FruitAndVeggieSense: Best Beverage: Green Tea

Best Beverage: Green Tea:

About:

Green tea is a type of tea that is made from Camellian sinensis leaves that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation process used to make oolong teas and black teas.

Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have powerful effects on the body. Some believe it to be the healthiest beverage on the planet. Its effects include improved brain function, fat loss, lower risk of cancer, and many other impressive benefits.

History:

The consumption of green tea has its legendary origin in China during the reign of Emperor Shennong. A book written by Lu Yu in 600 - 900 AD(Tang Dynasty) is considered important in green tea history. The Kissa Yojoki written by Zen priest Eisai in 1211 describes how drinking green tea may affect 5 vital organs, the shape of tea plants, flowers and leaves, and how to grow and process tea leaves.

Healthe Benefits of Green Tea:

I. Green tea contains bioactive compounds compounds that improve health. It is loaded with polyphenol antioxidants including a catechin called EGCG.

II. Compounds in green tea can improve brain function and make you smarter. Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee but enough to produce an effect. It also contains the amino acid L - theanine, which can work synergistically with caffeine to improve brain function.

III. Green tea increases fat burning and improves physical performance. Green tea has been shown to boost the metabolic rate, and increase fat burning in the short term, although not all studies agree.

IV. Antioxidants in green tea may lower your risk of some kinds of cancer. Multiple studies have shown that green tea drinkers have lower risk of various types of cancer including, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colorectal cancer.

V. Green tea may protect your brain in old age , lowering your risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson"s. The bioactive compounds in green tea can have various protective effects on the brain. They may reduce the risk of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's , the 2 most common neurogenative disorders.

VI. Green tea can kill bacteria, which improves dental health and lowers your risk of infection. The catechins in green tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria and some viruses.

VII. Green tea may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.

VIII. Green tea may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Green tea has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol as well as protect LDL particles from oxidation.

IX. Green tea can help you loose weight and lower your risk of obesity. Some studies show that green tea leads to increased weight loss and may be particularly effective at reducing abdominal fat.

X. Green tea may help you live longer. Studies have shown that green tea drinkers are likely to live longer than non tea drinkers.