What Is Green Tea?

Green tea is made from the common tea leaf known as Camellia sinensis which is also used to make black tea. Camellia sinensis has been in use since 500,000 years. It is mainly cultivated in China and India. It was traditionally taken as a refreshing drink and has been consumed in China, India, Japan and Thailand. It is different from black tea because it isn't processed at all and the oxidation of the green tea is minimal. The leaf from the plant is picked and steamed or pan- dried immediately so that it can prevent oxidation or bacterial growth. The excess water is squeezed out by rolling with hand. In this way the flavor gets released. After that it is fired in driers and packed. Since the tea leaf is not allowed to oxidize the natural ingredients in the leaf are preserved. So it is much more beneficial than other teas. When it is brewed it turns the color into light green and so it is known as green tea. Scientists are discovering more and more health benefits of green tea. Like most leaves the main content of the tea leaf is water. Fresh leaves have about 80% of water and the rest of the components are catechin, caffeine and Theanine and aminoacids. Catechin is a water soluble polyphenol, It has six primary catechin compounds. catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). Apigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant found in the tea helps in protecting cells and DNA from damage. It is the most active component in green tea. It is helpful in controlling cancer cells, reducing the possibility of heart attacks and atherosclerosis. . It is also used as a weight loss product and enhances immune system. It also protects against Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diabetes, Liver disease etc. While green tea contains 30% to 40% polyphenols , black tea only contains only 3% to 10% polyphenols. There are different varieties of green tea depending on the area and the method of cultivation of the tea. It are brewed using water that is under the boiling point (about 80 - 90 °C), If the water is too hot the tea will turn bitter. Does green tea have caffeine? Like all teas Green tea also contains caffeine. An average cup (6 oz) of it contains approximately 30 milligrams of caffeine. Caffeine is a central nervous stimulant. Decaffeinated is also available, even though decaffeination doesn't result in the 100% removal of caffeine. Possible interactions with medicines are Adenosine , beta-lactam antibiotics, benzodiazepines, propranolol and metoprolol, blood thinning Medications like warfarin, chemotherapy medications, specifically doxorubicin and tamoxifen, anti-psychotic effects of the medication clozapine, ephedrine, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs. Oral contraceptives can prolong the amount of time caffeine stays in the body and may increase its stimulating effects, .With regard to Phenylpropanolamine it, reduces blood levels of lithium. Caffeine and cold medications or weight loss medications taken at the same time can cause increase in blood pressure and may also cause mania. Now there are green tea pills and green tea extracts are available which are claiming to be helpful in weight loss. Some people do not like the taste of green tea and so these pills and extract comes in handy.

About Author: Anita cherry is a health enthusiast who offers informative tips on different alternatives for health conditions. For more information visit What is Green tea?

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The Health Benefits of Green Tea

Many people now recognize that the quality of their diet has a direct impact on their health. Green tea has long had many health benefits associated with it and its curative properties have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

Recent studies presented at the American Association for Cancer Research have demonstrated the powerful cancer-fighting benefits of dark berries, green tea and olive leaves. Other studies have also suggested the tea's concentration of antioxidants such as EGCG help minimize the cell damage that can lead to cancer.

A study by Athens Medical School in Greece and published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention. measured the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the participants' blood vessels at 30, 90 and 120 minutes after consumption. (FMD is a widely used measure of blood vessel health.)
In this study, the participants' FMD improved by an average of 3.9 percent within 30 minutes of drinking green tea. It did not change at all in those who drank either the caffeine or hot water.

Green tea, black tea and oolong tea are all made with the leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and is reputed to contain the highest concentration of polyphenols, chemicals that act as powerful antioxidants.

The more the leaves are fermented, the lower the polyphenol content and the higher the caffeine content. Tea polyphenols are classified as catechins and green tea contains six primary catechin compounds: catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). EGCG is considered to be the most active component in green tea and is the best researched of all the green tea polyphenols.

A recent study conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota has demonstrated the benefits of green tea in adult sufferers of leukemia. EGCG (the key antioxidant in green tea) has been shown to kill cancer cells taken from leukaemia patients and put in a test tube.

Doctors at the clinic reported that four patients had started using green tea on their own last year, after hearing media reports about its health benefits. All four patients had CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia). In the months after they started drinking green tea or taking green tea extracts, three of them showed measurable improvements in their condition. The fourth patient who did not show an improvement in her cancer overall, still exhibited an increase in her white blood cell count.

In one case, a patient had been showing progressive swelling in her lymph nodes before she starting taking green tea capsules twice a day. Swelling of the lymph nodes is one of the characteristic symptoms of CLL. However, over the next year the patient's lymph nodes steadily reduced in size.

Other research has come up with an explanation for why regular green tea drinkers have a low incidence of gastric and oesophageal cancers. Researchers have found that EGCG, the anti-cancer compound in green tea, works in a similar way to the anti-cancer drug methotrexate. Both work by blocking the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, which is essential to the growth of tumour cells. However, the benefit of EGCG over methotrexate is that it has far fewer side effects.

