Benefits Of Green Tea To Our Health
The benefits of green tea to our health has been researched quite a bit in the last decade and there is quite a bit of evidence that this great tasting beverage can also be good for you. Of course, that’s no surprise to ancient cultures who have used green tea for health for thousands of years!
Green tea is full of antioxidants. Flavinoids and polyphenols can help boost the bodies immune system which makes it easier for the body to fight off disease and illness. Even the moderate amount of caffeine found in green tea can be good for you as it helps to increase blood flow to the brain helping you to stay alert.
In fact, green tea can help with a variety of medical conditions including cancer, cholesterol levels, infection, rheumatoid arthritis, immune function and cardiovascular disease. It is said to help lower cholesterol levels and improve the ratio of good to bad cholesterol. A study in 1994 showed that the risk of esophageal cancer was reduced by 60% for Chinese men and women who drank green tea. Perdue University researchers have found that green tea contains a compound that inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
Aside from the benefits of green tea to our health, it simply tastes good! Interestingly enough, it comes from the same plant (Camellia Sinensis) as black, oolong and white tea, but the method of production is different thus producing the different tastes.
Green tea leaves are plucked and then steamed which helps them to retain all of the antioxidants or EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). This also gives the tea a delicate flavor.
Different regions prepare their green tea differently and you will find a different flavor in different “types” of green tea.
The tea from Hang Zhou China is dired in a pan. Flat in appearance, it is sometimes called Dragon Well. It is one of the most common drinks in that country that boasts several fine green teas including Gyokuro or Jewel Dew.
Drinking green tea is also very popular in Japan and the tea for them Uji region of Kyoto is considered to be one of the finest green teas in the world. Once used only in ceremonies, this tea called Matcha is powdered and can even be found in ice cream!
The benefits of green tea to our health may even go beyond the components in the tea. Just having a tasty, relaxing cup of tea may help to reduce your levels of stress – something that is well know to have long lasting health effects. So go ahead – drink up and enjoy!
