What if I told you that I had something in my kitchen cabinet that...
Would you be even more interested? If you’ve been looking for that “miracle cure,” that “magic bullet,” then I am so glad that you are here today. That “magic bullet” you’ve been looking for? I have it. And so do millions of other people around the world. You can find it easily in your local grocery store. You may even already have some in your pantry! you’ve mostly likely heard about antioxidants and how good they are for you. Antioxidants are chemical constituents within a natural nutrient that fight the action of free radicals on living cells. Free radicals are found in everything from sunlight to food to the air we breathe. Free radicals do damage to the structure of cells by interfering with their atomic structure so that they cannot replicate in a healthy way. They reprogram cells in a way that eventually leads to cell decay and cell death. Tissues are broken down and rearranged in ways different than what we were born with. If left unchecked, free radical damage leads to overt evidence of aging such as wrinkles and thin skin, deadly disorders such as cancer and cardiovascular problems, oral problems such as tooth decay and cold sores and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. Green tea is prized as a panacea for all that ails us today because research has shown that the drink contains the antioxidant power needed to prevent and even reverse these problematic physical conditions.
| Green tea contains antioxidants properties, polyphenols, theanine, as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. To understand green tea benefits for one's health, all you have to do is take a closer look at the compounds... Polyphenols Polyphenols are a class of phytochemicals found in high concentrations in green tea, and have been associated with heart disease and cancer prevention. The slight astringent, bitter taste of green tea is attributed to polyphenols. Tannins A group of simple and complex phenol, polyphenols, and flavonoid compounds. Produced by plants, all of the tannins are relatively resistant to digestion or fermentation. Catechins Catechins are a category of polyphenols. In green tea, catechins are present in significant quantities, more specifically; epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG makes up about 10-50% of the total catechin content and appears to be the most powerful of the catechins, with antioxidant activity about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E. A cup of green tea may provide 10-40mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots or strawberries. Flavonoids Flavonoids are plant pigments, and are the brightly colored chemical constituents found in most fresh fruits and vegetables. They may aid in protecting against infection. Theanine An amino acid that produces tranquilizing effects in the brain, theanine is a unique amino acid found in the leaves sencha. Theanine is quite different from the polyphenols and catechin antioxidants for which green tea is typically consumed. Three to four cups of sencha are expected to contain 100-200 mg of theanine. |
Healthy And Lean With Green Tea
By: Terry Gates
Green tea has been enjoyed for centuries in formal Chinese tea ceremonies. It has long been believed to relieve headaches and body aches, increase energy, prevent disease and aid digestion.
Although many tests have been inconclusive and others are still under way, some of the health claims by green tea proponents are:
Longer life
Weight loss
Increased ability to survive after a heart attack
Antioxidants to combat free radicals
Cavity fighting
Higher metabolism, more calories burned
Cancer prevention
Lower cholesterol
Detoxification of blood
Liver function support
Bone density maintenance
Reduced inflammation
Alzheimer's prevention and treatment
Lower risk of diabetes and heart disease
Green tea contains a group of polyphenols known as catechins. The most studied and effective compound is epigallocatechin gallate, better known as EGCG. A growing number of published scientific studies propose that it does protect against cancer and heart disease and aid weight control. It is used as a fat loss aid used in some dietary supplements.
The side effects of green tea are few and mild. They are mainly due to the caffeine content, which the Buddhist monks of the 8th century discovered helped keep them awake during long meditation sessions. Actually, green tea has just enough caffeine to give you a lift, but not enough to cause nervous jitters. It would take four cups to equal the amount of caffeine in just one cup of brewed coffee. There are 8 to 20 mg. of caffeine in green tea, compared to 40 to 60 mg. in black tea and 90 to 150 mg. in coffee. The best known effects of caffeine include increased intellectual activity, improved reading speed, more energy, increased heartbeat, improved alertness, quicker reaction times and a brighter mood. Too much caffeine, on the downside, can cause insomnia, headaches, irritability and muscle tension.
Because of the caffeine content, there are some possible drug interactions. If you are taking any medicines with the ingredients codeine, ephedrine, psedoephrine, theophylline, atropine, aminophylline or warfarin you should consult with your physician and pharmacist before taking green tea products.
Green tea is available in tea bags, loose leaves, and prebrewed in bottles. It is available in caffeinated and decaffeinated varieties. There is also a product called Matcha, which is made of powdered tea leaves that are simply mixed into hot water. If you are not a fan of the flavor, it can also be found in tea blend sodas and fruit juice beverages, tablets, extracts, nutrition bars and liqueur.
Green tea contains zero calories. Just substituting it for higher calorie beverages, particularly soda, will help you reduce your overall calorie intake and help you feel full and more energetic. While nobody knows exactly how much of the active ingredient, EGCG, is necessary, most researchers agree that to reap the benefits, just three to four cups a day are all that are needed.
Article Source: http://ezarticles.net
Terry Gates is a freelance writer with experience on green teaand weight loss.