What are the health benefits of green tea?

Green tea, native to China and India, has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally, but has only recently gained popularity in the US.
Tea is considered the most consumed beverage in the world behind water, however 78% of the tea consumed worldwide is black and only about 20% is green.¹
All types of tea except herbal tea are brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis bush. The level of oxidation of the leaves determines the type of tea.
Green tea is made from un-oxidized leaves and is the least processed type of tea and therefore contains the most antioxidants and beneficial polyphenols.
Green tea was used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine to control bleeding and heal wounds, aid digestion, improve heart and mental health and regulate body temperature.⁴ Recent studies have shown green tea can potentially have positive effects on everything from weight loss to liver disorders to type 2 diabetes.
This Medical News Today information article on green tea provides a nutritional breakdown and an in-depth look at its possible health benefits, the different forms of green tea, and some precautions when consuming green tea.

Nutritional breakdown of green tea

Unsweetened brewed green tea is a zero calorie beverage. The caffeine contained in a cup of tea can vary according to length of infusing time and the amount of tea infused.

Green tea is becoming increasingly popular in the US

In general, green tea contains a relatively small amount of caffeine (approximately 20-45 milligrams per 8 oz cup), compared with black tea which contains about 50 milligrams and coffee with 95 milligrams per cup.²
Green tea is considered one of the world's healthiest drinks and contains the highest amount of antioxidants of any tea. The natural chemicals called polyphenols in tea are what are thought to provide its anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the most studied and bioactive polyphenol in tea and has been shown to be the most effective at eliminating free radicals.^{1, 4}
Green tea is approximately 20% to 45% polyphenols by weight, of which 60% to 80% are catechins such as EGCG.¹

Possible health benefits of green tea

Below are the potential health benefits associated with green tea:
Cancer:
According to the National Cancer Institute, the polyphenols in tea have been shown to decrease tumor growth in laboratory and animal studies and may protect against damage caused by ultraviolet UVB radiation.
In countries where green tea consumption is high cancer rates tend to be lower, but it is impossible to know for sure whether it is the green tea that prevents cancer in these specific populations or other lifestyle factors.⁴
One large-scale clinical study compared green tea drinkers with non-drinkers and found that those who drank the most tea were less likely to develop pancreatic cancer, particularly women, who were 50% less likely to develop the disease.
Studies have also shown the positive impacts of green tea on breast, bladder, ovarian, colorectal, esophageal, lung, prostate, skin and stomach cancer.
Researchers believe that it is the high level of polyphenols in tea that help kill cancerous cells and stop them from growing, however the exact mechanisms by which tea interacts with cancerous cells is unknown.
Other studies have shown a lack of preventative effects of tea on cancer. The amount of tea required for cancer-preventive effects has also varied widely in studies - from 2- 10 cups per day.¹
In 2005, the FDA stated that "there is no credible evidence to support qualified health claims for green tea consumption and a reduced risk of gastric, lung, colon/rectal, esophageal, pancreatic, ovarian, and combined cancers."¹
Heart Disease:
A 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality due to all causes, including cardiovascular disease.
The study followed over 40,000 Japanese participants between the ages of 40 and 79 for 11 years, starting in 1994.
The participants who drank at least 5 cups of green tea per day had a significantly lower risk of dying (especially from cardiovascular disease) than those who drank less than one cup of tea per day.
Another study found that consuming 10 cups of green tea per day can lower total cholesterol, however, consuming 4 cups or less had no effect on cholesterol levels.¹
Type 2 Diabetes:
Studies concerning the relationship between green tea and diabetes have been inconsistent. Some have shown a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes for green tea drinkers than for those who consumed no tea, while other studies have found no association between tea consumption and diabetes at all.¹
Weight Loss:
Green tea may promote a small, non-significant weight loss in overweight and obese adults; however, since the weight lost in the studies were so minimal, it is unlikely that green tea is clinically important for weight loss.
Other studies have found that green tea is helpful in preventing dental cavities, stress, chronic fatigue, treating skin conditions and improving arthritis by reducing inflammation.

