Grean Tea, Help or Hype? Pros & Cons!
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Green Tea, Help or Hype?
Green tea has been the most popular drink in Asian countries for centuries. But, in the Western world, black tea has been overwhelmingly more popular than green tea until recently. But, as we have learned more about green tea’s unique taste and many health benefits, it has gained popularity all over the world.
Green tea, like black tea, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. The difference between green and black tea comes from how the tea is processed. Black tea is fermented during processing; green tea is not. After the tea leaves are plucked, they are laid out to wither for about 8 to 24 hours. hype
Where Does Green Tea Come From?
Green tea is grown mostly in Asian countries where a plant called Camellia sinensis is from. This particular plant is also used to make many of the black tea varieties that people have enjoyed for thousands of years.
Although both teas get their start from the same basic plant, there are some major differences between the two in appearance, flavor and health benefits.
While flavor and appearances are what most people notice between green and black tea, the fundamental benefits of green tea versus black are also very much worth noting. The distinct differences between green and black tea arise from the processing that is involved in making each variety.
What Makes Green Tea Different From Black?
The processing involved in making black and green tea varieties varies rather greatly. The end result is two different kinds of tea from the exact same plant. hype hype hype
1. Green Tea:
- When the intent is to make green tea from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis, the leaves are picked and then steamed or heated almost immediately.
- These leaves are then dried for tea. Green tea tends to undergo much less processing than other forms of tea.
- In fact, green tea is considered one of the purest forms of tea used for human consumption.
- As it is with many other foods, the lack of processing does make a difference in the nutrients and health benefits attached to the end product.
2. Black Tea:
- The distinction between green and black tea comes in following the drying process.
- Unlike green tea leaves that are ready for consumption after drying, black teas also undergo a process known as oxidation.
- During this extended drying process, unfortunately, many of the nutrients and antioxidants are removed from the tea leaves.
- While some black teas do boast antioxidant properties, they are hard-pressed to rival the benefits of green tea.
Green Tea And Health Benefits:
1. A rich Source of Anti-Oxidants:
What are anti-oxidants? Anti-oxidants neutralize free radicals or unstable molecules in the body that can eventually become unfriendly and wreak havoc on the cells. Free radical damage can cause everything from sun damage to hardening of the arteries.
Green tea will help you bulk up on the anti-oxidant warriors that help to both lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease by controlling blood pressure.
2. Combating Most Cancers:
Green tea has been shown to lower rates of cancer in Asian populations. The cancers studied and which have been recorded include bladder, colon, esophagus, pancreas, rectal and stomach. New evidence suggests green tea may also help prevent prostate cancer, as well.
3. Help With Arthritis:
Studies also suggest it is possible anti-inflammatory and arthritis preventing effects in green tea although, Iíll admit, solid scientific evidence was difficult to come by. By simple suggestion, I will give green tea an A for effort in the arthritis category.
4. Decreasing LDL Cholesterol:
Green tea may lower low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol levels in the blood, according to several short studies. But it is not known whether the effects of this tea resulted in fewer deaths. In addition, the evidence does not support the claim that this tea reduces the risk of coronary artery disease.
5. Diabetes:
There is some evidence that green tea may help control blood glucose levels. However, this has not been widely tested in people and more research is needed. hype hype
As you can see, the healthful benefits of drinking green tea have not been proved in human trials to any degree of confidence, though some recent studies in Japan have found that its consumption does result in a decreased risk of many cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia including Alzheimer’s.
6. Liver Protection:
- Green tea has been proven to protect liver cells by stimulating the immune system.
- Green tea protects the liver by warding off toxins such as alcohol and cigarette smoke.
7. Teeth Protection:
- Green tea has been thought to promote oral health (although scientific proof was difficult to come by here, too).
- Green tea is supposed to work against bacteria, protecting teeth from cavities.
8. Heart Disease:
Some studies show that drinking this tea may curb several risk factors for heart disease, such as weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. However, America’s FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has refused to allow labels on packets of green tea to claim that the tea contributes to a healthy heart, on the grounds that this claim is not supported by credible scientific evidence.
9. Weight Loss:
- Here is another benefit that will raise many an eyebrow. Several sources claimed that green tea may actually help to stimulate weight loss. Yes!
- Green tea contains polyphenols (molecule compounds) that actually help the body to burn weight and regulate both blood sugar and insulin levels.
Tea Making & Drinking:
You get more antioxidants from freshly brewed tea, compared with other forms of the drink such as instant tea and decaffeinated tea. However, to maximize the anti-oxidants in green tea, you need to steep the tea for at least three minutes; five minutes is ideal.
Most people in most countries drink their tea hot. America, of course, is the exception about 85% of the tea drunk in the US is iced tea. The problem is that iced tea often contains relatively small amounts of catechins compared with hot tea. This is due to the way iced tea is made.
Iced tea is usually made by boiling water to which tea is added. Once the tea has been stewed for about five minutes, the liquid is cooled by adding water to double its volume, after which it is refrigerated.
Adding water dilutes the concentration of catechins. To make sure that your iced tea contains the same amounts of antioxidants as your hot tea, allow for the dilution by adding 50% more tea than usual to the boiling water.
The Bad News:
” Negative Side Effect”:
- The only negative side effect has found is the simple recorded cases of insomnia due to naturally occurring caffeine in green tea.
- It looks like there is only 30-60mg in 6-8 ounces of tea, however.
- That’s less than half the caffeine content of coffee which weighs in at 90 mg. per 8 ounce cup.
Unnatural Concentrations:
One study found that the particular catechins found in green tea if taken at extremely high doses may damage DNA. But to do so, consumption would have to be many hundreds of times greater than the amounts that could be obtained from drinking vast quantities of tea, which, for me, makes the finding pretty irrelevant.
Similar results from consuming unnatural concentrations of other antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C, have been obtained in human trials.
FAQ’s About Green Tea:
1. How much is green tea enough to reap the benefits?
No one seems to be too sure about the answer to this question, either. Let’s be realistic, most people could easily drink 3-4 cups of green tea daily. This is a good round number and one that I came up with based on its frequency in the research studied. hype hype hype hype
A suggestion: why not try replacing your usual cup of coffee with a clean dose of health?
2. Where to get a good cup of tea?
Check out your local grocery for my favorite:
Lipton, there is plenty of others, but I like the way Lipton aims to zip up green tea with variety. They even have an orange, passionfruit & jasmine flavor that’s delish!
If drinking tea really isnít your thing, but you still want the benefits ñ no problem! Green tea is now available in capsule form, too. This could be as close as your local pharmacy. Check around.
In Summation:
In this scientist’s opinion, green tea is well worth your consideration. The simple speculation of benefits is enough to get excited about it. It is easy to digest, tastes good and, hey, if it helps me with my goal of wellness and illness prevention, Iíll take ample tea time, any day!
If you find this article useful, don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, as you might help someone in need. Thanks.
Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment of any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
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