Green Tea

For as long as 5,000 years, people have consumed tea leaves steeped in boiling water. But tea – and green tea, especially – is much more than just a beverage: Studies suggest that it may aid in weight loss, reduce cholesterol levels, and even help treat or prevent cancer. Once available only as a drink, green tea is now available as an extract in capsule form and is an ingredient in weight-loss and energy supplements, and even topical beauty treatments.

Green tea is made from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, as white, black, and oolong teas. The difference is in the processing: Green and white teas are made from unfermented leaves and contain in the highest concentrations of polyphenols, a type of antioxidant. (Herbal and rooibos teas aren’t really teas at all, but are made from different mixtures of plants). One of the most powerful antioxidants in green tea is called epigallocatencin gallate, or EGCG. Tea also contains caffeine (although white and green teas have two to three times less than black, and all teas have significantly less caffeine than an equal serving of coffee), which contributes to its ability to improve alterness.

Traditionally valued in China and India for its properties as a stimulant and diuretic, modern medicine has shown that green tea can also boost mental processing. Research also suggests that it can slow the growth of some cancers and benign skin tumors; increase metabolism and help burn fat; and reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Most research has studied the impact of 1 to 10 cups of green tea a day, and the beverage is safe for most adults when used in these quantities. However, people taking blood-thinning medications may find that the vitamin K in green tea makes their treatments less effective. For those taking does of green tea in capsule form, a few cases of liver problems have also been reported.

Additional Facts

1. It is suspected (but not proven) that green tea and EGCG may help protect against sun damage, so they are now popular ingredients in sunscreens and other skin-care products.

2. Early research using a green tea combination product was thought to have shown some success in helping women conceive, although more research on green tea alone needs to be done.

3. When sold as a beverage, green tea is often classified by the region in which it was grown. The most expensive varieties from southwest China can cost up to $150 a pound.

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Green Tea – Fighting Bacteria and Viruses

In 2007, researchers reported that green tea catechins fight bacteria by attacking DNA gyrase, an enzyme necessary for bacterial reproduction and the target of many antibiotics. Other studies demonstrate more specific antibacterial applications for green tea. At a 2005 symposium of the American Chemical Society, researchers provided evidence that green tea extract kills several common food-borne bacteria, including salmonella. The results of a 2001 study in the Journal of Medical Microbiology show that green tea fights streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus bacteria, both of which contribute to tooth decay. And in 2003, researchers reported using green tea to inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for strep throat and tooth decay.

Green tea also has antiviral properties. Researchers investigated the effects of green tea catechins on the influenza virus. According to the results of their study, published in 2005 in the journal Antiviral Research, two catechins, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG), inhibited viral reproduction. In 2008, Chinese researchers published a study in the same journal showing that green tea extract inhibited the hepatitis B virus in laboratory settings.

Protecting Against Cognitive Impairment

In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006, researchers surveyed a group of 1,003 subjects over the age of 70 about their green tea consumption. After comparing the survey data against the rate of cognitive decline experienced by the study’s participants, the authors wrote, “The prevalence of cognitive impairment decreased with increasing frequency of tea consumption”. They concluded that “higher consumption of green tea is associated with lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in humans”. While more research needs to be done in this area, initial results are promising.

The Bottom Line

Because of the wide-range health benefits of green tea on so many different systems in the body, it makes sense to drink green tea and take green tea supplements to promote and preserve good health.

Green Tea Fast Facts

Uses and Benefits: Green tea acts as an antioxidant, helps protect against cancer, fights bacterial infections and tooth decay, lowers cholesterol levels and may delay the onset of atherosclerosis.

Sources: The most common source of green tea is an infusion made from tea bag or loose tea leaves. Green tea extracts and capsules are also widely available.

Special Considerations: Drink green tea without milk, which may bind with some beneficial compounds in the tea and make them unavailable to the body. Some experts suggest drinking four to 10 cups of green tea a day; if this seems like too much, consider a green tea supplement. Be aware that green tea contains small quantities of caffeine.

Black tea does not offer the same health benefits as green tea. Unlike green tea leaves, which are gently steamed, black tea is fermented, a process that destroys polyphenols.

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Green Tea

Rich in antioxidants. May help to prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels. Thought to aid digestion, prevent cavities and slow signs of aging.

Dragonwell

Legendary tea from the Zhejiang province is entirely handmade producing flat jade green leaves leading to a mellow-sweet tea with chestnut undertones. Plucked and processed according to the ancient methods of ‘Cha Ching’, or the ‘way of tea’. Dragonwell is historically known for promoting mental alertness.

Golden Jade

Glistening gold and silvery jade tea buds are elegantly intertwined, creating an extraordinarily beautiful and delicious blend of green and black teas.

Gyokuro Imperial

The finest of Japanese teas, Gyokuro bushes are covered in shade weeks before harvest to increase the chlorophyll content of the leaves. The results are dark green leaves with high concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids. Celebrated for its emerald green infusion and sweet aftertaste.

Matcha

Traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony, this top qulity green tea powder is hand-made from the youngest Gyokuro leaves. In addition to the health benefits of Gyokuro, Matcha is extremely rich in vitamins (A, B-complex, C, E and K) and is a natural source of dietary fiber.

Pi Lo Chun

This rare tea is grown in the famous Dong Ting Mountains of China, amidst the shade of apricot, plum and peach trees. These young leaves are allowed to absorb the delicate fruit fragrances until the youngest buds and leaves are harvested, then hand-rolled into downy spirals, unique to this type of tea.

Sencha

Sencha literally means ‘roasted tea’, in which sweet green tea leaves are artfully cylindrically shaped and dried following traditional Japanese techniques. With a fresh vegetal taste, this favorite has a quality beyond the ordinary.

Three Kingdom Mao Feng

This wondrous handmade young downy green tea from the Fujian Province evokes the essence of a low lying mist kissing rolling hills of tea during harvest season.