Recent developments on the benefits of green tea from MNT news
Green tea or coffee may reduce stroke risk. Drinking green tea or coffee on a regular basis is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, according to a study published in the journal Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.⁵
Green tea may help fight prostate cancer. British researchers have scientifically proven that broccoli, turmeric, green tea and pomegranate help fight the most common cancer in men in the United States and the United Kingdom - prostate cancer.⁶

Forms of green tea

Green tea is available bottled and sweetened with sugar or an artificial sweetener, in single tea bags, loose-leaf, and in instant-powder. Green tea supplements are sold in capsule form or liquid extracts.
According to 2010 research presented at the American Chemical Society, bottled teas are not equivalent to brewed teas as some 16-oz bottled teas can contain fewer polyphenols than one cup of brewed tea.¹
Green tea extract ointments have been approved by the FDA to topically treat genital warts.

Precautions and risks

There are little to no known side effects or contraindications to drinking green tea for adults. Those with severe caffeine sensitivities could experience insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nausea or upset stomach.³
Those taking anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin/warfarin should drink green tea with caution due to its vitamin K content.³
If taken with stimulant drugs, green tea could possibly increase blood pressure and heart rate.³
Green tea supplements however, contain high levels of active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications.⁴ Green tea supplements are unregulated by the FDA and may also contain other substances unsafe for health or with unproven health benefits. Always check with a physician before starting any herb or supplement regimen.
In particular, pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with heart problems or high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, stomach ulcers, or anxiety disorders should not take green tea supplements or extracts.⁴

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Green Tea Polyphenols May Cause Liver Damage In High Doses

The polyphenols present in green tea plants or herbs could pose health risks to humans if extracted and packaged in highly concentrated doses, says a new University of Toronto study published in the current issue of Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

In small mammals, green and black tea phenolics -- a class of chemical compounds found in plants that include polyphenols -- have been proven to contain antioxidants that help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Findings such as these have helped to make these teas popular choices among health-conscious tea drinkers around the world.

Working with a team of graduate students, Professor Peter O'Brien of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy injected low and concentrated doses of polyphenols into mice. At low doses, "good" polyphenols protected the liver or isolated liver cells against oxygen radicals, while "bad" polyphenols caused liver toxicity at high concentrations.

"The low concentration is roughly equivalent to what people consume when they drink green or black tea," O'Brien says. "But the health benefits are not clear as only a small amount of the polyphenols in the teas seems to get absorbed across the intestine. We won't know how much is absorbed or metabolized without running large clinical trials involving humans."

O'Brien has no plans to stop drinking green or black tea anytime soon, but cautions those who might want to exploit the antioxidant and health promoting properties of tea polyphenols against consuming concentrated doses in pill form as this could create more health problems than it might fix.

"New drugs are subjected to exhaustive clinical trials," he says. "Our findings demonstrate that there simply isn't enough known at this time to substantiate green tea's health-promoting properties if taken in high concentrations."

http://www.utoronto.ca

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Coffee Protects Alcohol Drinkers From Liver Disease

Drinking coffee protects alcohol drinkers from developing liver disease, says a new study carried out at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, California, USA. According to the researchers, one cup of coffee per day lowered the incidence of cirrhosis of the liver for alcohol drinkers by 22%.

Study leader, Dr. Arthur Klatsky, stressed that alcohol drinking, especially excess drinking, is linked to various different physical risks. As such, said Klatsky, the study's findings should not be interpreted as a licence to booze to your heart's content. He advised people not to consumer more than three alcoholic drinks a day.

This is not the first study to link coffee consumption to less liver disease. Another study published in Gastroentorology in December, 2005, had similar findings.

This new study was much larger than last years'. The new study was able to look more into each cause of cirrhosis and how coffee is linked a lower incidence of them.

The Kaiser Permanente study looked at information on 125,000 people with healthy livers from 1978 to 1985. Information had been collected about their alcohol, coffee and tea drinking habits. Of the 330 people who had developed cirrhosis of the liver by 2001, 199 had done so as a result of consuming alcohol. The researchers found that the incidence of cirrhosis went down 22% for each cup of coffee consumed per person per day.

