Ah, there's nothing you can't be, Just wish and see; Why the world's your Cup of Tea. - Dean Martin
Archaeological Evidence
For centuries drinking tea has been associated with health and wellness. And now a growing collection of clinical research is actually showing that green tea as a phytochemical and nutrient has many powerful qualities that are beneficial to health.
And, did you know, archaeological evidence suggests that tea has been consumed for almost 5,000 years.
A True Tea
Green tea and black tea are made from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis. But green tea is processed different, leaving the leaves largely unaltered so they retain their green color and their vital nutrients remain unoxidized.
All teas including white and oolong varieties, contain the powerful antioxidants EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), catechins and flavonoids. Green tea which is considered a 'true tea' contains them at their highest levels.
Green tea also contains other beneficial molecules such as amino acids and polyphenols that offer their own considerable health advantages.
Amazing!
Green tea is amazing! It has powerful free-radical scavenging properties, it promotes healthy metabolic function and it supports the maintenance of a healthy body weight. It also helps maintain healthful cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Green tea elevates levels of the 'good' HDL cholesterol, which protects against coronary artery disease.
Lower Risk
Green tea has been the subject of many scientific and medical studies over the last few decades to determine it's health benefits. Some of the evidence suggests that regular green tea drinkers are at a lower risk for heart disease and certain types of cancer.
The 'Journal of the American Medical Association' published a 2006 study that concluded; "Green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality due to all causes and due to cardiovascular disease but not with reduced mortality due to cancer." This study (followed over 11 years) found that adults who consumed five or more cups of green tea per day had a 16% lower risk of mortality from all causes, and a 26% lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those who drank less than one cup per day.
Did You Know?
The primary antioxidant in green tea (EGCG) is 100 times more potent than vitamins C & E.
One cup of green tea (delivering 10-40 mg of antioxidant polyphenols) has antioxidant effects greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach or carrots.
Green tea has the highest polyphenol content, while black tea has roughly two to three times the caffeine content of green tea.
Archaeological evidence suggests that people consumed tea leaves steeped in boiling water as many as 5,000 years ago.
Have you had your cup of tea today?
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