History
Like other teas, including oolong, black, and white, from the Camellia Sinensis plant, green tea originated in China over 5000 years ago and has been a popular drink in other parts of Asia, specifically Japan, for centuries. Valued for its medicinal properties, green tea has long been known to cure indigestion and reduce fatigue, and it has been used as a cure for everything from headaches to urinary tract infections to depression. Today it is recognized as having properties that help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
Types of Green Tea
Chinese Green Teas
- ChunMee:
- Dragonwell:
- Gunpowder:
- Hyson:
- Pi Lo Chun:
Japanese Green Teas
- Genmaicha:
- Gyokuru:
- Hojicha:
- Matcha:
- Sencha:
Health Benefits
Modern medical study has found green tea to be considerably beneficial to proper health. It's health benefits can be traced to high levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful anti-oxidant that has been found to lower cholesterol, prohibit cancer cell growth, and promote healthy vigorous flow. While green tea comes from the same plant--Camellia Sinensis--as oolong and black tea, it differs in how it is processed. Its unique processing involves the steaming of its leaves, which prevents oxidization of the EGCGcontained within. Unchanged by processing, the EGCG found in the natural green tea plant is left to flourish in the consumer product. A list of specific health benefits currently associated with green tea consumption is as follows:
High in Carotenoids:
Inhibits the growth of cancer cells:
High vitamin content: vitamin K
High mineral content: potassium, aluminum, manganese, and fluoride
May improve the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol:
May be used as antibiotic:
May inhibit certain brain enzymes linked to Alzheimer's disease:
May help the immune system fight viral and bacterial infections:
May help improve memory and slow the development of Alzheimer's disease:
May help strengthen bones:
May help prevent tooth decay and kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque:
May help prevent food poisoning:
Common Green Tea Preparation and Consumption
Brewing:
Pill Extract:
External Links
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Owner: "cory" Last edited on March 30, 2007 11:10 am by "cory"