You can read about this study in the Archives of Internal Medicine, June 12 issue.

Scientists are still unsure what it is in the coffee that provides the protection. It cannot be the caffeine because tea has caffeine but does not provide the same protection. Clinical trials are needed to further identify the relationship between coffee and how it lowers the incidence of liver disease.

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Drinking Tea Is Better For Health Than Plain Water

If you drink three or more cups of tea a day you might be doing your health more good than drinking plain water, say researchers from King's College, London, UK. This new study found, among other things, that the urban myth that tea dehydrates could not be further from the truth - tea hydrates as well as water does, say the researchers.

You can read about this new study in the The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Not only will tea rehydrate you, it may also protect you from developing heart disease, and even cancer. Apparently, three or more cups a day may also protect your teeth and strengthen your bones. The researchers say they are not sure why, but believe that flavonoids, polyphenol antioxidants, which are found in abundance in tea, may play a major role. Flavonoids help prevent cell damage.

Team leader, Dr Carrie Ruxton, a Public Health Nutritionist, said tea is better for you than water because all water does is rehydrate you. Tea rehydrates you and provides antioxidants. With tea you get two benefits.

Dr. Ruxton, in a BBC interview, said "Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid. Also, a cup of tea contains fluoride, which is good for the teeth."

The team found that people are drinking less tea in the UK than they used to - possibly because they are consuming more soft drinks. The biggest tea drinkers in the UK are over 40 years old.

The Research was funded by The Tea Council.

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Is Bottled Tea Another Junk Drink?

A study revealed that bottled tea contains very low levels of antioxidants and polyphenols compared to brewed tea, a presentation at the 240^th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society revealed. In fact, the researchers found that in order to get the same benefits found in a single cup of brewed tea, in some cases the consumer would have to drink 20 bottles of bottled tea.

Shiming Li, Ph.D. who reported on research carried out by Professor Chi-Tang Ho, explained:

Consumers understand very well the concept of the health benefits from drinking tea or consuming other tea products. However, there is a huge gap between the perception that tea consumption is healthy and the actual amount of the healthful nutrients - polyphenols - found in bottled tea beverages. Our analysis of tea beverages found that the polyphenol content is extremely low.

Bottled tea is not only poor in levels of health-improving ingredients for which tea is famous, but it often contains high quantities of sugar and some other substances - substances the health-conscious consumer may be trying to avoid, Li pointed out.

Li and team measured polyphenol levels in six brands of tea bought from supermarkets. Half of them contained "virtually no antioxidants" while the rest had small quantities of polyphenols which would most likely carry little health benefit, especially when the high sugar content was taken into consideration.

What are polyphenols? A chemical which is known to protect against some health problems, as well as some of the effects of aging. A polyphenol, a type of antioxidant, protect cells and chemicals in our bodies from the damage caused by free radicals. Polyphenols can block the actions of some enzymes that help cancer growth. All brewed tea contain polyphenols. Put simply, polyphenols may protect against cancer, anti-inflammatory conditions and diabetes.

Li said:

Someone would have to drink bottle after bottle of these teas in some cases to receive health benefits," he said. "I was surprised at the low polyphenol content. I didn't expect it to be at such a low level.

The six teas contained:

• 81, 43, 40, 4 and 3 milligrams of polyphenols per 16-ounce bottle
Compared to


• 50 to 150 milligrams found in 1 average cup of home-brewed black or green tea, and costs only a few cents

Tea is the second most widely consumed drink worldwide, after water. Since 1990 tea sales in the USA have increased fourfold to approximately $7 billion per year, mainly as a result of published scientific studies which have revealed the polyphenol/antioxidant content of tea - and their ability to reduce cancer, heart disease and other illness risks.

Although bottled-tea makers do list polyphenol content on their labels, the amounts may not be right because there are no industry or government standards/guidelines for measuring or listing the polyphenolic compounds in a given product.

A regular tea bag may contain up to 175 milligrams of polyphenols, says Li. However, the polyphenol content drops when the bag is immersed into hot water. As manufacturers of bottled-tea change their processes, polyphenol levels may also vary.

