The popularity of green tea has risen over the recent years, as people are increasingly looking at alternative forms of treatment and therapy such as ayurveda and acupuncture. Drinking green tea cuts the risk of different types of cancer, lowers blood pressure and is an effective cure for obesity. A regular intake of green tea keeps your skin glowing and your calories in check.

One of the least processed and nutritionally-rich teas Archeological evidence shows that people consumed tea leaves steeped in boiling water as many as 5,000 years ago. Botanical evidence indicates that India and China were among the first countries to cultivate tea. Today, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. There are different varieties of green tea available now days.

What exactly is green tea?

Green tea is an acquired taste- you can try adding some mint or make a tasty concoction of your choice. Make sure to brew the tea for no longer than two minutes or you will end up with a bitter drink. Also avoid adding too much sugar or honey and keep it as simple as possible.

Green Tea – ‘a wonder drink’

Authoritative scientists and physiologists believes, a person can feel much better, improve his/her immunity to various diseases and even prolong his or her lifetime if one decides to eat and drink properly and consume particular alimentary products. Also many nutritionists

Health Benefits of Green Tea
Extensive medical research on the benefits of Green Tea is showing positive results. Studies indicate:

  1. Green Tea can help to protect against a range of cancers. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, polyphenols containing catechins present in green tea may play an important role in the prevention of cancer. Emerging studies also suggest that polyphenols inactivate oxidants, reduce the number and size of tumors, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. (New Scientist, 20 March 2004). Studies in particular have been conducted on cancers of the bladder, breast, ovaries, esophagus, lungs, pancreas, prostate, skin, and stomach.
  2. Green Tea can help to prevent Atherosclerosis.Antioxidants in green tea are believed to prevent fatty buildup in the arteries by suppressing the oxidation of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. They may also reduce the likelihood of blood clot formation and help in relaxing blood vessels thereby improving blood flow.
  3. Green Tea can help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Research indicates that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL (“good”) cholesterol in both animals and people. Polyphenols in green tea help block the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and promote its excretion from the body.
  4. Green Tea can help to control Diabetes. Green tea has been used traditionally to control blood sugar in the body. Studies indicate Green tea may help regulate glucose in the body.
  5. Green Tea can help to protect against Liver disease. Green tea seems to protect the liver from the damaging effects of toxic substances such as alcohol.
  6. Weight loss. Studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat. Some researchers speculate polyphenols, specifically catechins, are responsible for the herb’s fat-burning effect.
  7. Relaxation. Due to the presence of the amino acid, L-theanine, drinking a hot cup of green tea helps produce a relaxed feeling, increasing alertness of mind.
  8. Green tea can help to boost the immune system. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital research suggests that theanine present in green tea boosts the disease fighting capacity of Gamma Delta T cells and helps the body to fight infections.
  9. Green tea helps to make the digestive and respiratory system strong because it is rich in bioflavonoids.
  10. Green tea is anti-bacterial and helps prevent dental cavities.

Two to three cups of green tea per day (for a total of 240 to 320 mg polyphenols) is recommended. It is best to get green tea concentrate from its natural form, green tea itself. But if you don’t like the flavor, or don’t have the time, and would like to make sure your body is benefiting from green tea antioxidants you may want to try Green Tea Extracts or Green Tea Drops. Green Tea Plus is a heavily concentrated form of green tea. It has an antioxidant value of 7800 units. Green Tea Plus has added trace minerals to aid in regular body functions. It can be added to any beverage, even water.

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