Medicinal Uses of Green Tea
Tea has been enjoyed for over 500,000 years, and is still a very popular drink today. In Eastern cultures, tea has played a significant role in maintaining good health. Research bears out some of these claims of the medicinal properties of green tea. Green tea is made from the dried, unfermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The primary health benefit of green tea is associated with its high concentration of antioxidants.-
Cancer Prevention
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Green tea contains a high concentration of flavonoids called catechins. In laboratory tests, these compounds demonstrated a greater ability to stop cell damage caused by harmful oxygen molecules called free radicals. In a process not fully understood by scientists, green tea distinguishes healthy cells and cancer cell, and disintegrates the latter. Several studies have supported these initial findings including a 2004 study published in the book "Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics". Researchers found that green tea showed a protective effect against gastrointestinal factors. Research is ongoing.
Heart Disease Prevention
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Studies have suggested that green tea may have other medicinal uses related to heart disease prevention. Green tea prevents atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries, by lowering the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides found in the blood. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that green tea consumption inhibited the absorption of lipids or fats in the intestines that the body uses to make cholesterol. However, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration has not authorized these claims by tea producers.
Weight Loss
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One of the more controversial medicinal uses of green tea has been as a weight-loss remedy. The theory is that green tea helps weight loss by increasing your body's metabolism and helping it burn fat. A 2007 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition came to a similar conclusion. Researchers found that weight loss accelerated with consumption of green tea and caffeine, adding credence to these claims.
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