Li said:

"Polyphenols are bitter and astringent, but to target as many consumers as they can, manufacturers want to keep the bitterness and astringency at a minimum. The simplest way is to add less tea, which makes the tea polyphenol content low, but tastes smoother and sweeter.

Li used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to make the first measurements of polyphenols in bottled tea beverages. He hopes this study will encourage similar use of HPLC by bottled-tea makers and others to provide consumers with better nutritional information.

Source: The American Chemical Society

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Hibiscus tea Health Benefits

There are hibiscus tea health benefits that herbalists always knew but now scientists proved in the lab. The hibiscus and its northern sister plant, rose of Sharon, also a hibiscus, is more than just a beautiful flower, it has healing properties when made into tea. Recent studies show that drinking just three cups of hibiscus tea daily helps lower the systolic, top number, blood pressure level.

The tropical hibiscus is a warm weather plant with beautiful flowers. Its northern cousin, Hibiscus sinosyriacus, also known as the rose of Sharon, is the hardier counterpart. A tea made from the flowers of the hibiscus has a remarkable effect on lowering blood pressure but also has other benefits. While herbalists have known the tea to be a diuretic, no one, until recently investigated the potential effect it has on blood pressure.

A scientific study conducted by Diane L. McKay, PhD from Tufts University in Boston showed that people with high blood pressure benefited from drinking just three cups of hibiscus tea each day. They believe it may be from the diuretic effect of the tea, but still have no solid conclusion.

The study was relatively small and included 65 men and women with slightly elevated blood pressure. Half the group drank a placebo drink daily and the other half consumed the hibiscus tea. After 6 weeks, the scientist checked the blood pressure of the participants and found that everyone experienced a drop in the top number on their blood pressure. The placebo group, however, only dropped 1.3 mmHg while the hibiscus tea group dropped an average of 7.2 mmHg. They also had a slight drop in the diastolic, or bottom, blood pressure number but it wasn't significant enough to demonstrate any importance.

Is the drop huge? No, it's quite small but still significant. While it won't save the life of a stroke victim, it may be a small step in preventing not only a stroke but also potential coronary disease. Each small step taken to control weight, blood pressure and cholesterol is a step in the right direction to a healthier body. Even though the difference between the two groups was only 6 mmHg, that 6mmHg combined with other small steps could increase the life span of the individual by years.

Hibiscus tea is good for more than just blood pressure. It is also a viable source for vitamin C, lowers cholesterol, is an antioxidant and fights cancer. That's a big order for a beautiful and delicate flower, but looks do deceive. The dark red of the flower contains anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are what give the flower its color. These are the same substances found in beets, grape skins and other dark purple and red vegetables. They offer powerful cancer fighting properties. Studies on anthocyanins and the other phytonutrients contained in plants continue at several major universities.

The deep red tea is a staple in many countries and used for celebrations in others. Mexican celebrations include hibiscus tea and it's also an important herbal remedy in that country. India has always known the tea was a healthy addition to the diet. It's time we take note of the traditions of folk medicine and make a few small changes for a huge benefit to our health. The extra weight and high cholesterol came one fry at a time. Reversing that effect can also come in baby steps. Discovering hibiscus tea health benefits and adding it to your daily beverage list may just start that process.

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Pu-erh Tea Health Benefits

Pu-erh tea health benefits prove to be viable in recent studies. In China, that casserole that has been in the back of your refrigerator for ages might be valuable. They tend to have a penchant for aged food. The 1000 year old egg, normally only aged 100 days is one example and Pu-erth tea, often aged as long as a 100 years, is another. The difference is the egg is a gourmet treat and the tea has health benefits, but your casserole's moving green fuzz is only scary, not necessarily beneficial.

Pu-erh tea use dates back thousands of years to the Han Dynasty. The tea comes from a wild tree that grows in Southwest China and along the border near Vietnam and Burma.

