Michael Russell asked:




Historical evidence suggests that tea leaves boiled in water were consumed as far back as 5,000 years ago in India and China. These two countries were the earliest users of tea. Tea also plays a very important part in social rituals of Japan. In Asian countries tea has long played an important cultural role.

Tea is derived from leaves of a plant called Camellia sinensis. The plant is grown in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

There are three types of tea – Green, black and oolong. All of these are derived from Camellia sinensis, the difference lying in the way the leaves are processed. Green tea is prepared from leaves that are not fermented; oolong tea is prepared from partially fermented leaves, while black tea leaves are fully fermented. Green and oolong tea are mostly consumed in Asian countries like China, Japan, India and Thailand, while black tea is preferred in United States.

In recent periods green tea has attracted a lost of attention due to many health benefits attributed to it. Many studies have been conducted which explore the link between consumption of green tea and incidence of certain diseases in the population. It has been observed that green tea is helpful in:

- preventing cancer,

- improving the ratio of ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol to ‘bad’ cholesterol,

- cognition,

- treating flatulence,

- regulating blood sugar,

- regulating body temperature,

- improving digestion.

In some studies it was suggested that the lower incidence of heart related diseases in the French population in spite of the consumption of a fat rich diet is related to the drinking of large quantities of green tea by them. This may be compared to the lower incidence of heart diseases in Japanese population, 75% of which are heavy smokers.

The medicinal properties of green tea are attributed to the presence of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants help prevent the damage caused by free radicals present in body. Free radicals occur naturally, but they grow in numbers due to some environmental conditions like pollution, ultra-violet light, cigarette smoke etc. Green tea contains 30% to 40% polyphenols, while black tea contains up to 10% polyphenols.

3 to 4 cups of green tea is recommended for an adult.

Green tea has been found to be beneficial in following conditions :

(1) People who drink green tea are found to have lower LDL cholesterol levels and higher HDL cholesterol levels. One study conducted in animals suggests that polyphenols may help inhibit the absorption of cholesterol by intestines thus helping in the excretion of cholesterol from body.

(2) Though it has not yet been conclusively proved that drinking of green tea is related to the lower incidence of caner in Japan, yet some studies conducted in animals indicate that polyphenols that act as antioxidants may be responsible for killing the cancer cells.

(3) It was found in certain studies that polyphenols help control Type 1 diabetes. The body stops producing insulin in Type 1 diabetes. Green tea can be helpful in regulating levels of glucose in the blood in such cases.

(4) Green tea has also been found to be beneficial for the liver. It helps control the damaging effect of alcohol on it. People who drink green tea are found to have lower incidence of liver diseases.

(5) Green tea may also be helpful in reducing weight in obese people. Though not conclusively proved, weight reducing properties of polyphenols have been noted in some studies.

In some cases, however, certain precautions need to be taken while taking green tea.

People with stomach ulcers, heart problems, hyperthyroidism and psychological disorders should not take green tea. Pregnant women should also avoid it. Green tea should also be avoided if one is taking any of the following medications: anti-biotics, Benzodiazepines, Beta blockers, blood thinning medicines, chemotherapy, oral contraceptives and lithium.

Juliet Cohen asked:




Green tea lovers enjoy fine imported Chinese and Japanese green tea and white tea. Green tea is usually brewed and drunk as a beverage. Green tea extracts can be taken in capsules and are sometimes used in skin products. Types of tea are commonly graded depending on the quality and the parts of the plant used. There are large variations in both price and quality within these broad categories, and there are many specialty green teas that fall outside this spectrum.

Green tea is made from unfermented leaves and reportedly contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals — damaging compounds in the body that alter cells, tamper with DNA (genetic material), and even cause cell death. Green tea has been consumed throughout the ages in India, China, Japan, and Thailand. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, practitioners used green tea as a stimulant, diuretic (to promote the excretion of urine), astringent (to control bleeding and help heal wounds), and to improve heart health. Green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions

Green tea has been credited with providing a wide variety of health benefits, many of which have not been validated by scientific evidence. Other traditional uses of green tea include treating flatulence (gas), regulating body temperature and blood sugar, promoting digestion, and improving mental processes. Green tea is the least processed and thus provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, notably a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea.

Green tea is made by briefly steaming the just harvested leaves, rendering them soft and pliable and preventing them from fermenting or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are rolled, then spread out and “fired” until they are crisp. Green tea has always been, and remains today, the most popular type of tea from China where most historians and botanists believe the tea plant originated throughout all of Asia.

Green tea has been extensively studied in people, animals, and laboratory experiments. Green tea is safe for most when used in moderate amounts. Green tea and green tea extracts contain caffeine. Caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent ********* in some people. Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K, which can make anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, less effective. Green tea contains many polyphenols known as catechins, including epigallocathechin-3 gallate (EGCG), epigallocathechin (EGC) and epicathechin-3 gallate.

