there are fewer reported cancer deaths. Could it be because the Japanese drink a lot of green tea?

6. Drinking this beverage my help lower cholesterol.

Lowering cholesterol with no side effects has been reported in studies using green tea. Your ability to fight heart disease and ward off stroke is tied in with your cholesterol count.

7. This brew may help your body fight infections.

The New York Times reported in April of 2003 that the immune system's ability to fight disease may be strengthened by drinking green tea. Microbiologist Milton Schiffenbauer, professor at Pace University (New York) stated, "Our research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that causes disease. If we can stimulate the immune system and at the same time we are destroying the organisms then it makes sense to drink more tea."

Now that you've learned 7 ways green tea has been shown to help your health, why not give it a place in your daily diet? It's not a magic cure, but this proven ancient beverage may just help you to be healthier.