Believed to have originated in China, green tea comes from a plant named Camellia sinensis. While the Chinese have believed for long in the beneficial properties, the rest of the world is now catching up with it. Suddenly green tea is everyone’s favorite health drink.
Researchers everywhere are now trying to find the answer to the question - is green tea good for you? Studies show that this is because these tea leaves are least processed. It is made by briefly steaming freshly harvested leaves. This is why it keeps most of its antioxidants polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). It is these catechins that make green tea so effective. Their strong antibacterial properties are supposed to disrupt bacterial growth.
Researchers are coming up with new studies almost every month on green tea. They’ve found that it is effective against a whole host of diseases – from preventing cancer to improving bad breath.
Cancer: Studies show that the EGCG present in the green tea regulates cancer growth by killing unnaturally growing cells. It may even stop further growth of cancerous cells. It is found to be effective against a number of cancers. This includes prostate, lung and breast cancer.
High cholesterol: Green tea has been found to lower LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. It improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad. Green tea helps thin the blood, which prevents the formation of blood clots.
Cardiovascular disease: Two separate studies - one Japanese and the other Dutch have found that drinking green tea can reduce the chances of a stroke. The Dutch study found that green tea reduced the risk of blood vessels clogging.
Rheumatoid arthritis: In a study by Cleveland’s Western Reserve, it was found that four cups of green tea a day can prevent rheumatoid arthritis. It also reduces symptoms in patients.
Obesity: Green tea is credited with polyphenols that produce extra body heat. This in turn burns calories. Green tea has certain compounds that increase body metabolism and suppress the appetite.
Cognitive protection: Recent studies show that green tea catechins may also protect cellular mechanisms, particularly the brain cells. They reduce iron and proteins that are believed to be responsible for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer.
So is green tea good for you? The answer is most definitely yes. Remember, at least three cups of green tea a day, keeps the doctor away.
Researchers everywhere are now trying to find the answer to the question - is green tea good for you? Studies show that this is because these tea leaves are least processed. It is made by briefly steaming freshly harvested leaves. This is why it keeps most of its antioxidants polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). It is these catechins that make green tea so effective. Their strong antibacterial properties are supposed to disrupt bacterial growth.
How is green tea good for you?
Researchers are coming up with new studies almost every month on green tea. They’ve found that it is effective against a whole host of diseases – from preventing cancer to improving bad breath.
Cancer: Studies show that the EGCG present in the green tea regulates cancer growth by killing unnaturally growing cells. It may even stop further growth of cancerous cells. It is found to be effective against a number of cancers. This includes prostate, lung and breast cancer.
High cholesterol: Green tea has been found to lower LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. It improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad. Green tea helps thin the blood, which prevents the formation of blood clots.
Cardiovascular disease: Two separate studies - one Japanese and the other Dutch have found that drinking green tea can reduce the chances of a stroke. The Dutch study found that green tea reduced the risk of blood vessels clogging.
Rheumatoid arthritis: In a study by Cleveland’s Western Reserve, it was found that four cups of green tea a day can prevent rheumatoid arthritis. It also reduces symptoms in patients.
Obesity: Green tea is credited with polyphenols that produce extra body heat. This in turn burns calories. Green tea has certain compounds that increase body metabolism and suppress the appetite.
Cognitive protection: Recent studies show that green tea catechins may also protect cellular mechanisms, particularly the brain cells. They reduce iron and proteins that are believed to be responsible for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer.
So is green tea good for you? The answer is most definitely yes. Remember, at least three cups of green tea a day, keeps the doctor away.