Green tea miracle drink

Green tea leaves are the unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea has a very high polyphenols content. The polyphenols in green tea is classified as catechins. There are six primary catechin compounds in green tea - catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate and apigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Of the six, the most active is EGCG. Polyphenol is a powerful anti-oxidant (anti-oxidant scavenge free radicals which are damaging compounds which alter cells and damage DNA). It is believed that the anti-oxidant property of polyphenol is more potent than vitamin C.

Drinking green tea is a very healthy practice. Traditional Chinese medical practioners use green tea as a stimulant, diuretic (increase the flow of urine, which causes the body to get rid of excess water) and astringent (draw together or constrict tissues). It is also used to treat flatulence (excessive gas in the alimentary canal), regulate body temperature and blood sugar and promote digestion.

Studies showed that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises LDP (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol which are the good cholesterol and reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol which are the harmful cholesterol. Some clinical studies also showed that green tea may prevent cancer because it is believed that the polyphenols in green tea kill cancer cells and stop their growth.

Studies on animals showed that green tea prevents Type 1 diabetes. It can also slow the progression of Type 1 diabetes once it has developed.

Clinical studies also indicated that green tea increase metabolism and burn fat and thus help weight loss. It may also reduce inflammation and is thus helpful for athritis patients.