by Bruce Gilbert

Created on: May 25, 2007   Last Updated: June 17, 2008

There are so many sugary drinks available to us such as sodas, sweet
tea, cool-aid, etc. I have found that drinking large quantities of
these liquids can leave you feeling tired and depressed, not to
mention being harmful to your teeth with all of the sugar content.

A healthier choice I have found to be is green tea. It is very
refreshing and I have found it to give me more energy and assist me maintain alertness throughout a bust workday. The Chinese have known the benefits of green tea since ancient times, often using green tea to heal headaches and depression.

Green tea contains a high level of EGCG, a powerful anti-oxidant known
to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease as well as strengthening
the immune system. In addition, the leaves for green tea are steamed
preserving the EGCG anti-oxidant, which makes it healthier than
other Chinese teas such as black tea.

Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

Green tea has also been known to reduce the risk of cancer, and arthritis, decrease the possibility of infections and assist in the overall immune system preventing sickness and disease. Men in Japan have known to be especially healthy when it comes to lower incidences of heart disease and cancer. Even though many Japanese men smoke, they don't develop the same rate of high disease as American men who smoke.

You can find green tea everywhere in this day and age in forms such as Lipton
bottles teas, tea leaves, and even a concentrate that you mix in with
your bottles water. Green tea is equally good hot as it is cold. And green tea, does not necessarily have to be green. I have tried blueberry and raspberry green tea, and they are quite delicious! I have even tried green tea ice cream, although I don't recommend it as much. Some flavors were just not meant to be turned into icecream.

The only negative side effect to drinking green tea, is it does contain caffeine which could cause you to stay awake. It does not contain as much caffeine as drinking coffee, however.

I hope you will enjoy the taste and health benefits of green tea as
much as I do, if you are not already doing so!

Learn more about this author, Bruce Gilbert.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.