Green Tea is a great herb. It does much to add to good health. Green tea, either powdered or in leaf form, has a good content of niacin compounds as well as resveratrol.
Below is extracted from an article 11 Proven Health Benefits of Green Tea in Natural Food Series. The full article is in the link below and you are encouraged to read it all.
We at Himalayan Gold do not validate the article, but we are giving you the opportunity to read the material. Immediately below are some summarized points.
1. Powerful Polyphenols
Green tea has powerful polyphenols that help protect the body from cellular and DNA damage. Polyphenols contain micronutrients that are very effective in protecting the body from degenerative diseases. The bioavailability of polyphenols in green tea is high and hence is useful to protect the cells from internal damage. Polyphenols protect the body from radiation damage and help in strengthening the immune system.
2. Antioxidants
Green tea is packed full of antioxidants and this is because it is un-oxidized. Antioxidants are what keep the body healthy and protected from oxidative damage. Antioxidants create a barrier against the effect of free radicals and prevent degenerative damage. Many diseases are the result of the effect of free radicals cells on different organs in the body. Cancer, heart diseases, strokes and such are all a result of oxidative damage. Antioxidant-rich foods and beverages, such as green tea should be a staple in any diet. The constant bombardment of free radicals from the environment, food, pollution and such can be very harmful.
3. A Healthy Heart
A good diet can be the road to a healthy heart, the recommended amount (per the article this comes from) is for people suffering from heart-related diseases to drink up to 7 cups of green tea per day. The polyphenols in it are water extractable, which make them easier for the body to absorb and the results are immediate. Green tea helps expand the arteries to facilitate the circulation of blood hence preventing blood pressure related problems.
4. A Healthy Liver
A clean liver is a key to absorbing adequate nutrients from the food you eat. Studies have shown the effects of green tea on the liver health. Green tea has diuretic properties that help the liver get rid of toxins through urination. Drinking up to 10 cups of green tea can help prevent liver disease and other complications. The fatty build up in the liver can be the cause of liver failure and many other diseases. Consumption of green tea has a cleaning effect on the toxins in the liver and prevents you from developing visceral fat.
5. Healthy Digestion
It contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which reduces gastrointestinal inflammation to a great extent. The consumption of green tea can inhibit the effects of the interleukin gene, which causes inflammation. Green tea keeps the digestive system in check by reducing the chances of contracting diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and the sudden flare-ups that accompany it. Drinking from 3 to 5 cups a day can drastically improve the performance of the digestive system and prevent problems such as bloating and water retention.
6. Weight Loss
It has proven to be beneficial for weight loss time and again. Almost all dietitians, no matter where they come from advise a person suffering from obesity to elevate his consumption of green tea. Green tea contains caffeine, which negatively affects your body fat, resulting in weight loss. Drinking green tea will help you drop weight faster if it is a part of a well-structured diet regimen. Green tea acts as a stimulant in improving energy levels and enhancing the fat loss process.
7. Blood Sugar
It increases the activity of insulin in the body and controls blood sugar more effectively than any other health drink. Research shows that green tea has the ability to reduce blood sugar levels by half after the consumption of starchy foods. The recommended amount of people trying to control their blood sugar levels is from 1 to 3 cups a day. Regularly drinking green tea will help keep your blood sugar levels in check, but the benefits can best be reaped by drinking green tea with starchy foods.
8. Improved Memory
A research conducted over four weeks of regular consumption showed enhanced activity and connectivity in parts of the brain that deal with a working memory. Research is being conducted to understand the benefits of green tea for diseases associated with memory loss, such as Alzheimer’s.
9. Infection Prevention
Green tea protects the body from urinary tract infections and invigorates kidney health and function. The antimicrobial effects of green tea on E.Coli help keep your gut nice and clean. Green contains high amounts of EGC, which kills the bacteria in the urinary tract.
10. Anti-aging
Being a powerhouse of antioxidants, it is a given that green tea will prevent the damage that free radicals cause to the skin. Even though aging cannot be stopped, it can be slowed down by maintaining an antioxidant-rich diet. Antioxidants promote elasticity in the body and inhibit the degenerative processes occurring in your skin cells. The polyphenols and amino acids in the green tea will help the skin produce collagen and prevent wrinkles. Many skin care products are infused with green tea extract to prevent premature aging.
11. Oral Health
The antimicrobial properties in green tea are also beneficial for overall dental health. It controls the growth of bacteria in the mouth and prevents bad breath as well. Green tea consumption has been used in medicinal practices to prevent the onset of gingivitis and other gum related diseases.
Bottom Line
It should be taken in moderation, up to three cups a day is the recommended amount for a healthy individual. Starting the day off with green tea with a drop of lemon can be beneficial for the overall health of the body.
