Green tea, and more recently green tea extracts, have been used for centuries as not only a beverage, but as a medicine as well. Practitioners of natural healing and medicines have long expressed a belief in several health benefits of this popular beverage, particularly on the immune system, and circulatory system. They believe, and research seems to bear out, that it contains catechins, a type of polyphenol with powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. It also provides antimicrobial immune system support, helps support the vascular blood clotting function and helps maintain cholesterol levels already within the normal range. It also appears to support healthy kidney function.
GREEN TEA AND WEIGHT LOSS
A study published in the December 1999 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Urology show that substances which are abundant in green tea extracts may promote weight loss through thermogenesis (the body’s rate of burning calories). It also seems to help in raising the metabolic rate and burning fat. In this study, subjects taking an extract of the tea burned more fat calories than those in a control group. Another interesting point is that the affect was accomplished without the increase in heart rate experienced with more common diet pills and weight loss supplements which often have a stimulant base.
One obesity study indicates that long-term tea drinkers (those who drink tea over a period of years) appear to have lower body fat percentages.
GREEN TEA AND HEART HEALTH
Catechins, substances found in green tea, apparently increase the antioxidant capacity of human plasma, which could help reduce cardiovascular disease risk. This was reported in an article from the American Association for the Advancement of Science: “…(it) shows antioxidant benefits in human plasma”. A recent analysis of many brands found however, that antioxidant levels of common teas have a great deal of variance. Therefore, if you are unsure of the affect of your particular brand, you might consider green tea extracts as an alternative or supplement.
A recent Penn State study supports the view that the flavonoids in tea can reduce the risks for cardiovascular disease. Just to make the news better, the study also found that chocolate had similar health benefits as well. Green tea and its extracts have high antioxidant properties.
In addition to the normally brewed tea which is available in almost any neighborhood grocery store, green tea extract is a handy option for those who like to supplement their nutritional intake without having to find a place and time to actually brew a pot or cup of this potentially healthful beverage.
GREEN TEA AND CHOLESTEROL
Studies have indicated that green tea, and extracts of it, can help lower cholesterol levels.
The author is retired from the Army after 21 years of service, has worked as an accountant, optical lab manager, restaurant manager, and instructor. He has been a member of Mensa for several years, and has written and published poetry, essays, and articles on various subjects for the last 40 years. He developed an interest in health and fitness in the ’70s after reading numerous books, including Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s “Aerobics”. This has led him to continue his personal research into health and fitness for over 30 years, and to pursue course work on health and fitness. He has a website, http://nodiet4me.com which offers information on health, fitness, and weight loss.