There's a special process used once the workers pick the tea. It's aging. They either dry the leaves in cakes, called moachas, or create aged pu-erth tea by allowing it to ferment. In earlier years, they pressed the tea into cake and stored it to ferment for up to 100 years. Now, they use a faster method. The newer fermentation process requires that they moisten the leaves and turn them for up to 40 days. After that, they press the leaves into a maocha. The fermentation that takes place comes from bacteria and fungus performing their magic on the tealeaves. Similar to the casserole in your refrigerator, a variety of bacteria and fungi are on the pu-erth tea at this stage. If the factory has good quality control, you get excellent pu-erth tea. If however, there's minimum attention paid to details like humidity and the growth of aspergillus spp in the fermenting pile of leaves, you might as well put that casserole in a bag and soak it for tea.

The most amazing results occur when the tea is properly aged. The result is not just a flavorful tea but also one that has health benefits. The early Chinese practitioners of medicine knew of the benefits long before modern science even had a microscope. They used it to increase the blood circulation, cure poor eyesight, aid in weight loss, cure dysentery and remove toxins from the body. One other important use was as a hangover remedy.

Recent studies show that lab rats developed higher good cholesterol while lowering the bad cholesterol with pu-erth tea. If rats don't convince you, consider the study done at Kunming Medical College in China. They compared a cholesterol-lowering drug to the effects of three cups of pu-erth tea each day. While the drug did reduce the cholesterol by a few percentage points more, 66.67 percent compared to 64.29 percent, the results are still amazing. This non-prescription drink could eliminate the necessity for any cholesterol drugs if consumed over a lifetime. Another study also showed its antioxidant action protected the body from cancer and damage to the connective tissue. Damaged connective tissue does all types of harm, one of which is wrinkles.

Go buy a box of pu-erh tea, get a new hair-do to match your wrinkle free face and celebrate with a bottle or two of wine. Don't worry about the hangover; you have the tea available as a remedy. This ancient Chinese remedy does have remarkable benefits but even Pu-erh tea health benefits won't work if you live unhealthy in other ways.

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Rooibos Tea's Health Benefits

Look out green tea because rooibos tea's health benefits might out do yours. Rooibos tea, also known as red bush tea, mountain tea, life long tea, herbal allergy tea and red tea, has more antioxidant properties as green tea and absolutely no caffeine. People used rooibos tea for a long time as a tea substitute. Because the seeds were so tiny and difficult to harvest, it made collecting enough to plant almost impossible, so for hundreds of years the plants remained in the wild. Farming the plants became possible when one resourceful Khoi woman found that ants collected and stored the seed. She collected the ants' stockpile and sold them to Dr. Le Fras Nortier who used them to create the first farms to cultivate rooibos.

This red tea drink has a naturally sweet taste and there's no need for the addition of sugar or artificial sweeteners but it's more than just a hot drink for the end of a cold hard day. It has medicinal and the same anti-aging properties because of its high antioxidant content.

Electrons need to travel in pairs. Free radicals have odd numbers of electrons and when they enter your body, they go on safari for an electron from your cells. They steal it from the cell membrane, which changes the chemical composition so food can't get in and waste can't leave the cell. Eventually, the cell and its DNA, the cells pattern for reproduction, dies and you get ill or old. Antioxidants give up an electron so the free radical doesn't attack the cell. Hence, you stay younger and healthier. One study shows that the antioxidant flavanoids in rooibos tea were as much as 50 times more potent than even green tea.

Besides the wonderful effect of the antioxidants on your body, it also is an anti-spasmodic. One young mother, Annique Theron, found that the rooibos tea helped stop her baby's colic. She did further research on rooibos tea and extolled its virtues in a book called, "Allergies: An Amazing Discovery." The book led to others investigating its medicinal properties even further.

Rooibos tea has helped those with insomnia, nervous tension, allergies, digestive problems and even hypertension. While it helps with the hay fever, it also promotes healthier bones and teeth because of its calcium and manganese content. When applied to the skin, rooibos tea helps relieve rashes, acne and eczema.

Tannin in oolong, black and green tea actually blocks the absorption of iron. Red tea, rooibos, contains very little tannin so it's a great drink for those that have difficulty with iron absorption or suffer from depleted iron reserves, such as pregnant or lactating women.

