Green Tea Benefits

Based on some studies which have been carried out in the past, some specific substances in green tea diet can wipe out cancer cells with no harm to other healthy tissues in the body.

The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

The very essential substance in green tea diets which gives it these healing properties is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Green tea is rich in these EGCG anti-oxidants. EGCG slows down and stops the growth of new cancer cells in the body. It also kills some existing cancer cells without harming normal cells. Additionally, EGCG is also apparently effective at stopping blood clots formation which has been known to cause thrombosis, which in turn causes stokes and heart attacks.

New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.

Harmful Effects ?

To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.

All tea comes from the same botanical source. Compared to other types of tea, green tea is processed differently. In green tea, the leaves are not allowed to oxidize but instead are steamed. This process allows the natural ingredients in the leaves to be preserved. Other types of tea were not nearly as successful as green tea in inhibiting the cancerous cells or HIV. In the end, green tea was approximately ten times more potent than the other types.

The scientists want to expand on these studies and determine the exact mechanism of EGCg. At this point, the scientists are beginning to understand the initial inhibitive effects of EGCg but further research is warranted to pin down the exact mechanisms and to put that mechanism to work fighting HIV.

Green tea has emerged as a natural secret for a healthier life due to its various health benefits which has made people switch from the consumption of their daily tea to this healthy and beneficial drink. Being rich in certain important antioxidants, green tea helps in providing protection against cancer, arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, infections and various other ailments. It helps in strengthening the immune system thereby shielding one’s body from various health disorders. It is due to this reason that green tea has become the latest health drink which aids in the overall well being of the person.

One of the most important benefits of drinking green tea is that it can provide protection against the life-snatching disease cancer. The polyphenols present in this healthy drink help in blocking the formation of cancer causing compounds and detoxifies cancer-causing chemicals. It thus helps in preventing the cancers of gastrointestinal tract like stomach cancer and colon cancer amongst others. Along with protecting one against cancer, green tea helps in the optimum functioning of one’s heart by keeping one’s blood pressure and cholesterol under check. It has been found that drinking green tea two times a day helps in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol in the body thereby aiding in the healthy functioning of one’s heart.

For people with diabetes, drinking green tea can come as a miracle as this healthy drink helps in the natural reduction of blood sugar thereby preventing and even treating the problem of diabetes. Moreover, it is also beneficial in preventing obesity as it inhibits the movement of glucose in fat cells which in turn helps in keeping one’s weight under check. In addition, consumption of green tea can help in preventing tooth decay and bad breath along with helping in relieving stress, strain and fatigue. 

By boosting the entire strength of the immune system, green tea acts as a natural health drink which aids in the overall well being of a person.