Todays Health Article

March 20th, 2012

Today you most likely heard  about green tea, and it’s health benefits. But what you may not know… are actually what are the health benefits, how you might obtained these healthy benefits, and how much should you drink?

Green Tea originated from the country of China and then further became known through out Asia. Green tea has just become more wide spread in the western civilization recently, although they have in the past, been black tea drinkers.

 There are Many Varieties of Green Tea

Where the confusion starts to set in is that  there are many varieties of green tea now being grown. Also these varieties of green tea can differ substantially due to the growing conditions, production, and processing. I have included a link  below this article  for further reading that may be beneficial.

What are the Actual Benefits of Green Tea?

Within the last few decades green tea has been subjected to several studies to determine its benefits to those who drink green tea. These medical studies have found that regular green tea drinkers may have lower risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancer. Continuing with the medical studies, they have shown that green tea does not raise the metabolic rate enough to activate immediate weight loss, a green tea extract containing polyphenols and caffeine, has been shown to induce thermogenesis and stimulate fat oxidation, boosting the metabolic rate 4% without increasing the heart rate.

Flavonoids in an average cup of green tea is higher than that in the same volume of other food and drink items that are traditionally considered of health contributing nature, including fresh fruits, vegetable juices or wine.

Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals in most plant products that are responsible for such health effects as anti-oxidative and anticarcinogenic functions.

However, based on the same USDA survey, the content of flavanoids may vary dramatically amongst different tea products.

Green tea’s antioxidants, called catechins, scavenge for free radicals that can damage DNA and contribute to cancer, blood clots, and atherosclerosis. Grapes and berries, red wine, and dark chocolate also have potent antioxidants.

How to obtain the Green tea benefits

Because of green tea’s minimal processing — its leaves are withered and steamed, not fermented like black and oolong teas. Simply by choosing the desired taste, which may be by visiting you local tea house, or by buying a few at a time. The key is to look for those who have the least additives and preservatives. Tea houses are the easiest to try several varieties of teas.

The Real Question is “How Much do I Drink?”

But there’s still a question of how much green tea do you need to drink to reap its health benefits.Many people still confuse about how much green tea should be drank everyday  to provide certain health benefit for us.

Is a cup of green tea enough, or should be drinking more? this articles is explaining about how much cups of green tea shouldwe drink to get its beneficial effects.There are no real side effects of drinking green tea.

The problem that green tea might impose on our health, is if green tea is taken over the daily recommended levels.

Experts recommend at least 3 cups of green tea per day to effectively lose weight.

Taking over 6 cups a day can cause palpitations (when you can hear your heart beating or irregular heart beating) due to caffeine overdose. The average cup of green tea contains anywhere from 8 to 20 mg of caffeine, while black tea contains at least twice that amount — 40 to 60 mg.

Overdose (quantities more than 300 mg caffeine, more than 5 cups/day) can lead to negative effect on the CNS and irritation of the stomach.

Most of the research showing the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically consumed in Asian countries-about 3 cups per day (which would provide 240-320 mg of polyphenols. A cup (200 mL) of green tea (Gun Powder,Hangzhou, China) contains about 142 mg EGCG, 65 mg EGC, 28 mg ECG, 17 mg EC,and 76 mg caffeine.

Researchers at Japan’s Tohoku University studied 1003 subjects over age 70, comparing their green tea intake and mental sharpness, using a Mini-Mental State Examination, a well-accepted standardized test for measuring cognitive function. Drinking more than 2 cups a day of green tea slashed odds of cognitive impairment in elderly Japanese men and women by 64%! And a Japanese cup of green tea is much smaller than its American counterpart-only about 3.2 fluid ounces. At every level of cognitive impairment-from minimal to severe-those drinking the most green tea experienced significantly less mental decline than those drinking the least. Compared with elderly Japanese who drank less than 3 cups a week, those drinking more than 2 cups a day had a 54% lower risk of age-related declines in memory orientation.

Todays Health Comments

Today, Green Tea is becoming more and more popular amonst tea drinkers for its taste as well as it’s health benefits. Though I drink tea on an occasion or two… it is something my family enjoys on a routine basis. I do believe the benefits certainly are beneficial to our health. Green tea will most likely benefit those who consistently drink on a regular basis.

Further Reading

 http://todayshealthsite.com/how-may-you-become-green-tea-smart.html

Varieties of Green Teas

Todays Health Article

January 28th, 2011

We all get caught up sometimes, more often than not, in the media or marketing hype of certain foods, drinks, or sometimes tea. What may be good for one person may not be for another. How may we become Green Tea smart?  This article is presenting, what I have found to be beneficial for you, “Green Tea Lovers”, and also perhaps, some surprising facts that may have an impact on how Green Tea may relate to one’s health.

Green Tea Is…

Made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates from the country of China. Green Tea has become familiar with many cultures in Asia, Japan, South Korea to the Middle East.

