- Benefits of Green Tea - agathabrown
The health benefits of green tea outweigh the benefits of most other kinds of tea. According to Tuff's University Health & Nutrition Letter, all tea contains natural antioxidants that are believed to benefit the body; however, green tea, unlike most other teas, is only slightly processed, which preserves a much higher concentration of catechins. Green tea also retains more of its principal bioactive catechin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) components, which are also good for health. All these nutrients in green tea may promote weight loss, reduce heart disease and fight cancer.
Benefits of Green Tea and Weight Loss
Green tea helps with weight loss by boosting metabolism, inhibiting fat absorption and decreasing appetite. According to WebMD, green tea is rich in polyphenois, which function as powerful antioxidants. The antioxidants in green tea increase the metabolism because the nutrients move around searching for free radicals in the body to detoxify them. Green tea is also believed to slow down glucose into fat cells, which inhibits fat absorption. The caffeine and catechins in green function as appetite suppressants. Green tea is an excellent alternative to diet drinks and sugary drinks like soda, especially for weight loss.
Overall, the benefits of green tea help fight obesity and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. According to WebMd, one study in the Netherlands and one study in Japan revealed that green tea fights obesity and lowers LDL cholesterol. In a Dutch study, people who drank caffeinated and decaffeinated green tea lost weight and lost inches from their waistlines. Researchers suspect caffeinated green tea also helps encourage fat oxidation. Drinking just a few cups of green tea throughout the day, along with a healthy diet is reported to help people lose weight.
Benefits of Green Tea and Heart Disease
According to WebMd, studies show that people who drink green tea have better blood vessel function just 30 minutes after drinking it. Green tea improves the function of endothelial cells, and endothelial cell dysfunction is one of the main reasons for atherosclerosis. The flavonoids in green tea are what researchers state may play a key role in protecting the heart.
Drinking green tea may help fight heart disease. According to Life Extension, a report published in the journal Nutrition revealed that people who took green tea supplement capsules containing decaffeinated extracts of Camellia sinensis lowered their blood pressure and cholesterol in three weeks.
Benefits of Green Tea and Cancer
According to WebMd, drinking two cups a day of green tea helps prevent cancer and helps prevent cancer from recurring. In a study conducted in Japan involving almost 500 women with stage I and stage II breast cancer, consuming green tea before and after surgery was associated with lower recurrence of the cancers. Studies in China purport that the more green people drank green tea, the lower their risk of developing pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer and esophageal cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, several laboratory studies in animals and cell cultures have shown that green tea helps fight against cancer cells. Test tube studies reveal that compounds in green tea may prevent new blood vessels from forming, thus stopping the supply of blood to cancer cells. it is important to keep in mind that studies of the green tea with humans is limited mostly to research done in Asia and further clinical research needs to be done to conclude that green tea helps fight and prevent cancer.
The Benefits of Green Tea
Several studies suggest that green tea helps with weight loss, heart disease and cancer; however, the caffeine in green tea may be sensitive to some people. It is possible to get benefits from decaffeinated green tea as long as it has been processes correctly. Studies also show that it is possible to get health benefits from green tea in supplemental or extract form. People should always check with a doctor before using green tea or green tea supplements as a method for improving weight loss, decreasing heart disease and warding off cancer.
References:
Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, "What's So Special About Green Tea?" Feb. 2010, Vol. 27 Issue 12, p4-5, (accessed May 4, 2010).
LiveStrong, "Effects of Green Tea in Weight Loss" (accessed April 28, 2010).
WebMD, "Health Benefits of Green Tea" (accessed April 29, 2010).
WebMD, "Green Tea Lowers Risk of Health Disease" (accessed April 29, 2010)
Life Extension, "Green Tea Supplement Decreases Cardiovascular Risk Factors," Feb. 2009, Vol.15 Issue 2, p23, (accessed May 4, 2010).
American Cancer Society, "Green Tea" (accessed May 4, 2010).
Cathy Herold - Cathy Herold lives in southern California. She has a BA in English and minor in African American Studies from UCLA and a master's degree ...
