Green Tea Health Benefits

For hundreds of years, people have enjoyed green tea for its delicious taste and variety of health benefits. Green tea contains health-boosting antioxidants, known as polyphenols. In fact, green tea has 10 times more polyphenols than fruits and vegetables, according to Dr. John Weisburger. These antioxidants help destroy free radicals in the body. While some studies have linked green tea to reductions in heart disease and cancer, more research is needed before we can have a complete understanding of its benefits.

Heart Disease

• A great deal of research on animals, including a study conducted by the University of Bari in Italy, has found that the antioxidants in green tea can reduce blood pressure and improve heart function. Other studies have discovered that green tea can help reduce cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol during digestion. More research is needed to determine exactly how green tea impacts the cardiovascular system, but a review published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that regular consumption of green tea--at least five cups per day--can help maintain heart health. The FDA is not fully satisfied about the link between green tea and heart health, so expect to see more research on this topic in the future.

Cancer

• Some very exciting research has determined that green tea may have anti-tumor properties and may play a role in reducing the risk of cancer. People in Japan, who regularly drink green tea, have low rates of cancer. Researchers at UCLA found that the polyphenols in green tea may impact the proteins required for tumor growth and slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Likewise, studies on ovarian cancer patients have shown that women who drink green tea lived longer with the disease than women who did not. There is not enough conclusive evidence for doctors to recommend green tea as a treatment for cancer, but research continues.

Weight Loss

• There is some speculation that green tea may aid in weight loss. In Japan, obese patients on a diet who were given 583 mg of green tea extract each day lost more weight and body fat than those who were given only 96 mg of extract. Other studies have shown that green tea will not prompt weight loss on its own, but it may help dieters lose more weight in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It is not yet known why this occurs, but researchers speculate that the polyphenols in green tea may increase metabolism.

Other Benefits

• Green tea has traditionally been used in Asian cultures to regulate blood sugar and it may play a role in helping people avoid or control diabetes. A study conducted in Japan at Osaka University of nearly 20,000 men and women found that people who drank more than six cups of green tea a day reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 33%. Green tea has also been linked to lower rates of liver disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Reap the Benefits

• While the specific health benefits are not confirmed, most health experts agree that tea is an exceptionally healthy beverage. You can do your body a great favor by drinking tea instead of soda or other high-calorie beverages. Get the most out of your green tea by using boiling water and steeping it for at least three minutes. After your green tea has brewed, throw in a slice of lemon or tablespoon of lemon juice. Studies have shown that the addition of lemon juice to tea helps the body absorb more of the antioxidants.