The same study also showed that blocking the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme lowers folic acid levels. This side effect could explain the increased risk of birth defects and explains why some studies suggest green tea increases the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida.

However, in a study conducted at Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California in Oakland, researchers found that women who drank more than one half cup of caffeinated green tea every day doubled their odds of conceiving. Women seeking to conceive or who are already pregnant are advised to consult their medical practitioner about the risks associated with drinking green tea.

The author gave up drinking coffee several years ago and has been tasting and researching the benefits of green tea and herbal teas ever since. He writes about sciatica home treatment and natural lower back pain treatment

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Green Tea - The Miraculous Drink

Green tea is a beverage inherited from our ancient forefathers, one found to have many benefits. In fact, you could say green tea is a miraculous drink. Originating in ancient China, almost 4000 years ago, it is made, like many other Chinese teas, of the leaves from Camellia sinensis. But unlike other teas, green tea is manufactured differently and that is what retains its beneficial properties.

Today, because of its nutritional and healing powers, it is famous the world over. Herbalists suggest everyone drink at least two cups a day, or take it as an all natural supplement. The benefits are enormous. It is known to reduce cholesterol, help in the loss of weight, but best of all it reduces the chances of getting cancer, and eliminates cancer cells when they already exist.

Anti-Cancer Properties

Results of an epidemiology study made in 1994 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, show that drinking this tea reduces the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by almost 60%. The results also suggest that green tea ingredients hamper the growth of cancer cells.

It is rich in catechin polyphenols and specially (EGCG), a strong antioxidant. The antioxidants in green tea, eliminate free radicals that can damage DNA and this results in cancer growth. However, aside from being an anti-cancer nutrient, this tea can be beneficial in weight loss. It reduces the cholesterol levels, offers energy and calms the nerves. Additionally, green tea prevents tooth decay and kills bacteria.

Weight Loss Benefits

If someone wants to reduce his or her waist, adding green tea into the diet plan improves results. Recent research shows that this special tea extract increases the rate of the body's calorie burning activity and decreases the fat in the blood, cholesterol and controls appetite. Tea supporters claim that it burns body fat too and leads to enhanced muscle endurance. It is a natural energy booster and increases the metabolism.

Offers Hydrating Benefits

This tea offers hydration benefits too. Much like water does. It helps patients with diabetes control their sugar levels and it helps anyone stabilize glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar. Again the EGCG, powerful antioxidant, combats harmful toxins with free radicals thus slowing down the aging process and increasing longevity. Added to this, the Polyphenols and Flavonoids contained in the tea make the immune system stronger and more resistant to diseases.

Prevents Baldness

Ingredients also seem to have positive effect on those that undergo the frustration of baldness. Recent research shows recent that the anti-inflammatory properties in the tea can promote hair growth. The regular consumption of green tea increases the levels of sex Hormones too. SHBG regulates the hormones in the body by restraining the tissue and cells that use testosterone. Because Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is held responsible for hair loss, the tea reduces and restricts the production of DHT, thereby preventing further loss.

A Great Pick-Me-Up

If you are a night owl, workaholic or just need to stay energized for any particular reason, this beverage can help too. The properties are known to keep you alert. So whether school work, work or other things keep you awake, this is going to be your drink!

Caution

There is some evidence that suggests that consuming excessive volumes of this beverage may cause liver toxicity and oxidative stress. For this reason, this oriental tea is not suitable for those suffering with severe hypertension problems. In some people green tea is known to o cause heartburn and chest pain, but the risks are minimal. As with everything, excesses are not a good thing. Still, drinking green tea is quite healthy, but only if it is consumed in reasonable amount.

As Good As Resveratrol

Experts also believe that the tea is the solution to the French Paradox (the French have diets that are rich in fats, yet have a longer longevity due to the resveratrol and polyphenol contained in wine). It may be twice as powerful as resveratrol which explains why the Japanese have significantly low rates of heart disease.

Bottom Line

The secret of this ancient tea is the catechin polyphenols, especially the epigallocatechin gallate or (EGCG). This is a powerful anti-oxidant that inhibits the growth of cancer cells, but also kills those that are already growing. It is also effective at lowering LDL and inhibiting the formation of blood clots. The latter is important as thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) cases heart attacks and stroke.

What makes this different from other Chinese teas, is the way it is processed. The leaves are steamed which prevents the EGCG properties from being oxidized. By contrast, other teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant are fermented, so the ingredients are not as effective at fighting off disease.

While there is no significant proof that green tea is effective at helping weight loss many people do swear by it. At any rate, its other beneficial properties help reduce some of the negative symptoms of dieting (loss of energy, motivation, faintness and dizziness), allowing you to complete a diet successfully.

Green tea is one of the few miracle foods that can help with weight loss, while at the same time making you feel healthier. Sree is a health expert with more than 20 years of experience. Visit his website for more helpful weight loss tips

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