An interesting article on the benefits of drinking green tea. Black tea is also okay

[Cecil Lee]

I believe some of us have read about the claims on the health giving =properties of drinking green tea.

I find this article interesting.

WORK HARD BUT DO TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH.

According to increasing research worldwide, each cup of green tea is more than just a comforting brew. It could very well be your cup of good health.

1. FRESHEN UP

For starters, tea enhances your environment.

New research points to used tea bags to help fight sick-house syndrome.

According to Tokyo Metropolitan Comprehensive Consumer Centre, formaldehyde, usually found in bonding agents, emits an unpleasant odour sometimes causing allergies and other health problems.

Their experiment revealed that tea leaves - black or green, fresh or used - do not release the substance back into the atmosphere after it has been absorbed.

If placed in a closed space, such as a cupboard, the leaves also make a significant difference in reducing the amount of formaldehyde in the air.

2. A NATURAL ELIXIR

Green tea contains a high content of vitamins, minerals and about 15 - 30 percent more polyphenols. The most potent ingredients found in green tea is polyphenols, a group of powerful antioxidants.

The best known of these polyphenols is from the "cathechin" family which has been shown in numerous studies to have far-reaching beneficial effects on the entire body.

3. THE TUMOUR TERMINATOR

Researchers found that EGC, a compound in green tea inhibits an enzyme required for cancer cell growth and can kill cultured cancer cells with no ill effect on healthy cells.

Although all teas come from the same botanical source, green tea differs from black or oolong teas because it goes through very little processing and hence, has better nutritional and medicinal benefits.

Findings by Purdue University suggested that =drinking more than four cups of green tea a day could provide enough of the active compound EGC to slow and prevent the growth of cancer cells.

Other research shows that green tea may be a promising weapon in the fight against cancers of the breast, stomach, colon, bladder, prostate, oesohagus and liver.

One study even pointed out that although Japan has one of the highest rate of smokers in the world, they have one of the lowest rates of lung cancer of any developed nation because the Japanese have long consumed green tea with their meals.

4. MATTERS OF THE HEART

Heart disease and strokes are associated with a number of risk factors and green tea appears to mitigate many of these risk factors. Researchers speculate that antioxidants are at work again.

They probably prevent low-density lipoprotein(LDL) from promoting the plague build-up that clogs arteries.

Other research has shown green tea to inhibit abnormal blood clot =formation, the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes, as effectively as aspirin.

5. THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

You can retard the ageing process by filling up on antioxidants. The very fact that green tea contains a powerful antioxidant is a strong foundation for believing it can help delay or even reverse ageing.

Tea antioxidants are not only 100 times as effective as vitamin C, but they are also 25 times as effective as vitamin E in neutralising free radicals.

6. ANTI-ARTHRITIS AGENT

Green tea is said to prevent rheumatoid arthritis, a disease characterised by inflammation, pain, swelling and joint destruction, which is known to afflict middle-aged women.

7. A WEIGHTY ISSUE

If you are trying to lose weight, sipping green tea may be the only workout you need according to some researchers.

In a study at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, green tea appeared to raise metabolic =rates and speed up fatxiation.

8.. CAN THE CAVITIES

Halitosis or bad breath can be embarasing, but instead of reaching for a mint try a sip of green tea instead. It is a known fact that small amounts of fluoride can strengthen teeth and help prevent cavities.

Green tea contains natural fluoride.

Also, the catechin in green tea has a strong antibacterial effect. So besides killing bacteria that cause cavities and eliminating bad breath, it can suppress the formation of plague, which can result in gum disease.

We know from current research that there's a high correlation between gum disease and heart disease, and this could explain why there is a lower cardiovascular disease risk =among tea drinkers.

HOW TO DRINK YOUR TEA?

Use one tea bag or one to two teaspoons of leaves per
cup. Fill a kettle with cold water and bring it to a boil; allow it to stand for up to three minutes.

Water should not be boiling hot to prevent throat irritation and an an increased risk of oesophageal cancer.

Pour the heated water over the tea bag or tea leaves and allow it to steep for up to three minutes.

Allow the tea to cool for three more minutes before taking a sip. Don't add milk because it can inhibit the absorption of polyphenols.

COMPONENTS OF GREEN TEA

Catechin - reduce risk of cancer, restraints tumours, lowers blood =cholesterol, prevents high blood sugar, kills bacteria, fights flu virus, prevents cavities and bad breath.

Caffeine - keeps you awake, =works as a diuretic

Vitamin C - reduces stress, prevents colds and flu

Vitamin B - promotes metabolism.
Flavonoids - strengthens the blood vessel wall, prevents bad breath

Vitamin E - works as an antioxidant, helps to maintain youthfulness.

Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) - lowers high blood pressure.