Add Green Tea for Health!
We can all thank the ancient Chinese for drawing our attention to the wonders that may be found in a simple yet pleasurable cup of green tea.
For hundreds of years, green tea was used to relieve headaches and depression in China. The habit of drinking tea has been passed on and today it is becoming popular because of the many benefits being discovered by regularly drinking this relaxing drink.
Tea comes in many forms and varieties, but there are three uniquely different types of tea.
All tea, whether black, green, or red, comes from the leaves of a warm weather evergreen called Camellia Sinensis. The difference comes in when the leaves are processed.
The longer the leaves are processed, the darker the tea becomes. Thus, green tea is the kind which has undergone the least amount of processing.
Green tea is usually a leaf that has been quickly steamed while the blacks and reds have been dried, crushed and fermented making them appear to be stronger and thus more potent.
Don’t be fooled by this obvious feature, as many believe that the closer it is to its natural state, the more valuable the medicinal and healing properties.
All tea is known to contain polyphenols which is known for giving tea its antioxidant properties and antioxidants are believed to protect our bodies from free radical damage.
ORAC score is used to measure antioxidant amounts, and tea scores higher than many fruits and vegetables. Because of this, you should seriously consider including tea in your daily diet.
Aside from preventing blood clotting, studies have shown than polyphenols can decrease cholesterol levels. Consuming four to six cups a day may also reduce gastric, esophageal and skin cancers. Try searching through the internet and you will see the endless list of ailments, aches, and pains that can be relieved by simply drinking green tea.
Some of the more popular ailments that can be cured are cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and impaired immune functions.
Drinking tea also aids us against digestive disorders, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s while increasing metabolism and fat oxidation. It is even said that green tea helps prevent tooth decay because it kills the bacteria which causes dental plaque.
Whatever your purpose for drinking green tea, it is obvious that everyone can get some benefit from daily intake.
You should be aware however, that not all of the more marketable “herbal teas” are tea at all because many have already been mixed with herbs and spices and other plant parts for flavoring.
These do not offer the health promoting qualities of Camellia Sinensis. You should read ingredients carefully to make certain that you are getting the product that you expect.