Green Tea Is Vital To Your Health

Green tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant, as does black, white and oolong tea. The majority of tea production occurs in the subtropical areas of Asia, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Indonesia.

To produce black tea the leaves are rolled to break open their tissue. This causes a release of their inner chemicals which begin to ferment when they react with the air. During the fermentation process, the leaves begin to darken, changing from green to red and finally to black.

Oolong tea leaves are also oxidized but for a shorter period of time, resulting in a tea that falls into a category somewhere between green and black tea.

What sets green tea apart from other teas is totally due to the methods used for harvesting and processing the leaves. For green tea, the bud and first two adjacent leaves are picked and briefly steamed just after harvesting, rendering them soft and pliable and preventing them from fermenting or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are rolled, then spread out and fired (dried with hot air) or pan fried in a wok until they are crisp.

The process for white tea is much the same as for green tea except that the white tea is allowed to wilt. White tea is made from the very young buds which are covered with fine white hair, before the leaves are fully open. The special nature of this tea makes it more expensive to produce and so it is scarcer than other traditional teas.

Green tea being one of the least processed teas retains its high quantities of antioxidant polyphenols, namely a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC), which is believed to be responsible for many health benefits.   Just one cup of green tea supplies 20-35 mg of EGCG.  This catechin has been found to be 100 times more effective than vitamin C, 25 times more effective than vitamin E, and twice as powerful as resveratrol.  (Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in red wine that limits the negative effects of smoking and fatty diets.)  30% of the dry weight of the green tea leaf is attributed to antioxidant qualities.  Black teas contain the least amount of polyphenol, with oolong being slightly better and green tea leading the way with white tea for their nutrient rich qualities. 

What are some of the health benefits we can expect from green tea?

• Research has shown that green tea reduces levels of the harmful LDL cholesterol and raises HDL ("good") cholesterol, thereby lowering total blood cholesterol.
• ECGC, the main catechin in green tea, not only inhibits the growth of cancer cells, but it also kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. (White tea also contains comparable cancer fighting antioxidants.)
• Studies have found that green tea works at the genetic level. Green tea assists in the cancer fighting process by shutting off genes in cancerous cells that are involved in cell growth, while turning on those that instruct the cancer cells to self-destruct.
  
• Green tea not only re-hydrates, but it also nourishes the body with a rich supply of polyphenols.
• Green tea contains catechins, caffeine and theanine which all promote fat loss. In addition, regular consumption of green tea has been found to suppress lactic acid production during exercise resulting in increased endurance, which in turn will result in more fat being burned.
• Drinking and gargling with green tea regularly inhibits the influenza virus.
  
• Green tea drinkers exhibit higher bone density than nondrinkers.
• Regular consumption of 2 or more cups of green tea a day has been found to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease and the loss of cognitive abilities.
• Studies have been reported on men who regularly drink green tea and they display superior periodontal health. In these studies, the action of the antioxidant catechins on inflamed gums ward off gum disease. In other studies, green tea has been found to help prevent cavities.
  
• Due to the strong anti-inflammatory properties of green tea, drinking it and applying it topically helps to inhibit bacterial infections of the skin, helps to treat acne and mild sunburn and prevents scar tissue formation. The strong antioxidant properties promote cell rejuvenation and collagen formation which helps keep the skin firm and elastic.
  
• Green tea helps to regulate blood glucose levels.

Despite the known benefits of green tea, more black tea is consumed world wide than green tea. Black tea is more economical to produce and because it is totally fermented, the leaves have a long shelf life. Green tea has an average shelf life of 6 months. As research continues to prove the benefits of green tea to our health, the popularity of green tea also continues to increase.

Disclaimer
The content of this page is for informational purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for sound advice, diagnosis, and treatment by a qualified and competent health care professional. The author of this page is not liable for any consequences that may result from the use of this page.