What is the Benefits of Green Tea?

Source: www.worldhealth.net

I’m happy I take out the coffee already in my life for almost a months now, lately I been drinking coffee 5 times a day sometimes more than 6 cups, my night is not complete if I didn’t take coffee before I sleep. How I take out coffee in my life? It was when I got a sore throat for almost 3 weeks, I have read that coffee or caffeine is one of the cause why sore throat stay longer to heal, so, I take out caffeinated drink like coffee, energy drink and soft drink. Now my sore throat has gone and I never go back again too, to caffeinated drinks.

What I drink now in exchanged of coffee is, None other than, but green tea with honey, for almost a month of taking green tea, I already feel the good effect of green tea in my body, not like before when I drinking coffee. Really green tea is good for the body; green tea has caffeine too but not as strong as coffee.

Where tea come from?

Native to China and India, has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally, all types of tea except herbal tea are brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The level of oxidation of the leaves determines the type of tea.

How green tea and black tea process and its different ways?

Although tea comes from the same plant the processing of black and green tea are different. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

What makes green tea good in our body?

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG it’s a powerful anti-oxidant, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, killing cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It also effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. (Thrombosis) that leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. Researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. Which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers?


Benefit of taking Green tea.

• Study found that consuming 10 cups of green tea per day can lower total cholesterol; however, consuming 4 cups or less had no effect on cholesterol levels.
• Other studies have found that green tea is helpful in preventing dental cavities, stress, chronic fatigue, treating skin conditions and improving arthritis by reducing inflammation, also Tea, black and green, demonstrates significant antiviral and antioxidant.
• Oral Health, Along with the natural fluoride found in tea, polyphenols and catechins are associated with killing bacteria that cause tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease-the number one cause for tooth loss.
• Bone Health, Routine tea consumption, especially for more than 10 years, has been associated with decreasing the risk of osteoporotic fractures. It's thought that tea helps diminish bone loss through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, tea's health-promoting properties are thought to suppress the breakdown of bone while increasing the amount and activity of bone building cells.
• Weight Loss, the catechins found in tea, specifically green tea, creates thermogenesis- the production of heat within the body which is related to burning calories. These compounds may inhibit certain chemicals in the brain,
• thereby prolonging thermogenesis. Drinking at least three cups a day is recommended to raise the body's metabolic rate.
• Cancer, tea is beneficial in preventing cancer including prostate, pancreatic, breast, colorectal, esophageal, bladder, lung, and stomach. The catechins found in tea prevent cell mutation, deactivate certain carcinogens, and reduce the
• formation and growth of tumors. Drinking as many as four cups a day may be necessary to reap the anti-cancer benefits.
• Heart Health, Tea consumption is also associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. 

The people who drink at least one cup of tea daily have a 44 percent lower risk of heart attack. Tea also lowers cholesterol levels. Before taking green tea take note of this some points.

Regular Tea is beneficial than decaffeinated tea. Brewed tea contains more beneficial properties than instant. Tea bags contain the same beneficial properties as loose leaf tea.
For full health benefits, brew tea for at least 3 minutes.

If not handled properly, those same polyphenols that provide health benefits can ruin the flavor, making the tea taste grassy. It's particularly important not to overbrew green tea and best to drink freshly brewed tea that is hot.

Some say, one is enough, two is too much and three is dangerous, Green tea has a Harmful Effects too such as, insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.

Because of caffeine in Green tea it has an interaction or may have a adverse effects when combined with medications; such as,

• Amphetamines, Cocaine, Ephedrine, Adenosine (Adenocard), Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics)
• Birth control pills (Contraceptive drugs)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Dipyridamole (Persantine)
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
• Estrogens
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Lithium
• Medications for depression (MAOIs)
• Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs)
• Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant /Antiplatelet drugs)
• Nicotine
• Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
• Alcohol,
• Fluconazole (Diflucan)
• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
• Mexiletine (Mexitil) Terbinafine (Lamisil)

Speak to a qualified health care provider or pharmacist if you take any medications or supplements.



References:

1. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-960-GREEN%20TEA.aspx?activeIngredientId=960&activeIngredientName=GREEN%20TEA
2. http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa011400a.htm
3. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269538.php
4. http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/the-5-health-benefits-of-green-tea.html#b