The Chinese Green Tea Miracle
“Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one.” (Ancient Chinese Proverb)
Till Date no other food or drink has been reported to have as many health benefits as green tea? The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.
scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:
- Cancer
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- High cholesterol levels
- Cardiovascular disease
- Infection
- Impaired immune function
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.
Other Benefits
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-that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea – from deodorants to creams – are starting to appear on the market.
Green Tea Metabolism
Green tea has been used by millions of people to lose weight. This ancient drink has been used in China and Japan for centuries, but it was not until recent times’ studies and research that green tea came to the Western world.
Green tea metabolism boosting benefits are true and you can take advantage of this in your battle against excess weight.
Studies have shown green tea increases the metabolic rates and speeds up fat oxidation. According to Abdul G. Dulloo, from the University of Geneva, author of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:
Now, there are some people that say this study was done in a small group, and that possibly the benefits of weight loss won’t be too big on an obese person. But having talked to many people like me, who drink green tea on a regular basis I know that green tea can be a powerful ally to drop the pounds of excess fat. Of course, you won’t lose a lot of weight just by drinking green tea, and you won’t lose ANY pound of fat if you continue eating bad, but with a good nutrition and exercise schedule you could be boosting your efforts seriously.
Also, keep in mind that you can go beyond green tea metabolism benefits. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants (flavonoids) that can help protect heart disease, cancer and stroke. If you are a coffee drinker, it would be a very wise idea to swap it for green tea. This way you can take advantage f that boost in metabolism every day.
Green tea can be found in the form of “tea bags”, capsules and even powder, you will reap the benefits in any presentation you choose, although you can save a lot of money just opting for tea bags.
So, let’s adopt Green tea and become a part of Green Tea Health Revolution.
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