Dieters will appreciate the fact that it comes with its own natural sweetener, kilojoule, which is calorie free. There's no need to use artificial sweeteners or high calorie sugars to have a great drink with your meal or refreshing, soothing cup of tea in the evening.

So, make it a decorative tea fest and serve both red and green tea for a healthy addition to your diet. You'll find the rooibos tea won't keep you awake, relaxes you and yet tastes sweet and delicious.

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White Tea The Obesity Fighter

A new study just concluded that the regular consumption of white tea could prevent obesity and actually encourage weight loss. The study was conducted by researchers from Beiersdorf Ag, a German health food company, was published in the prestigious Journal Nutrition and Metabolism.

"In the industrialized countries, the rising incidence of obesity-associated disorders including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes constitutes a growing problem," said Beiersdorf nutritionist Marc Winnefeld. "We've shown that white tea may be an ideal natural source of slimming substances."

White tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis trees, as does all true tea. The difference is that white tea is minimal processed to prevent damage to the leaves or the fermentation process that all other teas go through. White tea is made from the youngest leaves and also can contain the unopened tea buds, these tea buds contain the downy white hairs that give this truly fantastic tea it's name.

In this study the researchers exposed laboratory-grown human fat cells (adipocytes) to a white tea extract. The genes involved in the this new adipocyte formation had a dramatic decrease in activity and at the same time promoting the existing adipocytes to break down further the fat they contained.

Because white tea is the least processed of the tea, scientists believe that it also contains the highest levels of those health endorsing phytochemicals. Methylxanthines and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) contributed to the effects in this currant study according to the Beiersdorf researchers.

The first evidence of white tea is found among the Ming Dynasty, 1366 to 1644 BC. White tea is actually more popular in Western Countries than in China. Personally it my favorite tea. Just be carefully not to brew it at temperatures above 180 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it from becoming bitter.

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5 Cups Of Green Tea Best Cancer Defense

Scientists now look at findings, which indicate 5 cups of green tea is the best cancer defense. The studies look at three different types of cancer and the reduction of the incidence of cancer in those that drank five or more cups of green tea every day. They also believe the significantly lower rate has a logical scientific explanation.

Green tea comes from the same leaves as black or oolong tea. The difference between these three types of tea is the amount of processing the leaves experience before they are packaged and ready for you to dip, steep and dunk in your hot water. Green tea has the least amount of processing. It seems amazing that even this century old drink confirms the fact that less is more when it comes to human intervention and processing foods.

Instead of allowing the leaves to ferment and change color, they're immediately steamed, rolled, spread out and then either pan-fried in a wok or dried with a blast of hot air. This leaves the most anti-oxidants in the leaves. The most important of these is the polyphenol catechin, epigallocatechin 3-gallate. If the name is a lot harder to swallow than the green tea, just call it EGCG.

Two studies lead reveal a close relationship to the consumption of 5 or more cups of natures healing nectar and lower rates of blood cancer, lymph node cancer and bile duct cancer. One study from the Tohoku School of Medicine in Japan tracked the food and drink consumption of almost 42,000 men and women of that country. While few things varied in eating pattern and liquid consumption of the participants over the nine-year study period, one difference was apparent when comparing those that eventually developed cancer and the cancer free population of the study. Since the study took place in Japan, where tea reigns over coffee, it was no surprise that all participants drank at least one cup of tea every day. Those cancer free participants went a step farther and drank at least five cups or more.

The second study followed 2623 participants consumption of tea. In the group, 627 of the participants had bile tract cancer, 959 were simply a control group and 1037 people were plagued with bile stones. Their findings were quite interesting. The female tea drinkers, ones that consumed at least a cup of tea each day in a six month period, had a 44 percent reduced risk of gallbladder cancer, a 35 percent reduction in bile duct cancer and a 27 percent reduced chance of bile stones. The male tea drinkers showed no significant difference from their tea-free counterparts.