Green tea is different from black tea in that it [green tea] is produced from leaves that have been withered, rolled, fermented, and dried. Green tea polyphenols are potent antioxidant compounds that have demonstrated greater antioxidant protection than vitamins C and E in experimental studies. Green tea can cause adverse reactions (immunoglobulin E-mediated) in patients with green-tea asthma. Green tea has been used traditionally to control blood sugar in the body. Green tea extracts are also available in capsule form.

Benefits of Green Tea Tips

1. Helps to prevent cancer.

2. Lowers “bad” cholesterol and improves the ratio of “good” cholesterol.

3. Stops the unnatural formation of blood cloth which if not taken care of will cause thrombosis.

4. Reduces high blood pressure by repressing angiotensin II.

5. Lowers blood sugar (polyphenols and polysaccharides are the two main antioxidants are especially effective in lowering blood sugar).

6. Protects liver against toxins like alcohol and chemicals in cigarette smoke.

7. Promotes oral health by suppress the process of plaque formation and destroys the bacteria that forms plaque.

8. Destroys free radicals that cause aging.

10. Boosts your immune system function.

11. Helps your body to maintain healthy fluid balance and relieve fatigue and stress often caused by dehydration.

12. Blocks main receptors that produce allergic reactions.

Kevin Agrawal asked:




Tea is made from the dried leaves of a shrub called Camellia sinensis. Historically, India, China, Japan, and Thailand have been drinking its brew for thousands of years. Because ancient sages realized the health benefits of green tea, it became part of their rituals and ceremonies. Tea drinking is inculcated in the culture of most Asian countries. India and China were the first cultivators of tea and still are today, the largest producers of tea.

Chemical Composition

It is made from unfermented leaves and reportedly contains the highest concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, the most important of which are flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and proanthocyanidins). Out of these flavonoids, Epigallocatechin gallate is the most significant active compound.Dried leaves generally contain from 8-12% total polyphenols, caffeine (3.5%), theanine (~4%), lignin (6.5%), organic acids (1.5%), protein (15%), and chlorophyll (0.5%). It retains much of its active bioflavonoids, B-vitamins and ascorbic acid because of the way it is processed. It is processed by steam whereas Black Tea is processed by fermentation. Because it is fermented Black Tea has lost much of its antioxidant properties. The essential oil contains more than 300 components including aldehydes, phenylethyl alcohols, phenols, hexenal, linalool, dihydroactinidiolide and p-vinylphenol.

Traditional Uses

Ancient Chinese and Indian medicine record its use as a stimulant, diuretic (to flush out excess fluids from the body), as an astringent (to control bleeding and help heal wounds), and to improve heart health. It was traditionally used for the treatment of flatulence (gas), for regulating blood glucose levels, promoting digestion, and improving mental alertness.

Health Benefits

Extensive medical resesarch on its benefits is showing positive results. Studies indicate:

Helps protect against a range of cancers. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, polyphenols containing catechins present 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, , ovaries, esophagus, lungs, pancreas, prostate, skin, and stomach. Helps to prevent Atherosclerosis. Antioxidants are believed to suppress the oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol, and thereby prevent the formation of a fatty buildup in the arteries. They are also believed to reduce the risk of blood clot formation and improve blood flow by helping the blood vessels to relax. Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Research indicates that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL, the good cholesterol in both animals and people. Polyphenols do this by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the gut and helping to quickly eliminate it through excretion. Helps control Diabetes. It has been used traditionally to control blood sugar in the body. Studies indicate that it may help regulate glucose in the body. Helps protect against Liver disease. It is believed to offer a protective affect on the liver, protecting if from liver damage due to toxic substances, such as alcohol. Weight loss. Studies suggest that extracts may boost metabolism and help burn fat. Some researchers speculate polyphenols, specifically catechins, are responsible for the fat-burning effect. Relaxation. Due to the presence of the amino acid, L-theanine, drinking a hot cup helps produce a relaxed feeling, increasing alertness of mind. Helps to boost the immune system. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital research suggests that theanine present enhances the capacity of Gamma Delta T cells in their fight against disease and helps the body to fight infections. Helps to make the digestive and respiratory system strong because it is rich in bioflavonoids. It is anti-bacterial and helps prevent dental cavities.
Two to three cups per day (for a total of 240 to 320 mg polyphenols) is recommended. It is best to get the antioxidants from its natural form. 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 antioxidants you may want to try Green Tea Extracts or Green Tea Drops. Green Tea Plus is a heavily concentrated form of it. It has an antioxidant value of 7800 units. It has added trace minerals to aid in regular body functions. It can be added to any beverage, even water.