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The Power of Green Tea
A steaming cup of Green tea packs a powerful punch of antioxidants. These molecules occur naturally in vegetables including spinach and carrots; have been synthesized for inclusion in dietary supplements -- and even face and body creams. Antioxidants are believed to slow the aging process and boost the immune system.
The human body constantly produces unstable molecules called oxidants -- also commonly referred to as free radicals. Free radicals promote beneficial oxidation that produces energy and kills bacterial invaders. In excess, however, they produce harmful oxidation that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. Oxygen is necessary for human life. But oxygen has two aspects, one beneficial and one malign. The oxygen we breathe is conveyed to every part of the body where it plays a key role in metabolism. Active oxygen is a problem because it can combine with anything in the body and oxidize it with consequent destruction of cell membranes, damage to DNA and oxidation of lipids (fats). All of these can lead to diseases like cancer.
One example is the process by which active oxygen combines with lipids (fats) in the body to create lipid peroxide -- lipid with an excessive amount of oxygen. Lipid peroxide is thought to be a harmful substance that can trigger diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes. Since lipid peroxide is more easily generated and less easily purged as age advances, it tends to accumulate in the body.
Lipofuscin, called the aging pigment, also accumulates in the body in proportion to age and is considered to be an index of aging. But lipofuscin is itself created by lipid peroxide, which suggests a connection between aging and lipid peroxide. One way to slow aging may, therefore, be to prevent the production and accumulation of active oxygen and lipid peroxide in the body. It has been shown that the higher the concentration of the powerful antioxidants vitamins E and C in the bodies of animals, the longer they live. This suggests that active consumption of agents that are effective antioxidants will restrain the aging process. We already know that green tea is rich in those vitamins that possess this antioxidizing capability.
There are three types of tea: Black, Oolong, and Green tea. All varieties of tea come from the leaves of a single evergreen plant, Camellia sinensis. All tea leaves are picked, rolled, dried, and heated. With the additional process of allowing the leaves to ferment and oxidize, black tea is produced. Possibly because it is less processed, green tea contains higher levels of antioxidants than black tea.
Although tea is consumed in a variety of ways and varies in its chemical makeup, steeping green tea for about five minutes releases over 80 percent of its catechins. Instant iced tea, on the other hand, contains negligible amounts of catechins.
Here are just a few known health benefits of drinking green tea:
Boosts your immune system
Lowers blood sugar
Helps prevent cavities and tooth decay
Slows the aging process
Helps reduce the risk of cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Aids in weight loss by burning calories
Reduces high blood pressure
Prevents arthritis
Reduces the risk of heart disease
Reduces the risk of stroke
Lowers the risk of blood clot
National Cancer Institute (NCI) researchers are investigating the therapeutic use of green tea. One recently completed but unpublished NCI trial studied the anti-tumor effect of green tea among prostate cancer patients.
Other ongoing NCI studies are testing green tea as a preventive agent against skin cancer. For example, one is investigating the protective effects of a pill form of green tea against sun-induced skin damage while another explores the topical application of green tea in shrinking pre-cancerous skin changes.
In addition to including fruits and vegetables, be sure to include steeped Green tea in your daily diet!
A steaming cup of Green tea packs a powerful punch of antioxidants. These molecules occur naturally in vegetables including spinach and carrots; have been synthesized for inclusion in dietary supplements -- and even face and body creams. Antioxidants are believed to slow the aging process and boost the immune system.
The human body constantly produces unstable molecules called oxidants -- also commonly referred to as free radicals. Free radicals promote beneficial oxidation that produces energy and kills bacterial invaders. In excess, however, they produce harmful oxidation that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. Oxygen is necessary for human life. But oxygen has two aspects, one beneficial and one malign. The oxygen we breathe is conveyed to every part of the body where it plays a key role in metabolism. Active oxygen is a problem because it can combine with anything in the body and oxidize it with consequent destruction of cell membranes, damage to DNA and oxidation of lipids (fats). All of these can lead to diseases like cancer.
One example is the process by which active oxygen combines with lipids (fats) in the body to create lipid peroxide -- lipid with an excessive amount of oxygen. Lipid peroxide is thought to be a harmful substance that can trigger diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes. Since lipid peroxide is more easily generated and less easily purged as age advances, it tends to accumulate in the body.
Lipofuscin, called the aging pigment, also accumulates in the body in proportion to age and is considered to be an index of aging. But lipofuscin is itself created by lipid peroxide, which suggests a connection between aging and lipid peroxide. One way to slow aging may, therefore, be to prevent the production and accumulation of active oxygen and lipid peroxide in the body. It has been shown that the higher the concentration of the powerful antioxidants vitamins E and C in the bodies of animals, the longer they live. This suggests that active consumption of agents that are effective antioxidants will restrain the aging process. We already know that green tea is rich in those vitamins that possess this antioxidizing capability.
There are three types of tea: Black, Oolong, and Green tea. All varieties of tea come from the leaves of a single evergreen plant, Camellia sinensis. All tea leaves are picked, rolled, dried, and heated. With the additional process of allowing the leaves to ferment and oxidize, black tea is produced. Possibly because it is less processed, green tea contains higher levels of antioxidants than black tea.
Although tea is consumed in a variety of ways and varies in its chemical makeup, steeping green tea for about five minutes releases over 80 percent of its catechins. Instant iced tea, on the other hand, contains negligible amounts of catechins.
Here are just a few known health benefits of drinking green tea:
Boosts your immune system
Lowers blood sugar
Helps prevent cavities and tooth decay
Slows the aging process
Helps reduce the risk of cancer
Lowers cholesterol
Aids in weight loss by burning calories
Reduces high blood pressure
Prevents arthritis
Reduces the risk of heart disease
Reduces the risk of stroke
Lowers the risk of blood clot
National Cancer Institute (NCI) researchers are investigating the therapeutic use of green tea. One recently completed but unpublished NCI trial studied the anti-tumor effect of green tea among prostate cancer patients.
Other ongoing NCI studies are testing green tea as a preventive agent against skin cancer. For example, one is investigating the protective effects of a pill form of green tea against sun-induced skin damage while another explores the topical application of green tea in shrinking pre-cancerous skin changes.
In addition to including fruits and vegetables, be sure to include steeped Green tea in your daily diet!
