Author: karenpijuan | Total views: 24 Comments: 0
Word Count: 729 Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 5:28 AM

Super Health Benefits of Green Tea

You have probably heard about the health benefits of drinking tea, especially green tea. Tea has been known around the world for thousands of years as the "longevity" beverage. Tea has been drunk in China since at least 3000 BCE. Tea is part of the Camellia Sinensis plant, and comes as black tea, which is fully oxidized, green tea, which is un-oxidized, and oolong, which is partially oxidized.

Green tea has been harvested as young, healthy, dark green leaves, and then is gently steamed, keeping its green color and potent phytonutrients intact. All tea, however, is rich in tannin, flavinols, polyphenols, and several vitamins: vitamin C, vitamin P, vitamin K and vitamin B. True tea does contain caffeine, but in lower amounts than it is found in coffee. It is well known to help banish fatigue, raise energy levels and boost mental powers.

Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have found that green tea is a great antioxidant scavenger, reducing free radicals in the body. Antioxidants seem to slow or prevent cell damage that occurs from exposure to excess oxygen by creating a barrier around cell tissue. Those who get lots of antioxidants in their diets seem to be able to slow down the aging process and avoid or at least put off the development of many chronic, degenerative diseases, like heart disease, cancer and diabetes*.

Moderate caffeine intake seems to promote good blood circulation, so if you have strong adrenal glands, the caffeine in tea in moderation might actually be good for you. Green tea has a lot less caffeine than black tea does. Even though it contains caffeine, tea seems to act as a nerve sedative, and can relieve headaches*. Tea also acts as a diuretic, and as such, can promote better kidney function*.

Researchers at the University of California have also found both oolong and green tea to help prevent arteriosclerosis, which leads to heart disease. Green tea has also been shown in many studies to prevent cancer, and to inhibit the development of pre-cancerous lesions as well.

The Camellia Sinensis plant is known to be antibacterial and antiviral*. So you can use your tea to apply directly to cuts and burns as well, including sunburns. And when drunk or taken as an extract, it seems to help boost your immune function*, probably because of its antimicrobial action.

Green tea is really a powerhouse of a beverage, and the polyphenols it contains have also been shown to support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels*. In addition, they have been shown to protect your DNA from damage that comes from chemicals and also radiation. This means that drinking green tea, and/or taking green tea extracts, can be very useful for all of us who are exposed to more and more chemicals in our modern-day world. If you live near a nuclear power plant, fly a lot (where you are exposed to high levels of cosmic rays), or are undergoing radiation therapy, you might want to consider adding green tea or a green tea extract to your diet.

Green tea extracts can be very powerful, as the antioxidants and polyphenols can be concentrated, without the caffeine. However, you want to make sure that you get a brand that conserves the polyphenols, as some green tea extracts don't actually have much of this most important part of the green tea in them. We recommend one with around 100 mg of polyphenols per serving. If you can find one that is nanized, or broken down into very small particles, you will be able to digest and absorb more of the nutrients even if your digestive system is in some way compromised, like many of ours are.

Last, but not least, green tea is well known for its thermogenic effect, meaning that it can help your body burn calories. One study showed that three 90 mg doses of green tea extract caused an additional 266 calories to be burned every day. So if you are trying to lose weight, adding green tea or a green tea extract may be just the ticket to help with your weight loss.*

* This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

About the Author

Karen Pijuan is the owner of several health-related websites and has written numerous articles about healthy living, whole food supplements, natural weight loss and more. Find out more by visiting EcoViva or The Truth About Vitamins.