| For years, green tea was consumed almost | | | | powerful health protectors you can consume as part |
| exclusively in Asia. For centuries, green tea has been | | | | of your diet. Green tea may be effective in: |
| used by Chinese herbalists to treat many health | | | | -Reducing your risk of some forms of cancer - Many |
| maladies from menstrual difficulties to headaches. In | | | | different studies have supported the finding that |
| China and Japan, most people drink green tea all day | | | | green tea can prevent and possibly even help treat |
| long. | | | | some forms of cancer. The first interest in green |
| However, here in the Western world it has gained | | | | tea's health benefits resulted from statistics showing |
| popularity only in the last few years. There are many | | | | that Asian cultures, where green tea is the most |
| ways to enjoy green tea, and many things to learn | | | | commonly consumed beverage, have the lowest |
| about it. There are several differences between | | | | incidences of cancer in the world. |
| green tea and other types of tea. | | | | Some studies have even shown that green tea |
| Processing - Green tea comes from the same plant | | | | compounds can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, |
| as black tea, but it is processed differently. Green | | | | slowing the progress of the disease. It appears that |
| tea, however, is not fermented like black tea. | | | | tea may be most effective at preventing bladder, |
| Green tea leaves are laid out to wither for about 8 | | | | colon, rectal, esophageal, bladder, liver, lung, |
| to 24 hours after plucking to allow most of the | | | | pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. |
| water to evaporate. Next, to prevent the oxidation | | | | -Lowering Cholesterol - Tea has been shown to be |
| (fermentation) process, the leaves are steamed or | | | | effective in lowering LDL cholesterol (the bad |
| pan fried. Finally the leaves are rolled and then dried | | | | cholesterol). It appears that tea's anti-oxidants work |
| again, unlike black tea leaves, which are cut. | | | | with HDL cholesterol to help transport bad cholesterol |
| Flavor - Because green tea is in a very natural state, | | | | to the liver, where it can be passed from the body. |
| it tastes more plant like than black tea. Most people | | | | Tea also appears to inhibit the formation of abnormal |
| describe green tea as having a somewhat "grassy" | | | | blood clots, which are the leading cause of heart |
| taste. It is green and somewhat pale in color, and can | | | | attacks and strokes. |
| become bitter if over brewed. Green tea can have | | | | -Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis -Tea's anti-oxidants may |
| subtleties and differences in aroma and flavor based | | | | have the power to help prevent rheumatoid arthritis. |
| on the variety of the tea plant and the region in | | | | In some studies, it has even been suggested that |
| which the tea is grown. | | | | green tea may be able to ease symptoms of those |
| In addition, there are many flavored green teas. | | | | already suffering with this disease. |
| Green teas are blended with herbs or fruit to create | | | | -Help Lose Weight - Tea's combination of catechins |
| a wide variety of flavors. Many people who don't | | | | and caffeine appear to speed up the metabolism and |
| enjoy the taste of plain green tea love the | | | | may help with weight loss. In addition, it appears that |
| combination of green tea with other flavors. | | | | using green tea as a diet supplement causes fewer |
| Serving method - Green tea needs cooler water than | | | | instances of jitteriness and rapid heart rate than |
| any other tea for proper brewing. | | | | other diet supplements. It may also help regulate |
| Water for green tea should be purified and heated to | | | | insulin in the body, which can be beneficial for |
| about 160°F. It can be enjoyed with sweetener, | | | | diabetics. Many studies have shown that lifelong tea |
| milk or lemon if you prefer. Green tea can also be | | | | drinkers tend to weigh less and have less body fat |
| enjoyed cold. Keeping a pitcher of iced green tea in | | | | than non tea drinkers. |
| your refrigerator lets you enjoy its health benefits all | | | | -Prevent Alzheimer's disease - Studies suggest that |
| day long. | | | | tea drinkers may also be less likely to develop |
| Caffeine Content - Green tea contains only about | | | | Alzheimer's disease. Though the subject requires far |
| half the amount of caffeine as black tea. Black tea | | | | more research, it has also been suggested that green |
| contains about 40 mg of caffeine per serving, while | | | | tea's potent anti-oxidants may even have the power |
| green tea contains just 20. In addition, caffeine in tea | | | | to slow down the progress of Alzheimer's disease in |
| has been shown to be less likely to cause jitters than | | | | those already suffering. |
| other caffeinated beverages. | | | | Most people in the Western world still drink black tea |
| Health Benefits - Green tea has received a lot of | | | | over green tea. But, as you can see, there are many |
| attention in recent years because it has been shown | | | | health reasons to make green tea a part of your |
| in research to be very effective at preventing many | | | | regular diet. Green tea may be an important way to |
| diseases and even in treating some. The natural | | | | protect your health and prevent disease. And, it's |
| anti-oxidants in green tea make it one of the most | | | | delicious, too! |