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Green tea for health

May 4th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The role of green tea in promoting health has been much in the news in the last few years. There is ample evidence that, consumed in moderation, green tea indeed does aid many aspects of functioning. Some of these benefits have been known for over a thousand years.

The polyphenols, flavonoids and even caffeine (in moderate quantities) present in green tea are all known to help the body protect itself. Green tea helps lower cholesterol (the ‘bad’ kind), absorbs free radicals that can damage cell membranes and reduces the prospect of certain cancers.

Despite Federal FDA denials, many studies lend strong support to those who tout green tea’s benefits. Black tea, as well, has most of the same benefits.

But green tea has many virtues beyond the medicinal. It tastes delightful and provides a relaxing form of enjoyment in a hectic world.

Just as with black or Oolong tea, green tea comes from the leaves of an evergreen called Camellia Sinensis. They are plucked, then processed. But unlike black tea, green tea leaves do not go through a long oxidation process.

Instead, green tea leaves are steamed, which retains the EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) antioxidants. Black and Oolong teas undergo ‘fermentation’ which converts the EGCG into other compounds. ‘Fermentation’ in tea, despite the use of the same word, is not the same process as in winemaking. No sugars are converted to alcohol. It’s simply a synonym for oxidation, more or less.

As a result, the tea flavor is much more delicate and the aroma and taste retain much more of the ‘vegetative’ quality from the original bush. That flavor is enjoyed in a hundred varieties by tea drinkers the world over.

The Long Jing tea from Hang Zhou in China, pan dried and flat in appearance, often goes by the name Dragon Well. This green tea is among the most common drinks in China. Yet for all its commonality, it makes a fine brew. The Gyokuro, also known as Jewel Dew as a consequence of its color, is another fine green tea from China.

The Ryokucha from Japan is a green tea that is so common there that a form of the word (ocha) is often taken to mean simply ‘tea’. Connoisseurs regard the green tea from the Uji region of Kyoto to be among the finest. Matcha is a powdered green tea once used primarily in tea ceremonies. Now it is so popular throughout Japan and elsewhere that it finds its way into ice cream and other sweets.

Gunpowder, which has nothing to do with the explosive, is another popular variety. The leaves are rolled into tiny pellets, making for a very intense infusion. Its muscatel overtones make for a wonderful brew.

There is even a green tea-style Earl Grey. Though without the heady flavor of the more common black tea type, the bergamot oil combines well with green tea.

So if you have always been a committed black tea drinker, it’s time to open up your horizons. It may not make you wealthy, but it can give you enjoyment and promote your health. And isn’t that very wise?

Green tea for health

May 4th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

The role of green tea in promoting health has been much in the news in the last few years. There is ample evidence that, consumed in moderation, green tea indeed does aid many aspects of functioning. Some of these benefits have been known for over a thousand years.

The polyphenols, flavonoids and even caffeine (in moderate quantities) present in green tea are all known to help the body protect itself. Green tea helps lower cholesterol (the ‘bad’ kind), absorbs free radicals that can damage cell membranes and reduces the prospect of certain cancers.

Despite Federal FDA denials, many studies lend strong support to those who tout green tea’s benefits. Black tea, as well, has most of the same benefits.

But green tea has many virtues beyond the medicinal. It tastes delightful and provides a relaxing form of enjoyment in a hectic world.

Just as with black or Oolong tea, green tea comes from the leaves of an evergreen called Camellia Sinensis. They are plucked, then processed. But unlike black tea, green tea leaves do not go through a long oxidation process.

Instead, green tea leaves are steamed, which retains the EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) antioxidants. Black and Oolong teas undergo ‘fermentation’ which converts the EGCG into other compounds. ‘Fermentation’ in tea, despite the use of the same word, is not the same process as in winemaking. No sugars are converted to alcohol. It’s simply a synonym for oxidation, more or less.

As a result, the tea flavor is much more delicate and the aroma and taste retain much more of the ‘vegetative’ quality from the original bush. That flavor is enjoyed in a hundred varieties by tea drinkers the world over.

The Long Jing tea from Hang Zhou in China, pan dried and flat in appearance, often goes by the name Dragon Well. This green tea is among the most common drinks in China. Yet for all its commonality, it makes a fine brew. The Gyokuro, also known as Jewel Dew as a consequence of its color, is another fine green tea from China.

The Ryokucha from Japan is a green tea that is so common there that a form of the word (ocha) is often taken to mean simply ‘tea’. Connoisseurs regard the green tea from the Uji region of Kyoto to be among the finest. Matcha is a powdered green tea once used primarily in tea ceremonies. Now it is so popular throughout Japan and elsewhere that it finds its way into ice cream and other sweets.

Gunpowder, which has nothing to do with the explosive, is another popular variety. The leaves are rolled into tiny pellets, making for a very intense infusion. Its muscatel overtones make for a wonderful brew.

