The Health Benefits Of Green Tea

Green Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea, Whats The Difference?

Green tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant which also gives us Black tea and Oolong tea. The difference in taste between Green, Black and Oolong tea lies in the way they are individually processed. Green tea leaves are steamed soon after been plucked which preserves the active substances within the leaves. Black and Oolong tea ubdergoe a fermentation process that alters its flavour and colour while raising caffeine and tannin levels. Green tea is unfermented, Oolong tea is partially fermented and Black tea is fully fermented.

The Health Benefits Of Green Tea

The Chinese have known about the health and medicinal benefits of green tea for at least 4000 years. Today, clinical research institutions all over the world are providing hard evidence that green tea is indeed packed with health and beauty benefits. Some researchers believe that the benefits of a green tea brew are so remarkable that it holds the key to a longer and healthier life.

Green Tea And Weight Loss

Green tea is known to increases the basal metabolic rate (BMR); the minimum calorific requirement for the basic functions of breathing, pumping blood, maintaining body temperature and digestion. This increase is referred to as a the thermogenic effect and assists weight loss by burning more calories during day-to-day life.

New research from China has found that regular consumption of green tea - which is rich in naturally-occurring tea actives called catechins - can significantly and positively effect body composition in moderately overweight individuals. Source: Medical News Today.

Green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se. The green tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation, or both.” Source: American Society for Clinical Nutrition

Even though the evidence is stacking up that supports the health and weight loss benefits of green tea, you should not expect the pounds to simply melt away, rather, think of green tea as a complement to a well balanced diet and exercise regime.

Green Tea Prevents Food Poisoning

It’s known that Catechin found in green tea has the ability to kill bacteria including those that cause food poisoning. Research has shown that green tea is effective against the most virulent bacteria including those that cause salmonella. Consumption of strong green tea, for example, is often recommended as a good treatment for diarrhoea.

Read more about Green Tea: A Cure And Prevention For Food Poisoning

Gree Tea Might Reduce The Risk Of Cancer

People also use green tea to reduce the risk of getting cancer and to treat existing symptoms when conventional treatment no longer offers a possible cure. Evidence is emerging from early studies of green tea suggesting it may lower the risk of some cancers. But for the time being the evidence is not strong enough to know this for certain.

Green Tea And Good Oral Hygiene

Green Tea polyphenols inhibit the formation of plaque by cariogenic bacteria and also kills the bacteria themselves. Catechins kills other bacteria that cause bad breath (halitosis). Green tea also contains natural fluorine which strengthens tooth enamel helps prevent cavities. When used as a mouth wash green tea effectively reduces plaque formation.

Green Tea Helps Control Cholesterol

Cholesterol is fatty, waxy substance produced by the liver that builds cell membranes, insulates nerve fibers, creates hormones and makes vitamin D. Cholesterol is absolutely vital to life! So why is everybody so worried about their cholesterol levels?

Although the body requires cholesterol, high levels of 'bad cholesterol' and low levels of 'good cholesterol' can lead to heart disease or stroke. Research shows that green tea lowers bad cholesterol and raises HDL (good cholesterol) in both animals and people-

Green Tea Helps Control High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is a very common ailment which affects around 20 percent of us and is one of the most common causes of heart disease and stroke. Research has shown that drinking green tea releases Catechin which suppresses the production of angiotensin II into the body which leads to high blood pressure.

Green tea is also considered useful at lowering blood sugar levels and slowing the aging process and many other medical maladies. Although I have no formal medical training I would personally like to add that after 6 weeks of switching from Coffee to Green tea and eating a more sensible diet rich in fruit and vegetables, I have never felt better and I am seeing a steady loss in weight.

Green Tea Helps Protect Against Glaucoma And Other Eye Diseases

There is evidence emerging that catechins found in green tea may offer protect against glaucoma and other eye diseases Research carried out at the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Eye Hospital confirms that catechins passed from the gastrointestinal tract are absorbed in the lens, retina and other eye tissue.

Green Tea Is An Effective Herbal Acne Treatment

Studies have shown that green tea to be effective treatment for acne. Green tea offers a herbal alternative to over the counter remedies that is just as effective and causes little irritation to the skin. Green tea helps reduce inflammation by limiting overactive hormonal activity and promotes detoxification which is major factor in acne breakouts.