Friday, May 21, 2010

The Health Benefits of Green Tea


Green tea has long been a staple of Asian culture. The Chinese use green tea to treat various diseases and conditions, and they depend on it for long, healthy lives. So what exactly can green tea do for you? Read more to learn about this incredible beverage.

What is it?

Green tea is made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. It is picked, steamed, and then dried. Green tea is unique because it does not undergo the oxidation (or fermentation) process that black, white, and other teas undergo.

What makes it so good for you?

Green tea has powerful antioxidant properties due to the polyphenol chemicals it contains. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in particular, is responsible for the health benefits that green tea can offer.

Cancer Fighter

The EGCG in green tea is a known cancer fighter. It both prevents the growth of cancer cells and kills them off, without harming healthy cells. Scientists also found that EGCG shuts down one of the key molecules that tobacco relies upon to cause cancer.

Heart Helper

Green tea improves the flexibility of your blood cells, which prevents clogging and makes for a healthier heart. Green tea has also been found to prevent obesity, improve the ratio of good and bad cholesterol in your body, and help you burn more calories.

And Even More

In addition to fighting cancer, improving heart health, and preventing obesity, green tea is also suggested to prevent and reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce joint damage in sufferers of the disease. What’s more, it has been suggested that green tea can also boost the immune system and fight tooth decay. Talk about a wonder drink!

How Much Should I Drink?

Scientists still remain uncertain as to how much green tea needs to be consumed for someone to benefit from it. While some scientists say two is sufficient, others push three, four, or five glasses per day. It seems that when it comes to green tea, the more you can drink the better!

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