Wellness and Healthy Tips

Since 500 years ago, humans have been enjoying steeping tea leaves in boiling water. Tea (Camellia sinensis) is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after freshwater. Modern medical research shows that many benefits of green tea for health. Most benefits of green tea associated with Polyphenols, phytochemicals are powerful antioxidants that give green tea taste bitter. There are four primary Polyphenols found in tea leaves that is Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), Epigallocatechin (EGC), Epicatechin gallate which (ECG) and epicatechin (EC). Recently, researchers have focused on amino acids tea, called Theanine. Theanine (also called L-theanine) is the major amino acid in green tea leaves, which give a distinctive taste in tea. Here are the health benefits of green tea:

1. Reducing the risk of heart disease and colorectal cancers.

People who regularly drink green tea significantly, can reduce the risk of death due heart disease or colorectal cancers. According to research in Japan, consuming 7 cups of green tea per day is needed to achieve this long-term profitability. Studies in Japan evaluated 12 251 adults aged between 65 years to 84 years old. The researchers found that compared with those who drank less than a cup of green tea per day, those who drank at least 7 cups per day lowered the risk of death due heart disease by 75%. The researchers is also found that the risk of colorectal cancer 31% lower in those who drank seven cups of green tea a day than those who drank less than 3 cups of green tea a day.

Benefits of green tea on heart disease and colorectal cancer primarily caused by green tea polyphenol levels are high (from 30 to 40%) compared to only 3 to 10% in black tea.

2. Helps fight against esophageal cancer and bladder cancer

A study in 1994 which was published in the official journal of the U.S. National Cancer Institute has shown that drinking green tea can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer by 60%. A study in August 2009 concluded that green tea may be useful against cancers of the bladder.

3. Reducing cholesterol and blood pressure

Studies in Japan is also reported that theanine from green tea can reduce hypertension, but had no effect on normal blood pressure. The Japanese researchers found that theanine lowers cholesterol, increases good cholesterol and prevent the bad cholesterol because of oxidation.

4. Reduce depression and stress

Theanine contained in green tea improve learning ability, remembering and concentrating. That is why historically the monks and scholars drink tea to aid in meditation and study. A study conducted in 2007 found that green tea work synergistically with caffeine to stimulate cell activity in the brain. The researchers found that 100 milligrams of theanine (from 4 cups of tea) is enough to make you focus more on complex tasks.

Green tea contains small amounts of natural caffeine that stimulates. Theanine balancing the stimulatory effect of caffeine on the nervous system. Theanine creates a sense of relaxed within 30 to 40 minutes after consumption in two ways. First, it stimulates the brain's electrical activity to produce alpha waves in the brain. This creates relaxation and mental alertness similar to that achieved through meditation. Then theanine affects brain chemistry to enhance the neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. Components of essential chemicals in the brain produces feelings of well-being and relaxation.

5. Increasing concentrations of study

6. Improving life quality of cancer patients

A Japanese study published in 2002 found that theanine from green tea can help improve the quality of life of cancer patients by optimizing the effectiveness of anti-cancer drugs, and create a relaxing. The study found that theanine increases the concentration of anti-cancer drugs in tumors and reduce the levels of these drugs in normal tissues. The beneficial effects of theanine increases the effectiveness of treatment and reduce side effects. Theanine is also inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. Surveys conducted in Japan, in which green tea is very popular, has found that drinking green tea have reduced incidence of liver cancer, pancreatic, breast, prostate, lung, throat and stomach.

7. Strengthens the immune system

Studies conducted by Harvard Medical School showed that the theanine in green tea boost immunity against colds and flu, and can enhance the powerful immune response.

8. Helps you lose weight

According to a Japanese study in 2004, theanine role is to help this effect. In studies conducted in animals, providing theanine increases metabolism and lose weight, body fat and triglycerides (blood fats).

9. Strengthens bones

Hong Kong researchers have found evidence that green tea may be beneficial to bone. Experiments in their lab, found that one of the main components of green tea (epigallocatechin, EGC) stimulates key enzymes that promote bone growth. Epigallocatechin is also enhance bone mineralization in cells, which strengthens bones and reduces the activity of osteoclasts that weaken bones.

10. Reduce the risk of colon cancer in women

A study by Japan's National Cancer Center found that women who drank at least 5 cups of green tea a day had 20% lower risk for developing, of colon cancer. The researchers say that the components of green tea fight against bacteria associated with colon cancer. In contrast, men do not get anti-cancer benefits of green tea colon.

Besides the health benefits listed above, other studies have shown that green tea is beneficial for diabetes, stress, dental cavities, rheumatism, protection against UV radiation, and viral infections.

How much green tea should you drink?

After knowing so many health benefits of green tea, you might want to immediately prove it. But how many cups a day should you drink? Most studies have found health benefits of green tea in those who drink of three to 10 cups a day. Green tea, even when consumed in large quantities, giving very few side effects. Staining of teeth is probably the most common problems. Using toothpaste containing bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide can prevent this.

Green tea side effects, mostly related to caffeine. Caffeine in green tea can cause problems such as increased the heart rate or insomnia in some people. Caffeine can also cross the placenta and is found in breast milk, which means that pregnant and lactating women may need to avoid green tea. Caffeine can also interact with some medicines. Green tea should not be mixed with adenosine, aspirin, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, blood thinners, chemotherapy, clozapine, ephedrine, lithium, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, oral contraceptives, and phenylpropanolamine. For interactions with other medications, talk with your doctor.

Green tea also contains tannins, which can limit the absorption of iron from fruits or vegetables. Brewed tea with lemon (which is rich in vitamin C) to overcome this..