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Green tea is in excellent source of health promoting, disease fighting antioxidants. Many of the antioxidants in tea are unique and can not be found in fruits or vegetables. Green tea in particular contains a wealth of powerful disease fighting polyphenols and flavonoids including thearubigins, epicatechins and catechins.

Antioxidants protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecular compounds that negatively impact the body. They are the molecular "cast offs" of various oxidative reactions occurring within the body and in nature. Free radicals are nature's scavengers. They travel around the body attacking cells, compromising the immune system and facilitate the aging process.

Antioxidants are healing and protective compounds that can be found in fruits, vegetables, tea and other plant related foods. They can quickly and significantly hinder the negative impacts that free radicals have on the body. As a result antioxidants can prevent the onset of various illnesses and diseases including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and Parkinson's. Antioxidants can also reduce the signs of aging, lower LDL cholesterol levels, promote healing and prevent infection.

Green tea originates from the Camellia sinensis plant and is processed differently from other teas. The tea leaves are withered and steamed but are not fermented like black or oolong teas. Fermentation leads to the oxidization of the leaves and reduces the potency of the antioxidants found within the tea leaves. Because green tea leaves are not fermented the antioxidants remain in tact.

EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate is one of the most notable and powerful antioxidants found in green tea. EGCG has been studied for its ability to inhibit the onset of various diseases particularly heart disease and cancer. The potency of this particular antioxidant catechin is unmatched and is what makes green tea so incredibly healthy.

Green tea packs a disease fighting health promoting punch and studies indicate that the combination of antioxidants found within green tea are tens times as powerful as those found in fruits and vegetables. Just two cups a day can be extremely beneficial to the health and well being of the body. The antioxidants in green tea can thin the blood, prevent the formation of blood clots, lower blood pressure, increase the metabolism, promote weight loss, maintain healthy teeth and bones and regulate blood sugar.

There are no calories, sugar or hidden fats in green tea. In addition to having an abundance of polyphenols and flavonoids it is also an excellent source of vitamin A, C, and E as well as manganese, chromium selenium and zinc.

Learn more about this author, Krista Tannahill.
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