Green tea has been used both as a medicine and as a tea by the Chinese for around 4,000 years, since the time of Emperor Shen Nung. Renowned as having strong health benefits, green tea is enjoyed all over the world, from Asia, to the Middle East to the Western world.
The health benefits most commonly associated with drinking green tea are the alleviation of depression, helping to soothe heartburn and counteracting the effects of rheumatoid arthritis .
Recent studies by medical institutions have also found a potential link between the consumption of green tea and the reduction of cancer. In'94, the Journal of the Nation Cancer Institute indicated that green tea reduced the risk of oesophageal cancer in men and women by up to 60% .
A powerful part of green tea's effect is its high levels of antioxidants - pholyphenols called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) to be precise. Antioxidants help to fight the effects of free radicals on the body - particles which scientists believe are responsible for the ageing process and the deterioration of cells.
EGCG has been shown to inhibit the development of cancer cells as well as killing cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. EGCG also has a positive result of the level of cholesterol in your body and stops blood clots from forming abnormally. This has been linked to keeping your cardiovascular system healthy.
Green tea is more potent than other types of tea such as black and oolong, because of the way it is processed. Whereas black and oolong tea are oxidised in the production process, green tea is made with unfermented leaves, meaning it the highest concentration of antioxidants.
One of the best and easiest ways to incorporate green tea into your diet is to drink it. Nowadays, there are many different flavour combinations that have been brought out such as cranberry, orange or mint which help to sweeten the tea. Two to three cups per day is the recommended amount, which gives you around 240 - 320 mg of polyphenols.
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