These two studies are just a small amount of research showing the benefits of consuming green tea. Other studies on the benevolent beverage show that it protects the body in a myriad of other ways. It's particularly effective in preventing periodontal disease, increasing bone density thus preventing osteoporosis, decreases cardiovascular disease, prevents damage to brain cells from strokes of Parkinson's, prevents cognitive decline from diseases such as Alzheimer's, protects the body from both bacterial and viral infections, promotes improved cardiovascular health, promotes weight loss and even increases your exercise endurance. For those that imbibe in alcoholic beverages, green tea helped prevent liver damage in lab rats that scientists intentionally forced into a 4-week bender where they remained chronically intoxicated. Does this mean we'll soon be seeing alcoholic delights like green tea martini's or rum and green tea?

Through all the studies, one fact is clear, green tea is definitely good for your health. So, Starbucks, look out. The senior tea drinkers will be jogging their way to the Oriental Drink Emporium for their green tea while your customers are still trying to remember not only where they left their refillable cup but also where they left the car.

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White Tea - The Healthy Tea

White Tea as well as all other types of tea come from the same species of white flowering evergreen trees. However, the manner in which it is harvested and processed determines its life as a type of tea.

Therefore, tea is a form of herb, since it is plant life. When growing in the wild, a tea tree may grow in heights of 30 feet, however most tended tea trees undergo pruning and plucking to make the harvesting of the silvery tea leaves and tender buds convenient. This pruning causes the majority of tea trees you see to look like bushes.

However, white tea is the new growth of bud and the youngest of leaves from the Camellia sinensis tea tree. The difference between white tea and green tea is that the white tea does not feature the taste of grass, as do green teas.

White tea is the most rare of all teas.It has the least oxidation.It is unrolled and is only harvested at certain times of the year.

White tea has a pleasant interesting appearance and it is light and sweet in taste when steeped below the point of boiling.

White Tea Benefits

Although they both go through a similar processing with no fermentation white and green tea are not the same. White tea is the purest herbal form of processed tea and it contains the highest of health properties of all Camellia sinensis tea brews. There is less caffeine and more nutrients in white tea than in any other, which adds to its unsurpassed list of healing properties.

White Tea is very high in anti-oxidant and nutrients that are able to aid the body in protection from the damage of free radicals, which speeds up the aging process and damages DNA cells.

In the chemical makeup of green tea, all these anti-oxidants are working full time on problems that involve bacterial, inflammatory and viral elements.

Simply put, white tea is beneficial in influencing the health of the skin, heart, kidneys, circulatory system and brain. Therefore, since white tea is the purest forms of tea the healing properties have a better chance of guarding against many diseases and viruses not to mention the flu and the common cold.

The calm healing effects of white tea are able to ease many uncomfortable symptoms including those of HIV.

The anti-aging benefits are widely appreciated as are the reduction of blood sugar, heart problems and strokes. White tea offers increased energy and aids in reducing stress, everyone should have white tea daily for the very best results in health.

White tea holds interesting promise in the prevention of many cancers, such as stomach, colon and prostate. Since the anti-oxidants in white tea are abundant, they prevent the development of new cancerous growths while inhibiting the growth of existing growths.

White tea is also great for your skin, teeth and bones and provides you the best that the tea tree has to offer. Since white tea tastes so good and is so good for you why not sit back relax and have a cup today.

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Oolong Tea Benefits

Did you know that oolong, black and green teas all come from the very same plant? Like all other true teas oolong tea grows on an evergreen camellia tea tree.

One of the things that makes it different from the other teas is the time of harvesting and preparation of the tea leaves. Because of its harvesting process and the amount of time it is fermented ,oolong tea lies somewhere in between black and green tea.

Oolong tea goes through a number of stages while being produced in order to present a good aroma and flavor. This tea is made up of different leaves and the partial fomenting provides the tea with a distinctive red coloring and a taste akin to orchid flowers and sometimes even a rich fruity taste.

Of all the different types of tea oolong tea is recognizable for it particular rich aroma. It does take time and care when processing this tea.

There are different kinds of oolong tea. However, just like all other teas it is very beneficial in encouraging an increase of energy while being good for your teeth, bones and skin.

Oolong tea is loaded with the same anti-oxidants found in all the other teas while having the ability to aid in weight loss as it improves the metabolism. The brain, heart, liver, kidneys and stomach also find comfort in the use of oolong tea. It also boosts the immune system of the body so that viruses and other diseases are easier to fight off.

