Is green tea really as great for you as they say?
Yep, it is. Without a doubt, green tea is probably one of the best beverages you can consume, next to water. While it comes from the same Camellia sinensis plant as all other tea varieties, green tea is processed from unfermented leaves and therefore contains the highest concentration of polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that give green tea all its wonderful health benefits.
Brief Health History
Green tea is considered to be the most natural tea. It is created simply by seeping the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant in hot water and was the only form of tea for centuries before black (fermented) and oolong (semi-fermented) were developed some thousands of years later.
Green tea has a long history of use, especially for health purposes. It was first brewed and consumed back in 2737 BC during the reign of Emperor Chen Nug. Traditional Chinese and Indian medicine prescribed green tea for various ailments in order to aid in wound healing, bleeding control, and improving heart health. It was also used traditionally to regulate body temperature and blood sugar and help with digestion.
Health Benefits
1. Boost immunity. The polyphenols and flavonoids found in green tea help your body stay strong and fight against infections.
2. Thwart cardiovascular disease. Green tea helps prevent build-up in arteries and blocks the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LCL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
3. Guard against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Green tea may help protect brain cells from deteriorating and restore damaged cells.
4. Keep asthma in check. Green tea can help reduce the severity of asthma. It contains theophyline which acts as a relaxer for the muscles that support the bronchial tubes.
5. Reduce tooth decay. The antioxidant “catechin,” found in green tea, has been linked to the destruction of bacteria and viruses that cause various dental conditions and throat infections.
6. Lower blood pressure. Green tea has been found to repress angiotensin, which spikes blood pressure levels.
7. Fight ovarian cancer. Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate or EDCD, a potent antioxidant that has been observed to suppress the growth of ovarian cancer cells and stimulate apoptosis (cell suicide).
8. Reduce the risk of colon cancer. Numerous studies have concluded that green tea helps halt colon cancer cell growth and regular green tea drinkers are 50 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
9. Promote longevity. Polyphenols, which are green tea’s primary antioxidant, fight against free radicals which helps your body fight against aging.
10. Kick breast cancer. Green tea has been found to inhibit cancer cell metabolism in breast tumors.
