Research Shows Strong Potential
Health Benefits of Green Tea

Studies on the benefits of green tea indicate the beverage is a potentially powerful natural drink. The Camellia Sinensis plant, a form of evergreen, is the source of green tea. The plant has many active ingredients called polyphenols, which are antioxidants and has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

The specific polyphenols are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), gallocatechin (GC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatehcin (EC) and epicatechin gallate (ECG). These polyphenols account for many of the health benefits that are linked to drinking green tea including:

• Reducing the severity of colds and flu
• Reducing the risk of cancer (including leukemia, lung and prostate cancers)
• Slowing osteoporosis (bone thinning)
• Lowering cholesterol to reduce the incidence of heart disease
• Improving the condition of individuals suffering from Alzheimers disease

Numerous studies have been published in respected journals that provide evidence of the health benefits of green tea.

For example, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition recently featured a study on the effect of taking green tea during the flu season. While half of the participants took a placebo, the other half took a capsule containing decaffeinated green tea. Approximately a third of the group who took the capsule had fewer flu symptoms than the group that took the placebo.

The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a publication of the American Chemical Society, recently published a study that showed green tea could improve bone health and slow the bone thinning process. Researchers found that the EGC in green tea was extremely beneficial in blocking bone thinning activity.

Another recent study, where participants consumed the equivalent of twelve cups of green tea per day, concluded that the growth of tumors in the prostate could be lowered -- though this study did not show tumors can be prevented.

Across countries that drink high quantities of green tea on a daily basis, there are significantly lower rates of cancer compared to countries with less consumption. It is thought that the antioxidants known as catechins act as an inhibitor. The antioxidant ECGC has been found beneficial for lung and prostate cancer as well.

For an article detailing additional studies and information on the health benefits of green tea, please click here.

It is important to note that while studies support strong indicators for the health benefits of green tea, more investigation is needed to confirm the association across the health spectrum. If you are considering adding green tea to your daily diet for therapeutic or medicinal purposes, be sure to first consult with your healthcare provider.

This article was written by Steve Vigor, owner of www.lose-weight-with-us.com

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