No doubt you've heard of Green Tea and the health benefits you can experience from drinking it.
Are you giving your family this powerful antioxidant daily?
Here is a refresher on some of the benefits you can experience with Green Tea.
Historically, Green Tea has been one of the world's most popular beverages. The Chinese have been drinking it for thousands of years. It is now the second most popular beverage in the world, after water!
Green tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant...as is black tea. The difference is that Green Tea is unfermented, which means that the powerful antioxidant properties are fully intact.
The power of Green Tea lies in its catechin polyphenols, particularly something called epigallocatechin gallate (say that 5 times fast!). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: not only does it inhibit the growth of tumors, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
Green Tea has been reported to:
*Assist in weight loss.
According to a a study conducted at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, Green Tea seems to help the body burn more calories.
Green Tea also slows down the release of carbohydrate in the body, preventing sharp rises in blood sugar.
I know a couple who lost ten pounds each in the first few weeks after drinking Green Tea every day, with no other changes in their diet.
*Boosts the immune system.
Green Tea is one of the most potent antioxidants available. It also contains some vitamins and minerals. Green Tea lowers the risk of cancer.
In 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking Green Tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in Green Tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
A study in September 1997 by the University of Kansas reported that Green Tea has the highest amount of any known antioxidant. EGCG (that tongue twisting antioxidant found in Green Tea) is 100 times more effective than Vitamin C, and twice as powerful as resveratrol (the antioxidant in red wine).
*Lowers cholesterol
University of California scientists discovered that the caffeine in coffee is bound with coffee bean oils, which raise cholesterol levels.
In contrast, research indicates that drinking Green Tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
Green Tea Benefits Moms
*Helps with morning sickness
There are no studies that confirm this, this is a personal observation.
I had severe, prolonged morning sickness with all 3 of my pregnancies.
With my third child, I discovered Green Tea and noticed that when I drank it, not only did it ease the nausea, but it seemed to have a mildly stimulating effect on my appetite and it helped me keep the food that I ate down. My guess is that the astringent effect of the polyphenols caused this.
Historically Green Tea has been used as a digestive aid. That can certainly be helpful to a pregnant woman.
*Natural energy boost
Again, I could find no studies that proved this, but I drink Green Tea primarily for the natural energy boost it gives me, without any unpleasant side effects. I used to drink a coffee in the afternoon, get shaky and hyper, only to crash later on.
Green Tea doesn't cause those unpleasant side effects, and it also gives me the same feeling of "clearing the cobwebs" from my brain.
What Mom doesn't need this?
*Lowers the risk of blood clots
Green tea has been shown to be effective in preventing abnormal clotting of blood, which is especially important during pregnancy.
Green tea is non-toxic and safe. It doesn't cause birth defects and has no adverse affect on pregnancy or breastfeeding.
In fact, a study conducted at Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California, researchers found that women who drank more than one half cup of green tea every day doubled their odds of conceiving.
No significant association was found for other beverages, researchers concluded that some chemical component of tea might have been responsible for the increase in fertility.
Green Tea Benefits Kids!
*Helps prevent tooth decay
Green Tea can kill the bacteria that causes plaque. Does your child's juice do that?
Having a hard time getting your kid to eat his veggies?
A cup of Green Tea has more antioxidant ability than a cup of broccoli or spinach!
*Helps prevent illness
Previous tests prove Green Tea can neutralize germs, including some that cause diarrhea, pneumonia, cystitis and skin infections.
New research by Milton Schiffenbauer of Pace University finds that Green Tea deactivates viruses.
Recent research at Harvard indicated that tea chemicals stimulated T-cells that bolster immunity against bacteria and viruses.
Would fewer illnesses make life more pleasant in your home?
*Ok, so why aren't you drinking Green Tea already?
If you're like me, it's because the Green Tea you've tried tastes terrible. I've tried many brands that reminded me of diaper rash ointment...no I'm not kidding!
I prefer Sunrider's Fortune Delight tea. Here's to your health!
About The Author
Carrie Lauth publishes a free newsletter for Moms doing things the natural way. Get your free copy plus extra goodies for Moms at http://www.natural-moms.com
All of us know when our lungs aren't quite working... Read More
Those who have watched the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"... Read More
You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you... Read More
Anxiety is a pernicious little devil; it can hold us... Read More
Within each one of us resides the divine healer. All... Read More
I'd like to share with you some basic food combining... Read More
The More The Faster The Better?Or Some Words About The... Read More
Drawing on the inspiration of loaves, fish, and wine, a... Read More
(*In this group are included pain in the back, neck,... Read More
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition that is usually... Read More
There are actually three common types of arthritis. These are... Read More
Shamanic healing is one of the vast numbers of healing... Read More
If you're concerned about the condition of an older family... Read More
Constipation, Hemorrhoids or Piles, and inactivity go hand in hand.... Read More
Each of us most likely has at least one memory... Read More
When the subject is changed, he's in a better, more... Read More
Menstruating or pregnant women should not use Aloe Vera, in... Read More
First showers of monsoon are heartily welcomed by everyone after... Read More
A medicinal beverage in Asia for almost 4000 years, green... Read More
You are about to embark on a journey that only... Read More
At the end of 2004 results from a study on... Read More
I'll admit it ... I'm a spiritual tramp. I've spent... Read More
Tea: It Does the Body GoodStudies that support the health... Read More
Integrating my dark side was a fairly torturous process for... Read More
In Japan, in the early 1920s, Mikao Usui developed Reiki-ho... Read More
What's best?Whenever we are about to invest money, whether it... Read More
What is MYOFACSCIAL RELEASE? Myofascial release is a tender mixture... Read More
Not everybody knows exactly what ergonomic means, but it's getting... Read More
This article first appeared in The Sept. 2004 issue of... Read More
Given below the list of Best Home Remedies for all... Read More
Why do the Japanese have the longest lifespan? Last month... Read More
Tips on Purchasing Essential OilsIt is important to purchase your... Read More
BEWARE OF THE CULTURAL HYPNOSIS We live in a cultural... Read More
One big thing that can keep you from eating healthy... Read More
Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More
I recently attended a metaphysical lecture facilitated by Guy Williams,... Read More
Embarrassing as it may be, we have all suffered from... Read More
America is undergoing a dramatic shift in healthcare. Actually, ten... Read More
Whenever I see the title "men's health", it conjures up... Read More
There are many different treatments for people who stutter/stammer. In... Read More
The near extinct bois de santal has a sensual and... Read More
There are many unpleasant symptoms and diseases associated with constipation.... Read More
We've all heard of massage and many of us have... Read More
Benefits of Cleansing Your Elimination Organs Colon cleansing, kidney cleansing,... Read More
Sleep consumes as much as one-third or more of the... Read More
Here are two constipation remedies that you can use for... Read More
One of the least known and least practiced aspects of... Read More
Here are a variety of natural remedies that you can... Read More
Darker-complexioned teens will always seek a tanning bed or booth.... Read More
Aphrodisiacs are amongst the oldest cures, being ones of the... Read More
Alternative Medicine Alternative Medicine |