What Are the Benefits of Green Tea Tablets?

Green tea has become a popular drink, with it's rise attributed to the many known and believed health benefits that it offers. The tea comes from "Camellia sinensis," a species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce the tea. Many of the tea's health benefits have been substantiated by science, while some have not yet been proven. For those individuals who do not care for the taste of green tea (the polyphenols in it give a slightly bitter taste), supplemental tablets are available at health food stores.

Lowers The Risk Of Cancer

• A study by the University of Purdue found that cancer cells are inhibited by a substance found in green tea. Researchers reported to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that the risk of esophageal cancer was reduced in both Chinese men and women. Another study concluded that cancer prevention and cures may be aided by green tea, especially in bladder, breast, ovarian and colorectal cancers. Initial laboratory studies show promising preliminary results dealing with lung, pancreatic, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers.

Weight Loss

• Appearing on the Oprah Winfrey TV show, anti-aging researcher Dr. Nicholas Perricone recommended green tea for weight loss. Clinical studies do suggest that green tea extract may help burn fat by boosting metabolism.

Arthritis

• Chemicals in green tea may help reduce inflammation, and so it is worth trying by individuals who have arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Unproven Benefits

• Many people have reported experiencing success using green tea for a number of ailments. These claims have yet to be validated by the medical profession, and more research needs to be done. That said, unproven claims of benefits include the stopping of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and helping treat multiple sclerosis.

Adding Green Tea Supplements To Your Diet

• The Chinese have used green tea for many ailments for thousands of years, even headaches and depression. Green tea extract is available as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules and tablets, which are made from dried leaves.

Cautions

• Anyone who has heart, kidney or stomach problems should not take green tea or its extract tablets. Women who are breast-feeding or pregnant should also avoid green tea.