You might just think that Green Tea is one of those normal, everday drinks with not much going for it, but even from its first use, people have known it to be a health boosting beverage like no other.
Background info
The invention of Tea in 2737 B.C by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung (or Shennong) was brought about by a leaf from the Camellia Sinensis plant falling into his boiled water, which was then presented to him unnoticed by his servants.
The Emperor thought that the beverage was delicious and began regularly drinking tea.
Green Tea was used by the Emperor when tasting herbs, it is thought it was used as an antidote for the poisons in those herbs. After testing, more than seventy herbs were acknowleged as being poisonous and were curable by consumption of Tea.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
Anti Cancer
The New Scientist magazine published on the 20th March 2004 suggested that a range of cancers could be protected against by drinking just three cups or more of Green Tea a day.
Cancers that could be protected against are;
Lung Cancer
Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
As with any natural cancer fighting substance, the focus is put on Antioxidants.
Hiofumi Tachibana’s team from Kyushu University stated that the antioxidant most prevalent in Green Tea is EGCG, or Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate, found in some plants but most concentrated in Green and White Teas, but not Black Teas.
Research shows that human lung cancer cells with the 67 LR receptor will grow significantly slower after a couple of cups of Green Tea.
One study concluded that people drinking Green Tea on a daily basis were less likely to develop lung cancer than people who did not drink it, who are thought to have a 5 x greater chance of developing it.
Smokers are thought to be more than 12 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those drinking Green Tea. (Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8453628.stm)
Anti-HIV
EGCG has also been noted to have potential Anti-HIV properties and may help to protect against Sjögren’s syndrome
Increasing Metabolic Rate
According to trials at the University of Birmingham, it is indicated that Green Tea can raise the metabolic rate, improve the speed of fax oxidation and improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.
Catechin polyphenols in Green Tea cause the body to produce more heat, through thermogenesis, increasing energy usage.
Reduces Cognitive Decline and Impairment
In 2006 a Japanese study concluded that elderly people, consuming 2 cups of Green Tea a day or more had slashed their chances of cognitive impairments by 50 percent.
This is in comparison to people who did not drink atleast 2 cups of Green Tea a day or who consumed other beverages.
EGCG is thought to be the cause of this.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Green Tea polyphenols have been shown to reduce the inflammation of intestines in mice.
Bad Breath
At the University of Illinois in Chicago, polyphenols in Green Tea were shown to halt the ‘bad breath’ bacteria growth.
Reduces likelihood of Parkinsons Disease
Due to the caffeine present in Green Tea, there is a link to reducing the likelihood of developing Parkinsons Disease.
Short term memory increase
Caffiene in Tea can increase the short term memory.
Caffiene has also been linked to an increase in athletic performance, reduction of headaches, treating asthma and weight loss.
Green Tea can reduce the risk of a Stroke
The International Stroke Conference in 2009 provided research data saying that drinking more than three cups of Green Tea per day can reduce (by 21%) the risk of suffering from a Stroke.
Depression
Japanese studies show that Green Tea has anti-depressant qualities, with higher amounts of consumption leading to a higher anti-depressant result.