Green tea was discovered before at least two thousand years. Two countries, China and India, dispute over the lead of this discovery. Today, green tea is produced and processed nearly worldwide. But very good quality tea can be found only in the provinces of China and Japan, where the ground has precisely these characteristics that need to produce top and very beneficial green tea. The healing properties have been known for many years, but only recently these have been investigated scientifically.
Green tea is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that help to combat harmful free radicals, which cause diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Thanks to a powerful plant nutrient in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) green tea inhibits or helps to slow down the development of various forms of cancer, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease . In more detail:
- epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) helps prevent the accumulation of fat in the arteries. It protects from the accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries and helps prevent cardiovascular disease.
- epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has antibacterial activity against harmful dental bacteria.
- it helps slow the growth of breast cancer. A new survey found that epigallocatechin gallate inhibited the metabolism of cancer cells in breast tumors.
- green tea breaks down fat and epigallocatechin gallate increases the rate at which fat is “burned” in our body. Also, it burns belly fat, activating genes burning belly fat and speed up weight loss by 77%.
- it keeps energy stable, balancing blood sugar levels. The epigallocatechin improves the use of insulin in the body to prevent the increase in blood sugar levels, which can lead to fatigue, irritability and desire for unhealthy foods.
- green tea can help against lung cancer because epigallocatechin suppresses the growth of tumor cells in the lung.
- moreover, epigallocatechin gallate inhibits prevents colon cancer,
- as well as suppresses the growth of tumor cells in the lung.
- As with heart disease and other chronic diseases, oxidative damage and inflammation also underlie the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of green tea catechins improve the condition of patients, protecting them against neurotoxicity. The polyphenols in green tea prevent oxidative stress, providing significant neuroprotective effect against Parkinson’s disease.
- Green tea prevents damage to the skin and wrinkles. Epigallocatechin shown to be 200 times more potent than vitamin E, in destroying free radicals, that causes problems to the skin. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage and thus reducing their number, wrinkles are reduced, as well as other signs of aging. Because epigallocatechin is a powerful antioxidant, it can positively affect much more than the skin cells. Free radicals are increasingly linked with many serious chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
Scientists believe that the most numerous health benefits are seen in people who consume five cups of green tea a day, or more. The usual consumption is 3 cups a day. They warn, however, that the amount of tea consumption at high temperature may be associated with an increased risk of cancer of the esophagus. Therefore, they suggest that green tea should be consumed in moderate or low temperature.
The best way to get the catechins and other flavonoids in tea is to drink it freshly brewed. Allow the tea to steep in the water for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins. Bottled, ready-to-drink tea, or decaffeinated, have fewer catechins and other flavonoids.
The tea can inhibit the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables. Adding lemon or milk or drinking tea between meals will counteract this problem.
Note: The ideas and information presented in this blog are for informational purposes only and in no case can replace the advice of a specialist in nutrition and health. Before starting any diet or exercise you should contact a specialist doctor or dietitian; especially if you suffer from a serious illness.
Sources:
http://www.clickatlife.gr/diatrofi/story/16320
http://www.naturalremedies.org/green-tea/
http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/apr2008_New-Research-On-The-Health-Benefits-Of-Green-Tea_01.htm
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