Health
Benefits of Green Tea
Originally
cultivated in East Asia, Green tea has played a role in traditional medicine
for more than 4,000 years in Indian and Chinese cultures. Due to scientific and
population based studies, the importance of drinking Green tea is making a
popular appearance in the Western world.
Green
tea is made from the same plant as black tea, camellia sinesis, but what makes
green tea different is that it undergoes less processing compared to black tea.
Green tea leaves are plucked and briefly steamed making the leaves soft and
pliable; the leaves are then set out and dried with hot air. Steaming the green
leaves prevents oxidation that happens during the processing of black tea.
Oxidation refers to the fermenting or browning of the leaves, just like a cut
apple that begins to turn brown after it sits for a while. The oxidation process in black tea takes up
to three hours, but for green tea, the short method of steaming or pan frying
prevents the leaves from fermenting and changing color. Naturally, since green
tea does not oxidize, it contains beneficial health components and a higher
concentration of antioxidants. The antioxidants in green tea help fight free
radicals, which are compounds that change, damage, or even kill the cell structure.
Free radicals can cause early aging, illness, or disease.
Listed
below are some of the many health benefits of green tea found in The Natural
Medicine Comprehensive Database:
·
Keeps
arteries healthy, helps fight high cholesterol, and an aid in preventing heart
attacks
·
Holds
antibacterial properties to fight foreign intruders of the body
·
Reduces
redness and inflammations of the skin associated with acne
·
Found
to improve bone health and prevents tooth decay
·
High
in Vitamin C and boosts the immune system
·
Known
to reduce the risks for skin, lung, ovarian, prostate, and colon cancer
·
Used
topically to soothe sunburned skin
·
Works
as an appetite suppressant
·
Boosts
metabolic rate resulting in weight loss
·
Contains
anti-aging properties by reactivating skin cells that were almost at the end of
their life cycle
Green
tea is not a miracle drink, but numerous studies have given evidence of the
many benefits of drinking green tea. Teaming this drink with a healthy diet and
regular exercise routine may produce greater results. In tea drinking cultures,
the recommended amount is 3 or 4 small cups a day.
Compared to black tea, some claim green tea
has a bitter flavor; however, adding lemon, raw honey, pure maple syrup, or
stevia can naturally sweeten and give a better taste.
Freshly
brewed tea is best; tea in a can or a bottle has less antioxidants and usually
contains high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners. Loose tea leaves
are ideal, but if buying by the box, check that the ingredients read “100%
natural green tea leaves.” Many popular brands of herbal teas have additives
such as food coloring, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