There is even a green tea-style Earl Grey. Though without the heady flavor of the more common black tea type, the bergamot oil combines well with green tea.

So if you have always been a committed black tea drinker, it’s time to open up your horizons. It may not make you wealthy, but it can give you enjoyment and promote your health. And isn’t that very wise?

Drink your green tea: it’s good for you

July 17th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Sally Seidman’s article “Tea — Plenty of It — May Do the Body Good” is a great explanation of green tea’s known and unknown benefits:

One substance in tea, the tongue-twisting epigallo-catechin gallate (EGCG), appears to reduce psoriasis, prostate cancer and colon tumors (at least in animals) and is now an ingredient in a growing number of foods, beverages and dietary supplements. But that’s just one of the components of tea that may have health benefits.

If you haven’t yet added green tea to your daily beverage list, it’s time you did. A simple cup of tea can have immense benefits, but remember that you need to make green tea a daily habit.

Green Tea Cleansing Skin Care - green tea for your face

May 28th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Green tea has become a popular drink because of the evidence that shows green tea has many substances with positive benefits.

So, several companies, recognizing the important substances in tea, have produced green tea cleansing skin care products.

Green Tea Cleansing Skin Care Products Use Natural But Effective Ingredients

Green tea cleansing skin care products are formulated to cleanse and protect the skin. These green tea cleansing skin care products are also used to provide a vibrant look to the skin. The substances in these cleansing products remove the dirt from the skin as effectively as the other products on the market. The green tea that is used in these products has antioxidants that protect the skin throughout the day and night. The green tea cleansing skin care products use other substances including aloe and jojoba which moisturize the skin.

Green tea cleansing products are formulated especially for different skin types just like the traditional products available in the stores.

These products usually have a special product for dry, oily or combination skin types. The green tea cleansing skin care products come in cleansing creams that can be used on a daily basis, but there are also specialty products for deep cleaning the skin. The deep cleansing products such as masques are usually applied on a weekly basis.

Customers will choose the frequency for the use of these special products based on their budgets and skin condition. The companies that offer the skin cleansing creams also offer other products such as moisturizers and toners for additional skin care.

Chinese Green Tea is good for you

May 21st, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Chinese green tea is a refreshing drink, and has health benefits too, which even include longevity.

There is some evidence that Chinese green tea will reduce the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol in the blood. There is also evidence that drinking Chinese green tea could help people avoid rheumatoid arthritis.

Those people with rheumatoid arthritis suffer great pain because of this disease. Some of the people with this condition take strong painkillers just to make it through each day. These drugs are costly and often have side effects including drowsiness. People do not want to go through every day in a fog because of strong prescription drugs.

Chinese Green Tea Has Many Benefits And Few Side Effects

Chinese green tea has been used in China for centuries, and the people in China firmly believe that Chinese green tea has significant and positive effects on their health. Studies support their devotion to this drink. There is some evidence that those who drink Chinese green tea avoid esophageal cancer, and there is other evidence that this great drink helps people avoid other types of cancer as well. Chinese green tea seems to ward off different types of infection. A cup of green tea every day could keep the whole family in much better health.

Green tea seems to have a positive effect on the immune system of those that drink green tea. A stronger immune system will help green tea drinkers stay healthier and live longer. Although green tea has some obvious beneficial effects, there is little evidence that green tea has any adverse side effects. Green tea has caffeine so people should remember that green tea might keep one awake if it is consumed close to bedtime, but there are no other significant side effects known at this time.

Green Tea Side Effects - what are they?

May 16th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Green tea side effects are often a matter of discussion for many people, and some believe that green tea side effects are important and definite. Others speculate that the studies outlining these effects are not clearly proven because there are studies that show conflicting results.

There are few adverse green tea side effects that are a part of the discussion. Most people agree that the only really negative green tea side effect is the presence of caffeine in the drink which can cause insomnia like many other drinks that contain caffeine. There are some other green tea side effects due to the caffeine which can be addictive. People who drink green tea might end up drinking it throughout the day. The good news about these green tea side effects is solved with the availability of caffeine free green tea. Those who love green tea and appreciate the positive green tea side effects can drink the caffeine free drink.

Green Tea Side Effects Are Mostly Positive

There is some evidence that green tea side effects are very positive. The Chinese have used green tea for medicinal reasons for hundreds of years. In the recent past, there have been studies that show some very positive side effects for those that drink green tea. There is some evidence that those who drink green tea do not get certain cancers as much as the general public. There seems to be some very positive news regarding esophageal cancer.

There is also evidence that those who drink green tea on a regular basis lower their cholesterol numbers. Lower cholesterol will lead to a healthier heart. The heart benefits from the effects of green tea so those who consume this beverage on a regular basis will have a greater chance of avoiding heart disease.

There is also some evidence that those who drink green tea on a regular basis will avoid the pain of rheumatoid arthritis. The evidence available shows that there are few adverse effects of drinking green tea and many beneficial side effects of drinking green tea.

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