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Green Tea:
Since the first cup of green tea almost five thousand years ago, the
popularity of tea has grown to the point that it is now the second most
consumed beverage in the world. Only water is more popular. Today,
scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for
the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in
1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of
an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk
of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.
University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green
tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating
that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as
improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
Symptoms of
Green Tea:
There are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is
reputed to be helpful:
1.Cancer
2.Rheumatoid arthritis
3.High cholesterol levels
4.Cariovascular disease
5.Infection
6.Impaired immune function
Prevention:
The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols,
particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful
anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer
cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering
LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood
clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that
thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of
heart attacks and stroke. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the
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.
Benefits & Effect
Green Tea:
Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying
abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria
that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea
- from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market. To date,
the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is 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.
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