by Cynthia Wall

Created on: September 07, 2008   Last Updated: September 16, 2011

For the last few years, green tea has been big in the news as a great health drink. It is touted as giving protection against everything from tooth decay to cancer with heart disease being a big item in the list. Camellia sinesis (green tea) is different from other teas because of the way it's processed. Its leaves are steamed (rather than fermented), thus leaving EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) a potent anti-oxidant, intact. Some studies have shown that EGCG is more effective at lowering LDL cholesterol levels and preventing blood clots than the reserveratrol in red wine and here we thought the French knew everything.

Green tea relaxes blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. It may also improve the ratio between HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol). It maintains the health of epithelial cells lining the blood vessels, thus helping to prevent clogging. A recent study in JAMA showed that green tea reduced the incidence of death from heart attack and stroke. Green tea is also being credited as a cancer preventative, but the studies on that relationship are less conclusive than those for heart protection. Green tea does contain caffeine, however, so people who are sensitive to caffeine should limit their tea intake in the evening hours.

Did you know that green tea is second only to water in world-wide consumption. In fact, the ancient Chinese proverb says "Better to be deprived of food for three days than of tea for one." Some of the benefits of green tea may be associated with the lifestyles of societies which consume it in great quantities. Asian cultures, known for high tea consumption, also practice meditation, tend to favor fish and vegetables, and tend to exercise more. A person who sips tea in the evening is not drinking beer in front of the television. A person who sips tea enjoys the warmth and relaxation the beverage inspires and is usually more in tune with the needs of his or her body. Green tea has been said to help dieters by stimulating calorie burning. Obviously, weight loss is another key to a healthy heart.

Green tea contains more anti-oxidants than broccoli or strawberries. It's the perfect beverage to accompany any meal and is a restful, healty drink in between meals. Its healing and protective benefits have been known to the Chinese for over 4000 years. So, the rest of us are a little late in hearing the news, but now is a great time to enjoy a cup of tea and make it green, please.

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