The Potential Health Benefits Of Green Tea Extract

Anyone for a cup of stimulating Green Tea? No thanks? Think again.

One cup of refreshing Green Tea consists of a natural mixture of 40 compounds, the best of which are powerful antioxidants called catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which play a vital role in promoting and keeping our bodies in good health.

For centuries the Chinese have known that regular consumption of Green Tea has powerful, beneficial properties for our bodies and mind. It has been part of their culture and diet for thousands of years. And what's more the scientific community has recently become more and more aware of the potential goodness of Green Tea as evidenced by increasing research on this subject.

Still not convinced? Keep reading!

The Potential Benefits of Green Tea

Green Tea is the least processed of all the teas, and thus provides the most antioxidants, notably epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful antioxidant with DNA repairing properties, which is thought to play a vital role in Green Tea's anti-cancer effects.

The potential benefits of antioxidants in cancer prevention are well documented. Clinical studies suggest that consumption of Green Tea can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as oral, stomach, colon, rectal, and prostrate cancers. In addition, Green Tea also appears to have anti-tumor properties. (Ref. Park EJ, Pezzuto JM."Botanicals in cancer chemoprevention." Cancer Metastasis Rev. 2002;21(3-4):231-55 and Kazi A, Smith DM, Daniel K, Zhong S, Gupta P, Bosley ME, Dou QP. "Potential molecular targets of tea polyphenols in human tumor cells: significance in cancer prevention." In Vivo. 2002 Nov-Dec;16(6):397-403).

Scientific research indicates that catechin in Green Tea may also be useful in reducing cholesterol and improving the HDL/LDL (good/bad) cholesterol ratio, thus reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. (Ref. Effect of EGCG on lipid absorption and plasma lipid levels in rats (Raederstorff DG, Schlachter MF, Elste V, Weber P., J Nutr Biochem. 2003 Jun;14(6):326-32. Roche Vitamins Ltd. Department of Vitamin and Nutrition Research, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland).

Researchers have found that Green Tea extract burns more fat than what would be expected of caffeine alone producing weight loss through the activation of thermogenesis (producing heat by burning fat), thereby reducing obesity. Obesity researchers wrote in the International Journal of Obesity, "such a synergistic interaction between catechin-polyphenols and caffeine to augment and prolong sympathetic stimulation of thermogenesis could be of value in assisting the management of obesity." Green Tea has been studied for its many other benefits as well. This includes managing and helping to prevent allergies, diabetes, bacterial and viral infections, tooth cavities, to reducing or helping to cure disease with an inflammatory component and helping to improve neurological and psychological health. In addition, Green Tea helps improve gastro-intestinal function and alcohol metabolism; believed to improve kidney, liver and pancreatic function, helps to protect skin and eyes alleviate arthritis.

Natural Brew and Green Tea Supplements

You can drink Green Tea in its natural form, after brewing the leaves in hot water. It is also available in the form of Green Tea extract or Green Tea drops. Green Tea supplements such as Green Tea Plus contain concentrated amount of polyphenols.You can get 6 times the polyphenols normally found in 1 cup of Green Tea from a single serving of Green Tea Plus, without the caffeine.

It is always good to consume nutrients in its natural form. A hot, refreshing cup of Green Tea at least three times a day will give your body the health-protective and health-promoting nutrients it needs.

If your busy schedule prevents you from sipping Green Tea in its natural form, or if your body is caffeine-sensitive, or, perhaps the taste of Green Tea is not your favorite beverage, then you may want to consider Green Tea supplements. However, please study the pros and cons of taking Green Tea supplements.

While research indicates positive health-promoting effects of Green Tea on your body, research also indicates an overdose can produce harmful effects. Be careful when adding supplements to your diet. Do not overdose. Green Tea supplements could also contain contaminants as they are produced from lower grade leaves.

Now how about it? Sit down. Relax. Have a hot cup of soothing Green Tea. Centuries of use by the Chinese prove to us that Green Tea has no harmful side effects. You can only gain from its age-old, time-tested medicinal value.