It was not til recently, Green Tea has become more widespread in this country, where black tea  has  traditionally been the tea drank. There are many varieties of green tea have been created in countries where they are grown. These varieties can differ substantially due to various growing conditions, production processing, and harvesting time.

How many Varieties Can You Name?

Many varieties have been provided here with their links.Aracha · Bancha · Bi Luo Chun · Chun Mee · Da Fang · Genmaicha · Guapian · Gunpowder · Gyokuro · Hojicha · Hou Kui · Huang Shan Mao Feng · Hyson · Kabusecha · Kamairicha · Konacha · Kukicha · Longjing · Matcha · Mao Jian · Mecha · Meng Ding Gan Lu · Sencha · Shincha · Tamaryokucha

 How Many Health Benefits Can you Name?

Over several decades green tea has been the subject of  many scientific and medical studies.Why, to determine the extent of it’s long-purported health benefits. There are some evidence, suggesting that regular green tea drinkers have:

• A  lower chances of heart disease and developing certain types of cancer.
•  Green tea does not raise the metabolic rate enough to produce immediate weight loss. Green tea extract containing polyphenols and caffeine. This has been shown to induce thermogenesis and stimulate fat oxidation,  boosting the metabolic rate 4% without increasing the heart rate.
• According to a survey released by United States Department of Agriculture in 2007, ^“The average content of flavonoids in a cup of green tea is higher than that in the same volume of other food and drink items that are traditionally considered of health contributing nature, including fresh fruits, vegetable juices or wine.”
• Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals in most plant products that are responsible for such health effects as anti-oxidative and anticarcinogenic functions.
• Green Tea contains a special compound called theanine, which has been known to stimulate alpha brain waves, calm the body, and promote relaxed awareness
• Theanine and Caffeine – The  2007 breakthrough studies found that green tea regenerates damaged brain cells and is a viable treatment option for multiple sclerosis patients
• Tea and High Blood Pressure… A 2004 study found that regular tea drinkers are 65% less likely to develop high blood pressure if they drink more than two cups a day.
• Tea and Insulin Sensitivity. A study discovered that drinking 6 cups of tea per day for 8 weeks reduces blood sugar levels by 15% to 20%.
• Tea and Smoking. A study conducted by the University of Arizona found that it reduces cellular damage by 25%.
•  Tea can help. Unlike soft drinks, tea is non-erosive. It also fights mouth viruses and reduces bad breath.
• UK Scientists found that tea is healthier than pure water. They dispelled the common belief that tea dehydrates. Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, it also has many other health benefits.

What are the Side Effects of Green Tea?

Tea contains about half the amount of caffeine found in coffee, The consumption of green tea is unlikely to cause problems for the majority of people, however if you are sensitive to caffeine, here are the symptoms to watch out for: restlessness, irritability, sleeping problems, tremor, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, upset stomach, nausea, frequent urination, and skin rash may occur.

• If you have a sensitive stomach. Stomach upset is the second most common complaint after caffeine. A 1984 study concluded that “tea is a potent stimulant of gastric acid, and this can be reduced by adding milk and sugar.” Tea and Stomach Gastric Irritation
•  Green tea contains caffeine, catechins and tannic acids. All three substances have been linked to pregnancy risks.
• Tea is known as a “negative calories” beverage. Not only does it contain virtually no calories, it also block the absorption of certain nutrients.
• One concern is iron mal absorption. A 2001 study reports that green tea extract reduces the absorption of non-heme iron by 25%.
• A 2005 study found that long-term drinkers develop protective mechanism by having heavier parotic glands. The protein rich saliva neutralises the harmful effect of tea tannin
• Drinking too much tea can be dangerous. Especially if the tea is low quality or contains Fluoride
• Green tea, like any other tea beverages, can interfere and interact with certain medications.

Tea and Medical Interaction

Green tea contains caffeine which can increase heart rate and blood pressure, though people who consume caffeine regularly, don’t seem to experience  long-term effects. Caffeine can also increase blood sugar level and Diabetics patients should drink it cautiously.

Those with psychological disorders, especially anxiety or panic disorders, and overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.

Finally, if you have any other health concerns,  Consult with your health adviser before drinking green tea.

Todays Health Comments

Today more and more varieties of drinks have become available  literally, at our finger tips, just ready to drink. The task is to become Green Tea Smart, understand the fine print on their labels, and understand there are health benefits as well as side effects from these drinks. If you are taking medications, understand the complications and consult with your Doctor. For those loving your Green Tea, I hope this Article has made you Green Tea smarter.

Upcoming articles on Health Drinks…

Why they are becoming popular, and why we should consider choosing them part of our daily diet.

What are the health benefits and the facts.

How much should we drink?

Can there be too much of a good thing and what are the side affects if any.

These questions and facts  will be answered shortly by 

 CLICKING HERE