May 28, 2007

The Benefits Of Green Tea

Tip! Lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol (known as LDL) and improves the ratio of ‘good’ cholesterol (known as HDL). It explains why tea-drinkers can eat almost twice the foods containing cholesterol as those who don’t drink green tea, but still have an equal cholesterol count.

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.

Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, 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 oesophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

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. To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

Tip! Infection: Green tea’s anti-bacterial properties mean that it can also be used to fight infections and to prevent food poisoning. Skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.

1) cancer
2) rheumatoid arthritis
3) high cholesterol levels
4) cardiovascular disease
5) infection
6) impaired immune function

What makes green tea so special? The 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. Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the “French Paradox.” For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low.

Tip! Tooth Decay: Green tea kills the bacteria that causes dental plaque, thus helping to prevent tooth decay.

Other Benefits New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. In November 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo. Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacterium that causes dental plaque.

Last is that Green Teas are better in its original form and not altered and industrialized as to be sold in Tea bags. Recent studies have shown that the “commercial tea bag” contains less then 10% of its original properties.

Tip! Cholesterol: Some research indicates that drinking green tea can lower your overall cholesterol levels. It improves the ratio of HDL cholesterol (that’s the good kind) to LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).

Ensure to drink it in its pure form, naturally and fresh.

Jo Borshell, http://www.in-nature.com

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May 10, 2007

The Benefits of Green Tea

Tip! Let the tea steep for between four and five minutes. If using green tea three minutes is best.

It is a miracle. People have been drinking green tea as treatment for everything from weight loss to curing cancer to skin problems.

In the 1994 edition of the Journal of National Cancer Institute, the results of an epidemiological study showed that one of the health benefits of drinking green tea is that it can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by up to 60%.

The rich presence of catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the reason why green tea has so many health benefits. A powerful antioxidant, EGCG can not only inhibit the growth of cancer cells but can also destroy them without harming healthy cells.

Tip! Possess antibacterial and antiviral properties. Recent studies show that green tea inhibits the spread of disease, speeds up recovery from cold and flu.

Also another benefit of green tea is its ability to lower down cholesterol levels and improve the ratio between good (HDL) cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol. This is a leading cause of strokes and heart attacks.

Green tea has greater health benefits compared to other Chinese teas like oolong and black tea, which come from the plant Camellia sinensis. What makes green tea different is the process by which it is made. Green tea owes much of its health benefits to how the Camellia sinensis leaves are steamed. The process stops the EGCG health benefit of green tea from oxidizing.

Drinking green tea can allow more calories to be burnt which will result in weight loss. This was proven in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999, men who take both caffeine and green tea burn down more calories than men who only take caffeine or a placebo. Many People have embarked on green tea dieting with great success and benefit.

Tip! Cholesterol: Some research indicates that drinking green tea can lower your overall cholesterol levels. It improves the ratio of HDL cholesterol (that’s the good kind) to LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).

Another health benefit of green tea is its bacteria-destroying properties. The benefit of green tea is that it can help prevent food poisoning and also prevent tooth decay.

Well known for its countless health benefits such weight loss and curing cancer, green tea is a miracle.

For more info about the benefits and dangers of green tea go to
http://benefitofgreentea.blogspot.com.
Benefits of Green Tea WebSite

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