The Chinese have known about Green tea as a powerful
Medication for at least 4000 years. According to legend,
he tried it and found it invigorating. Green tea became
Part of the Chinese diet and lots of important health benefits
Were attributed to it. Now recent clinical studies in both
Asia and the west are providing a scientific foundation for the
Claim that drinking green tea has very significant health
benefits.
Green tea, like black tea is made from the leaves of this
plant Camellia sinensis. The difference between the three
Main types of tea is the way they are produced. Green
tea is unfermented tea meaning that the leaves used for
Green tea are steamed soon after been plucked in order to
prevent the oxidation of the leaves.
Remain green and the active compounds within the leaves
retain their qualities.
Made from fermented leaves and because of this have less
Thus green
Modern science has in recent times been able to
Demonstrate that green tea is beneficial to your health
And this is mainly due to the fact that tea contains high
Levels of antioxidants called polyphenols or flavonoids.
The antioxidant activity of tea has been compared to that
Of vegetables and fruit in a number of studies. 1 study
Concluded that consuming three cups of tea a day produced a
Similar quantity of antioxidants as eating six apples.
Antioxidants help your body fight against free radicals
Which cause damage to cells and tisuues in your body.
While all tea is healthy to drink, It’s green tea that
Contains the maximum level of flavonoids. Recent medical
Studies suggest green tea to be beneficial in several places
including the following:
-Digestive and respiratory health.
-Reduces high blood pressure
-Arthritis – anti-inflammatory effect.
-Oral hygiene – because of antibacterial properties.
-Skin conditions like acne
-Lowers blood sugar
Weight loss is another area that is attracting huge
attention. Recently published research in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that an extract from
Green tea may speed up fat oxidation. A study was conducted
Of ten healthy men over a period of 6 weeks. It was
Discovered that those men who were given green tea extract
Burned more calories each day compared to those who were not given
the extract. Much more study needs to be conducted in
this area but the signs are certainly very encouraging.
Anyone for tea!