Brew a Cup of Green Tea for Health and Longevity

Help your heart, protect your skin and boost your immunity - the medicinal effects of this ancient herb make it one of nature's greatest promoters of health & longevity. Some would call it a "miracle drink" because of its healing properties and positive effects on the heart, liver, kidneys, skin and eyes. Others just enjoy its mild flavor and gentle pick-me-up effect. Whatever your reason for drinking it, there will come a time when you'll be glad you had that daily cup of green tea.

Why is green tea so healthy?

Once known as the "noble leaf" because only royalty could afford it, green tea is now touted as one of the healthiest beverages available to us "common folk." The active ingredients in green tea are the polyphenols called catechins, which are potent antioxidants. The oxidation process is a normal by-product of our metabolism that produces "free radicals," which damage the body's cells and, over time, its major organs. Antioxidants can slow down or prevent free radical damage because of their anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-carcinogenic properties. Inflammation especially is at the root of many major diseases, so the anti-inflammatory action of catechins can reduce the risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes.

What makes green tea "green"?

Green tea, oolong tea, and black tea all start out as the tea plant Camellia sinensis. The difference between them is in the way they are processed. After harvesting, the leaves of green tea are steamed or pan fired to stop the oxidation process, which would normally cause the leaves to degrade. Oolong and black teas are processed for a longer time and because of this longer fermentation their leaves undergo more oxidation, which alters their catechin content. Oolong and black teas still have medicinal properties, but they have lower levels of catechins than green teas.

What does the research say?

Recent research has shown positive effects of green tea on heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, dental cavities, and kidney disorders. Green tea can also detoxify the body and enhance immune function.

Some of the most promising research on green tea has to do with its effects on skin problems. The polyphenols in green tea, whether applied topically or orally, protect skin against the inflammation, immunosuppression, oxidative stress, and carcinogenic effects of UVB, or medium wave, radiation. The evidence for skin protection is so strong that some pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies are putting green tea extracts in their skin care products.

Brief History Archeological evidence suggests that tea has been around for almost 5000 years and was first cultivated in India and China. Chinese medical practitioners have known about the health benefits of green tea for millenia and most likely passed on this knowledge to foreign visitors. The tea seeds were brought to Japan in 1191 by Myoan Eisai, a Japanese Buddhist priest who wrote a book about green tea, called Kissa Yojoki (Book of Tea). In his book, Eisai explained the medicinal effects of green tea, especially on the heart, stomach and brain.

The varieties of green tea in Asia are too numerous to list, but a few of the more popular varieties include: Xi Hu Longjing, the most famous Chinese green tea; Longjing, or dragon well; Gunpowder, grown in China and Sri Lanka; Gyokuro, or Jade Dew; Sencha, the most common Japanese variety; and Bancha, another common variety.

How to make the perfect cup of green tea While Asian cultures have developed elaborate ceremonies around green tea, westerners can brew the beverage in just a few minutes. Green tea comes in either individual bags or loose. Use a stainless steel teapot, rather than aluminum, and heat fresh water (preferably filtered or bottled and always fresh, never reheated) just to the point that it begins to stir, but before it simmers. Remove the pot from the heat and add the teabag or, if using loose tea, 1 rounded teaspoon of tea per cup. Cover and steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on whether you prefer a light or a rich flavor. Do not judge its readiness by the color, because green tea may remain pale.

As an extra health boost, try adding some citrus juice to your green tea. The ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, in citrus fruits is known to increase the absorption of many nutrients, and recent studies have shown that adding citrus juice to green tea increases the body's ability to absorb catechins--those wonderful polyphenols that give green tea its remarkable medicinal properties.