Green Tea Benefits Research Proves Green Tea

By Gabor Timis

Green tea originates from China. The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat many ailments from headaches to depression.
Many other Asian countries like Japan and India have a long history of green tea drinking.

Green tea is high in antioxidants, which may promote stronger bones, lower cholesterol levels, and lower rates of heart disease and even some types of cancer.
Population-based clinical studies indicate that the antioxidant properties of green tea may help prevent atherosclerosis, particularly coronary artery disease.
Miura Y. et al, Tea catechins prevent the development of atherosclerosis in apoprotein E-deficient mice. J Nutr. 2001;131(1):27-32.

Green tea is a good source of EGCG, a polyphenol that reduces inflammation, lowers cholesterol, boosts the immune system and may prevent cancer.
Research shows that green tea lowers total cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol in both animals and people. One population-based clinical study found that men who drink green tea are more likely to have lower total cholesterol than those who do not drink green tea.
Green tea may also prevent cancer.
Shankar S. et al, EGCG inhibits growth, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Front Biosci. 2008;13:440-52.

Green tea is antibacterial.
A 2008 study from Egypt suggests that drinking green tea enhances the effects of antibiotics, even against drug-resistant bacteria and superbugs.

Green tea helps with weight loss.
Nagao T. et al, A green tea extract high in catechins reduces body fat and cardiovascular risks in humans. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2007;15(6):1473-83.

Enjoy the health benefits of this delicious beverage, but do buy the organic green tea to avoid contamination from chemicals (fertilizers).