Green Tea
Green tea is the least processed of the teas and therefore retains nearly all its nutritional content. One particular antioxidant which is called a Catechin (epigallocatechin-3-gallate EGCG for short) is believed to be responsible for the health benefits linked to green tea. Green tea is derived after the tealeaves have been gently steamed until they are soft, but have not fermented or changed colour. They are then rolled – spread out and fired which is either dried with hot air or fried in a wok until they are crisp. When you add boiling water to the leaves you get a pale yellowy green colour liquid.
So Green Tea Has More Antioxidants – What Are Its Main Health Benefits?
We talked about EGCG the flavanoid antioxidant, which is left in the green tea, and this is what researchers believe is the secret to its health benefits. It has been shown to have anti-cancer properties and encourages cell renewal. One of the diseases that has been studied is Coronary artery disease and it has been shown that the antioxidant in green tea inhibits the enzymes that produce free radicals in the lining of the arteries. It has been shown to lower the LDL which if you remember is ‘lousy’ cholesterol and improving the ratio to HDL ‘Healthy cholesterol’.
It helps with stroke prevention because is thins the blood preventing blood clots from forming and travelling around the body. Eating a high fat diet can produce compounds in the blood that encourage platelets to clump together forming the clot. Not only that it seems to protect the cells in the heart muscle following damage so anyone recovering from a heart attack would find it a good tea to drink.
All of the above is linked to Green Tea’s ability to thin the blood, therefore the flow is unrestricted and people are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure.
Other diseases that have come under the microscope are diabetes, kidney disease, osteoporosis, gum disease, liver damage, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Epilepsy is under the microscope as green tea is being researched because of the possible lessening effect of seizures.
It has been shown to be anti-inflammatory which means that diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may benefit – either from severity of the symptoms or preventing all together. Bacterial infections from tooth decay to intestinal problems such as Candida – where green tea catechins encourage a more acid environment that kills off the bad bacteria.
Viruses do not seem to like green tea and apparently it stops the virus from replicating which might be interesting for some diseases such as HIV where inhibiting replication is critical to prevent the disease from developing.
The good news for anyone who is looking to lose weight is that Green tea has a thermogenic effect on fat cells, which encourages them to burn more fat.
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