-------------------------------
McKay DL, Blumberg JB. The role of tea in human health: An update. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002;21:1–13.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Kavanagh KT, Hafer LJ, Kim DW, Mann KK, Sherr DH, Rogers AE, Sonenshein GE. Green tea extracts decrease carcinogen-induced mammary tumor burden in rats and rate of breast cancer cell proliferation in culture. J Cell Biochem. 2001;82:387–398. doi: 10.1002/jcb.1164. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Sueoka N, Suganuma M, Sueoka E, Okabe S, Matsuyama S, Imai K, Nakachi K, Fujiki H. A new function of green tea: prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2001;928:274–280.[PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Dona M, Dell'Aica I, Calabrese F, Benelli R, Morini M, Albini A, Garbisa S. Neutrophil restraint by green tea: inhibition of inflammation, associated angiogenesis, and pulmonary fibrosis. J Immunol. 2003;170:4335–4341. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Haqqi TM, Anthony DD, Gupta S, Ahmad N, Lee MS, Kumar GK, Mukhtar H. Prevention of collagen-induced arthritis in mice by a polyphenolic fraction from green tea. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1999;96:4524–4529. doi: 10.1073/pnas.96.8.4524.[PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Sudano Roccaro A, Blanco AR, Giuliano F, Rusciano D, Enea V. Epigallocatechin-gallate enhances the activity of tetracycline in staphylococci by inhibiting its efflux from bacterial cells. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004;48:1968–1973. doi: 10.1128/AAC.48.6.1968-1973.2004.[PMC free article] [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Sartippour MR, Shao ZM, Heber D, Beatty P, Zhang L, Liu C, Ellis L, Liu W, Go VL, Brooks MN. Green tea inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induction in human breast cancer cells. J Nutr. 2002;132:2307–2311. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Osada K, Takahashi M, Hoshina S, Nakamura M, Nakamura S, Sugano M. Tea catechins inhibit cholesterol oxidation accompanying oxidation of low density lipoprotein in vitro. Comp Biochem Physiol Part C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2001;128:153–164. doi: 10.1016/S1532-0456(00)00192-7.[PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Weber JM, Ruzindana-Umunyana A, Imbeault L, Sircar S. Inhibition of adenovirus infection and adenain by green tea catechins. Antiviral Res. 2003;58:167–173. doi: 10.1016/S0166-3542(02)00212-7. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Weinreb O, Mandel S, Amit T, Youdim MBH. Neurological mechanisms of green tea polyphenols in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. J Nutr Biochem. 2004;15:506–516. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2004.05.002. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Raederstorff DG, Schlachter MF, Elste V, Weber P. Effect of EGCG on lipid absorption and plasma lipid levels in rats. J Nutr Biochem. 2003;14:326–332. doi: 10.1016/S0955-2863(03)00054-8. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Naghma K, Hasan M. Tea polyphenols for health promotion. Life Sciences. 2007;81:519–533. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.06.011. [PMC free article][PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Moyers SB, Kumar NB. Green tea polyphenols and cancer chemoprevention: multiple mechanisms and endpoints for phase II trials. Nutr Rev. 2004;62:204–211. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2004.tb00041.x.[PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Mandel S, Weinreb O, Amit T, Youdim MB. Cell signaling pathways in the neuroprotective actions of the green tea polyphenol(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate: implications for neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurochem. 2004;88:1555–1569. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Higdon JV, Frei B. Tea catechins and polyphenols: health effects, metabolism, and antioxidant functions. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2003;43:89–143. doi: 10.1080/10408690390826464. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Xiang YZ, Shang HC, Gao XM, Zhang BL. A comparison of the ancient use of ginseng in traditional Chinese medicine with modern pharmacological experiments and clinical trials. Phytother Res. 2008;22(7):851–858. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2384. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Cabrera C, Artacho R, Giménez R. Beneficial effects of green tea: a review. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006;25:79–99. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Japanese Green Tea Online.com. http://www.japanesegreenteaonline.comWeisburger JH. Approaches for chronic disease prevention based on current understanding of underlying mechanisms. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(6):1710S–1714S. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Sato T, Miyata G. The nutraceutical benefit, part I: green tea. Nutrition. 2000;16:315–317. doi: 10.1016/S0899-9007(99)00301-9. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Belitz DH, Grosch W. Quı'mica de los Alimentos.Zaragoza: Acribia; 1997. [Google Scholar]
Graham HN. Green tea composition, consumption, and polyphenol chemistry. Prev Med. 1992;21:334–350. doi: 10.1016/0091-7435(92)90041-F. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Vinson JA. Black and green tea and heart disease: a review. Biofactors. 2000;13:127–132. doi: 10.1002/biof.5520130121. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Sano M, Tabata M, Suzuki M, Degawa M, Miyase T, Maeda-Yamamoto M. Simultaneous determination of twelve tea catechins by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Analyst. 2001;126:816–820. doi: 10.1039/b102541b. [PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Khokhar S, Magnusdottir SGM. Total phenol, catechin, and caffeine contents of teas commonly consumed in the United Kingdom. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50:565–570. doi: 10.1021/jf010153l.[PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Fernandez PL, Martin MJ, Gonzalez AG, Pablos F. HPLC determination of catechins and caffeine in tea. Differentiation of green, black and instant teas. Analyst. 2000;125:421–425. doi: 10.1039/a909219f.[PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Chen ZY, Zhu QY, Wong YF, Zhang Z, Chung HY. Stabilizing effect of ascorbic acid on green tea catechins. J Agr Food Chem. 1998;46:2512–2516. doi: 10.1021/jf971022g. [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Chen ZY, Zhu QY, Tsang D, Huang Y. Degradation of green tea catechins in tea drinks. J Agr Food Chem. 2001;49:477–482. doi: 10.1021/jf000877h.[PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
Vanessa C, Gary W. A Review of the Health Effects of Green Tea Catechins in In Vivo Animal Models. J Nutr. 2004;134:3431S–3440S. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Roomi MW, Ivanov V, Kalinovsky T, Niedzwiecki A, RathIn M. In vitro and in vivo antitumorigenic activity of a mixture of lysine, proline, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract on human breast cancer lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Medical Oncol. 2007;22(2):129–138. doi: 10.1385/MO:22:2:129.[PubMed] [CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
NOTE 1: This food is 4% by volume in Super Superfood Greens, and 9% by volume in Super Superfood Gold.
NOTE 2: While these above are amazing reports, our super superfoods do not include high volumes of green tea. If you are ill, please go to a physician. If on the other hand, you want good health by a cross selection of good nutrition, with an associated expected long life, our super superfoods are available for you.
Comments