The Surprising Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea, made from the
dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, has been used in China for more
than 5,000 years. Western medicine is just now discovering the value of green
tea for disease prevention.
Why Green Tea?
Technically, all teas come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). The main varieties of tea (black tea, oolong tea, white tea and green tea) are made by processing the tea leaves in different ways . Green teas are the least processed teas. The lack of processing preserves the health promoting antioxidants in the tea. Other teas have the same health benefits – but the benefits are diluted in processing.
Why Green Tea?
Technically, all teas come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). The main varieties of tea (black tea, oolong tea, white tea and green tea) are made by processing the tea leaves in different ways . Green teas are the least processed teas. The lack of processing preserves the health promoting antioxidants in the tea. Other teas have the same health benefits – but the benefits are diluted in processing.
Does Green Tea Really Prevent Cancer?
Initial studies on whether or not drinking tea can reduce the risk of cancer are very promising. Growth in cancer cells is slowed by an antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is in green tea. . EGCG specifically targets cancer cells that contain a protein known as laminin receptor.
According to numerous studies, EGCG an help prevent breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. According to the research, by drinking just 2 to 3 cups a day of green tea, you can significantly reduce your chance of getting cancer.
Green Tea and Inflammation
Green tea also helps alleviate painful inflammation. Inflammation is often the cause of bowel problems, skin problems and arthritis. The inflammation around the joints caused by arthritis can cause severe pain and immobility. Adding green tea to your diet can help reduce the pain by alleviating the inflammation.
Green Tea and Your Heart
The positive effect of green tea on the heart has been heavily researched. An eleven-year long Japanese study involving 40,000 people showed that drinking green tea significantly reduces a person's risk of ting from heart disease.
The study participants who drank 5 cups of green tea a day had a significantly lower risk of heart disease than those who drank only one cup a day. Researchers believe that green tea's antioxidants, which lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels also provide cardiovascular benefits.
Improving Your Health With Green Tea
The best way to realize the many health benefits of green tea is to start drinking it. For those who are turned off by the traditional somewhat grassy taste of green tea, there are many blends and flavors of green tea available online. You can also use green tea in hundreds of recipes. Failing that, there are green tea extract supplements available – but getting your antioxidants from the tea itself is preferable.
It doesn't matter how you get your green tea, but that you start incorporating it into your diet for a longer and healthier life.
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