Green Tea
Asians have consumed green tea for thousands of years. Not until recently has green tea consumption dramatically increased in the West.
Like black and oolong teas, green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike black and oolong tea, green tea receives processing before a lot of oxidation. The use of steam stops the oxidation process shortly after harvesting, and then the tea is dried. A lack of oxidation is why green tea maintains a greater number of healthy, beneficial chemicals than those in black and oolong teas.
Tea typically grows in tropical or sub-tropical climates. Areas with heavy rainfall and a high altitude are best.
Tea grown in different regions has distinct traits and qualities. In China and Japan, most know tea by its region - in the manner wine is in other parts of the world. Climate and soil characteristics, as well as variations in processing technique, give teas from different regions distinct flavors, aroma and coloring. An example of a distinct regional tea is Longjing tea from the Hangzhou province of China. There are many counterfeits of Longjing on the market because of its popularity.
Health Benefits
People in Asia have known about the health benefits of green tea for thousands of years. Now there is a lot of ongoing research into the potentially tremendous health benefits of green tea.
Green tea contains four primary substances, known as polyphenols, with potential health benefits. These are:
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)
ECG (epicatechin gallate)
EGC (epigallocatechin)
EC (epicatechin)
Of these, EGCG gets the most attention because of its tremendous antioxidant capability.
While most of us think of tea as a “pick-me-up” because of the caffeine content, it also contains an amino acid found almost exclusively in tea plants known as L-theanine; this is said to promote relaxation and calm. A study reported in Trends in Food Science & Technology showed brain activity that indicated a relaxed state without causing drowsiness within 40 minutes after taking 50-200 milligrams of L-theanine.
Cancer Prevention?
One of the most exciting potential benefits of green tea is the possibility that it has potent abilities to prevent cancer. While this is a subject of some debate, early research studies on mice (as well as several population-based case-control studies) indicate that green tea may be able to stave off a variety of cancers.
For example, a study in Yangzhong, China, reported that green tea consumption may decrease the risk of stomach cancer and chronic gastritis.
Similarly, a study in Shanghai, China, showed a potential correlation between drinking green tea and a lower risk of colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
While the research is not conclusive that there is a link between green tea and lower cancer risk, there seems to be strong evidence to support its benefits as a cancer fighter.
Other Health Benefits
Cancer fighting is not the only potential health benefit of green tea. Research shows that green tea may lower cholesterol, help prevent gingivitis and tooth decay, and help with weight loss.
There is also ongoing research of the benefits of green tea and green tea extracts for those suffering from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
These are just a few of the potential health benefits of drinking green tea.
There is much research left to do, but there is ample evidence that drinking green tea may be an excellent part of a healthy life-style.
Asians have consumed green tea for thousands of years. Not until recently has green tea consumption dramatically increased in the West.
Like black and oolong teas, green tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Unlike black and oolong tea, green tea receives processing before a lot of oxidation. The use of steam stops the oxidation process shortly after harvesting, and then the tea is dried. A lack of oxidation is why green tea maintains a greater number of healthy, beneficial chemicals than those in black and oolong teas.
Tea typically grows in tropical or sub-tropical climates. Areas with heavy rainfall and a high altitude are best.
Tea grown in different regions has distinct traits and qualities. In China and Japan, most know tea by its region - in the manner wine is in other parts of the world. Climate and soil characteristics, as well as variations in processing technique, give teas from different regions distinct flavors, aroma and coloring. An example of a distinct regional tea is Longjing tea from the Hangzhou province of China. There are many counterfeits of Longjing on the market because of its popularity.
Health Benefits
People in Asia have known about the health benefits of green tea for thousands of years. Now there is a lot of ongoing research into the potentially tremendous health benefits of green tea.
Green tea contains four primary substances, known as polyphenols, with potential health benefits. These are:
EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)
ECG (epicatechin gallate)
EGC (epigallocatechin)
EC (epicatechin)
Of these, EGCG gets the most attention because of its tremendous antioxidant capability.
While most of us think of tea as a “pick-me-up” because of the caffeine content, it also contains an amino acid found almost exclusively in tea plants known as L-theanine; this is said to promote relaxation and calm. A study reported in Trends in Food Science & Technology showed brain activity that indicated a relaxed state without causing drowsiness within 40 minutes after taking 50-200 milligrams of L-theanine.
Cancer Prevention?
One of the most exciting potential benefits of green tea is the possibility that it has potent abilities to prevent cancer. While this is a subject of some debate, early research studies on mice (as well as several population-based case-control studies) indicate that green tea may be able to stave off a variety of cancers.
For example, a study in Yangzhong, China, reported that green tea consumption may decrease the risk of stomach cancer and chronic gastritis.
Similarly, a study in Shanghai, China, showed a potential correlation between drinking green tea and a lower risk of colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
While the research is not conclusive that there is a link between green tea and lower cancer risk, there seems to be strong evidence to support its benefits as a cancer fighter.
Other Health Benefits
Cancer fighting is not the only potential health benefit of green tea. Research shows that green tea may lower cholesterol, help prevent gingivitis and tooth decay, and help with weight loss.
There is also ongoing research of the benefits of green tea and green tea extracts for those suffering from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
These are just a few of the potential health benefits of drinking green tea.
There is much research left to do, but there is ample evidence that drinking green tea may be an excellent part of a healthy life-style.
