Green Tea - Nutrition and Human Health
Teas contain rich polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals! There are four primary polyphenols in green tea and they are often collectively referred to as catechins.
Clinical tests have shown that catechins destroy free radicals and have far reaching curative effects on the entire body. Catechins are powerful antioxidants that have been shown in numerous studies to fight viruses, slow aging, and have a beneficial effect on health.
Antioxidants are substances that protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules and fragments of molecules that can damage the body at the cellular level leaving the body susceptible to cancer, heart disease, and many other degenerative diseases.
Green tea is produced from fresh, unfermented tea leaves. Unfermented green tea leaves contain larger quantities of catechins and vitamins than black tea. Vitamins found in varying amounts in green tea are vitamin C, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin D, vitamin K, and the caratenoids (beta carotene and the related compounds).
Green tea also contains small amounts of a wide variety of minerals, notably manganese and selenium. Green tea contains fluoride- the mineral well known for hardening tooth enamel and fighting cavities.
Consumption of green tea has been shown to have a direct effect on cholesterol levels. A study in which more than one thousand adult male of oriental region over the age of 40 were interviewed about their diets and lifestyles discovered that the consumption of green tea had lowered their cholesterol levels. The men who drank ten or more cups (about 3 western-size cups) of green tea daily had lower cholesterol levels than those who did not.
Green tea also causes carbohydrates to be released slowly, preventing sharp increases in blood-insulin levels. This promotes the burning of fat. Research found that people who have the habit of drinking green reduce the chance to have cancer
Despite all the research about the functions tea may have to reduce your chances to get cancer, and make you healthier, maybe one thing is true: Tea can help you get relaxed from busy life and can clean your body by drinking a lot of water. The deep roots of Chinese philosophy makes tea much more than just a drink. It can invisibly change the way you think and your life style.
