by Kathleen Couch

Created on: May 26, 2008   Last Updated: August 17, 2009

Hear ye! Hear ye! All you fine people. I have in this little bottle, the cure! Yes you heard me, the cure! Drink the potion in this bottle, and you will have : a clearer mind, relaxation, cleaner teeth, healthy skin, healthy cardiovascular system, protection against strokes, a stronger immune system, a hydrated body, a skinny body, and better digestion. Ladies and Gentlemen, drinking this fabulous, magnificent drink will fight inflammation, bacteria, viruses, and tumors. There is no finer potion it cures all that ails yah!

This could have been the cry of the "snake oil salesman" of yesterday. Instead it is the attributes given to green tea. Whether you drink your green tea as a cold beverage in a bottle, or as the traditional hot tea you benefit from the antioxidants of green tea. Green tea comes plain, with mint, citrus flavor, or the flavor of other berries and fruits. Although drinking your tea without sugar is better, so calories are not added to your diet, the addition of sugar or honey makes it more palatable to many people. Although some of the studies that have produced the above claims are not totally completed, there are no negative effects of green tea. Even the caffeine level in tea is not a level that produces harmful effects.

Clearer Mind
L-theanine which is the predominate form of theanine in tea has been found to stimulate alpha-brainwaves which bring an alert mental state of mind. It allows the mind to stop racing, thus helping one to focus on the task at hand. The regular consumption of green tea, (1 cup every 2-3 hours) helps maintain a consistent level of alertness.

Relaxation
The effect of theanine is also what promotes relaxation. Because it calms racing thoughts, relaxation is an effect of green tea. For the same reason it improves sleep. One would think caffeine in tea would cause feelings of stimulation, but that has not been found to be true. Relaxation is a result you can experiment with and judge the results. For me, a hot cup of green tea without any sweeteners, truly does relax me.

Cleaner Teeth
Tea contains fluoride which strengthens tooth enamel, and prevents cavities. Flavonoids in tea have an anti-bacterial effect on oral bacteria that cause plaque.

Healthy Skin
When compounds found in green tea were topically applied to the skin before sun exposure, the results of the study indicated that the compounds may protect skin from UV radiation-induced damage. In another study the conclusion was

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