Health benefits of green tea
April 7th 2008 08:45
L-R: Green tea, powder and leaves
Green tea has been enjoyed by people in China and Japan for over 4000 years and is arguably one of the most health beneficial drinks on the planet.
The secret behind the health benefits of green tea is its abundance of the antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This powerful antioxidant is lost in other tea leaves during the fermentation process but retained in green tea leaves because the leaves are steamed, baked, or pan heated to prevent oxidation.
Green tea powder and leaves
EGCG has been found to be particularly effective in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), stopping unnatural formation of blood clots, reducing high blood pressure, destroying free radicals, lowering bloody sugar levels, boosting the immune system and stimulating metabolism.
There is also strong evidence that green tea can reduce the risk of cancers - bladder, colon, esophageal, pancreas, rectum, and stomach - by as much as 60% due to its EGCG richness which inhibits and kills the growth of cancer cells without harming the healthy cells.
A very popular brand of instant green tea (powder form) from Japan
The only drawback for green tea is that it contains caffeine but in relatively small amounts - less than half the amount found in coffee of similar portions.
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