Green Tea Health Benefits
74Green Tea - Why is it Healthy?
Green tea has taken on the western world by storm, partially due to its taste (less pungent than black tea, often with a light, naturally sweet taste) but primarily due to its reputed health benefits. Touted for its ability to help people lose weight (that will drum up buzz), green tea's benefits go far beyond its ability to increase the body's metabolism (which it does, even when it's decaffeinated).
Green tea has a high number of naturally occurring antioxidants called polyphenols. The most abundant polyphenols in tea are catechins, and in green tea, the most plentiful catechin is epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG for short. There are comparably low levels of EGCG in black and oolong teas, since the oxidation process that makes green tea black destroys it.
Did you know?
Green tea and black tea (and oolong and white tea, for that matter) come from the exact same plant: Camellia sinensis, commonly grown throughout East Asia (Japan, China, Korea and Vietnam) and India. The difference is that green and white tea are heated to destroy oxidizing enzymes before they are dried, while oolong and black tea are allowed to oxidize, which changes the color, smell, taste and chemical composition of the tea. It is believed that the oxidation that makes oolong and black tea destroy some of the catechins responsible for tea's health benefits (although there are other catechins and polyphenols in black tea that provide some health benefit).
What is EGCG?
EGCG is the most abundant and biologically active polyphenol in green tea. The other main polyphenols in green tea are catechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin--each of these has lower levels of antioxidant activity, and are incidentally present in black tea as well, but at considerably lower levels.
EGCG, however, due to its antioxidant performance and prevalence in the leaf, has been the focus of research into the health benefits of green tea. What research has been done on EGCG seems to be pretty promising:
- EGCG fights Alzheimer's Disease
EGCG prevents the buildup of brain plaques implicated in the disease.
- EGCG and weight loss
Rats injected with EGCG show loss of appetite and weight loss.
- EGCG and cancer
Green tea component prevents the growth of cancerous tumors.
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From what I've read, as long as the tea is truly "green" (i.e. shouldn't look or taste like black tea; should be a greenish, yellowish, or very light tan color), then it should have EGCG as the predominant catechin. Unlike the flavor components, EGCG is pretty difficult to destroy out of the leaf. You should, however, let it steep for at least 3 minutes. EGCG does not dissolve into solution as quickly as caffeine, and you shouldn't leave the healthy stuff in the bag before enjoying your cup.
OH, one more thing. Be sure not to drink tea scalding hot--in 2 studies, it was linked to higher rates of throat cancer. (Reasonably warm/hot tea is fine)
Snapple's natural line of Green Tea is awesome. I've practically become addicted to the stuff. The asain pear flavor is by far the best. I don't like hot tea, so I go this route.. the bottle says it contains EGCG. One thing I have noticed is that my appetite seems to have increased since I started drinking it.
Nice post.
Thanks, Jero. I haven't tried Snapple's line yet, but yes, they are advertising EGCG now. Ito En's bottled iced teas are really good, too, if they're available in your area. Don't know much about appetite stimulation, though. That could be from the sugar, though.
I love the Snapple line of teas.My favorite is Snapple's diet green tea.It taste so good.No after taste either,like some teas. It's the best.
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jstankevicz says:
2 years ago
I use Bigelow's Green Tea and their Earl Grey Green Tea bags. Do you suppose there are any EGCG and health benefits from this easy way out? Interesting Hub!