Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea has been around for thousands of years and is more popular than ever. For centuries green tea has been a staple in the diets of many families around the world. And the benefits of this beverage are not just limited to a pleasant drinking taste. Numerous scientific studies have shown that green tea has numerous health benefits and that drinking it can improve your health.

The idea of health benefits related to green tea consumption has been discussed for years. Eastern medicine recognized the benefits of green tea thousands of years ago with Asian families passing down these beliefs through many generations. There are few beverages with such impressive health benefits as green tea. And now it seems the rest of the world has discovered this secret.

As discussed previously, the benefits of green tea are many and far-reaching. The potential health benefits of drinking green tea vary from preventing bad breath to protecting the heart to protecting against some forms of cancer. Many of the benefits attributed to green tea are largely due to its high content of antioxidants. The health benefits of green tea are varied in large part due to its chemical makeup, which has a positive effect on so many different bodily systems. Of course the most publicized benefits revolve around anticancer activities, cardiovascular benefits and even the potential of lowering LDL cholesterol levels.

Besides substantial health claims, green tea has been said to aid in weight loss efforts. It appears that much of the fat loss benefits claimed regarding green tea lies in its thermogenic effects. Whether searching for health benefits, weight loss, or both, some studies have recommended as many as ten cups per day to see benefits. Because green tea contains caffeine, this may pose a problem for some people. Decaffeinated green tea is available but that could cancel some of the thermogenic properties if weight loss is the goal. Health food stores also offer capsules as an alternative to drinking the tea although the health benefits may differ.

As with other types of food and drink, organic teas are becoming recognized as a healthy choice with consumers. Many believe that the organic versions are healthier options while providing environmental benefits. In grocery stores everywhere, the tea aisle has become an absolute joy for organic food shoppers. In addition, it is easy to find a variety of sources on the Internet of quality organic green tea.

Of course, health decisions should not be based on this information alone. It is prudent to check with a medical practitioner on the potential benefits of including green tea in the diet. A medical professional, an herbalist, or local bookstore can provide complete information about the proven and perceived benefits of green tea. As another resource, the Internet is loaded with information and resources on green tea.

Green tea is one of the most popular herbal supplements in the world. Adopting tea drinking as a new habit can be quite challenging but the potential health benefits could prove to be phenomenal.

Brewing
Traditionally, unlike darker teas, green teas are usually brewed using water that is below boiling point (about 80°-90°C), as water that is too hot is believed to turn the tea bitter. Green tea spefically comes from the steamed and dried leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant, which is a shrub native to Asia. The main difference between green tea and black tea is that gren tea is made from unfermented leaves, wheras black tea is made from fermented leaves.