Green Tea

Chances are you've heard at least some of the buzz surrounding green tea. Asian cultures have been using green tea and green tea extract to benefit their health for centuries! More recently, celebrities have been claiming it's a "miracle drink" and endorsing its health benefits. So, what's all the fuss?

The secret of green tea is its powerful antioxidant properties that come from a class of chemical substances called polyphenols. Though green, black and oolong teas all come from the same leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, the difference is how they are processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, while the leaves used to make black and oolong teas are fermented and oxidized. The more fermented the leaves are, the lower the polyphenol content. The most active polyphenol in green tea is known as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which works to neutralize free radicals that cause destruction to cells and can leave the body vulnerable to harmful diseases.

There are a great deal of suggested health benefits from green tea, which can be brewed and drunk as a beverage or can have it's components, such as EGCG, extracted from the plant and put into capsules, which are then sold as dietary supplements. Here are just three ways adding green tea or green tea supplements to your diet could potentially have a positive impact on your well being.

1. Weight loss or weight maintenance

Many studies have led researchers to believe green tea consumption boosts metabolism, which may aid in weight loss or weight maintenance. The concentration of polyphenols, specifically the catechins, in the tea helps to boost thermogenesis, or the rate at which your body burns calories. This elevates your metabolism and can help you shed pounds. Adding a green tea supplement to your daily vitamin regimen may help you burn more calories throughout the day.

2. Cancer

Free radicals are naturally-occurring by-products created when the cells in our bodies use oxygen. Unfortunately, environmental toxins, such as UV rays from the sun, pollution, cigarette smoke, etc., give rise to these compounds, which can damage healthy cells and have noticeable, sometimes severe effects ranging from natural aging to the development of health problems, such as certain types of cancer and heart disease. The polyphenols found in green tea help to neutralize free radicals, which could play an important role in fighting off pre-cancerous cells. While several laboratory and population-based studies have shown that green tea may help protect against cancer, it is not possible to tell from these studies whether or not green tea actually prevents cancer in people. Cancer rates tend to be lower in countries such as Japan where people regularly consume green tea and some laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in people have shown mixed results. Further research is still underway, but in the meantime, green tea or green tea supplements are safe for most adults when consumed in moderate amounts.

3. Cholesterol

High cholesterol has become a serious problem for many Americans in recent years, but research shows green tea may lower total cholesterol and may even raise HDL ("good") cholesterol -- how's that for some good news? One small population-based study even found that men who drank green tea were more likely to have lower total cholesterol than those who do not drink green tea.

It almost sounds like green tea is too good to be true! There is one catch -- some people complain about the bitter taste associated with drinking green tea. And doctors don't agree on how much you should drink every day for ideal benefits (it ranges from three to ten cups a day). For those who either don't like the taste or can't abide by drinking ten cups a day, green tea extract is available in supplement form. The amount of extract in supplements can vary, and it is important to read the label closely. Don't forget to ask your healthcare professional about whether you should be taking green tea supplements to help maintain your health.