Since oolong tea has the right kind of anti-oxidants to guard against the effects of free radicals it is very beneficial in controlling the effects of aging and damage to the skin by harmful UV rays of the sun.

Other diseases that benefit with the use of oolong tea are Alzheimer and Parkinson disease as well as arthritis and heart disease. Hosts of many different cancers find there entrance blocked when incorporating oolong tea into the diet. The natural anti-oxidants needed to guard against many ailments are present within the chemical makeup of oolong tea.

Although there are so many different blends of flavor in oolong tea, you will be sure to find your favorite by giving them all a try till you find the perfect balance of aroma and flavor that is right for you.

Whether you prefer your oolong tea hot or cold it is sure to be very healthy and extremely delicious. Oolong tea is available in different tastes such as toasty, smoky, floral and fruity.

Often fruits are added to the blend of oolong tea to enhance its natural flavor. Some oolong teas come in coconut, orange, orchid, peach and almond blossom. There are also other flavors of oolong tea as well as black dragon tea.

Therefore, if you're searching for a fantastic tasting tea that is not as strong as black tea yet not as mild as green tea, with an assortment of different flavors to choose from then oolong tea just might be your cup of tea.

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Herbal Tea? and its Benefits

Herbal teas are wonderful. They come in a wide variety of flavors as well as having a variety of healing properties that correspond to different areas of the body, depending of course on the herb itself.

When first considering the use of herbs for tea you must always check to make sure that the herb you choose is not toxic. Since herbal tea is made of different types of plant life, there are many that are truly useful as well as there are herbs which are very dangerous and poisonous.

Anytime you are not sure of the herb, you should do your research or you can talk to a physician who is knowledgeable in both drugs and herbs.

Herbs have been used for centuries by many people. Herbs are quite simply the beneficial parts of plants and weeds.

Although herbs are not true tea as is a black, Oolong, green and white tea, however true teas are a form of herbal teas. Herbal tea and tree tea both make for some interestingly tasty beverages as well as being chock full of great healing qualities.

Herbal Tea is the blending of the seed, flower, leaves and roots of specific plants. Each plant or herb has different healing properties and each of these herbal tea properties is able to help in specific ways.

Herb tea is a fascinating subject and there is research being done right now on different herb teas. Lets discuss what we know now and as more information become available we'll add it to this page.

Herbal Tea Benefits

Herbal teas can be healing for just about any part of the body as well as being a delicious and taste tempting way to enjoy a quite evening.

Some attributes of herbal tea are:

1. Herbal tea is calming and relaxing.

2. Herbal tea is supportive of the health of the heart.

3. Herbal tea eases problems associated with the stomach and digestive tract.

4. Herbal tea is full of anti-oxidants that cleanse damaging properties from the body.

5. Herbal tea can promote an all over wellness in mind, body and spirit.

6. Some herbal teas have the ability to help you slow things down a bit and rest or even offer a good nights sleep. One of my favorite teas at night is Sleepy Time Extra.

Since herbs are such a basic life force of plant life, they have been used in many ways, including brews for drinking, tinctures, food, oils, spices and poultice. Herbal tea is great either hot or cold and tastes very good with the use of honey as a sweetener.

Some uses of herbal tea are:

• Ginkgo biloba is excellent for boosting the workings of the brain.
  
• Echinacea is great for boosting the immune system while guarding against a common cold.
  
• Eucalyptus is wonderful for opening up the sinus and breathing with ease.
  
• Peppermint is good for the digestive tract for soothing sick stomachs as well as opening up the sinus cavities for better breathing.
  
• Red clover, nettle and lemon balm are excellent for issues of the skin.
  
• Lemon balm also provides soothing to the nerves, which helps to reduce stress.
  
• Feverfew and rosemary are both excellent herbs for easing a pounding headache.
  
• Chamomile and Valerian both encourage a restful sleep, while chamomile is soothing to the stomach as well.
  
• Ginger is another form of herb tea that is great for soothing an upset stomach.
  

Herbal tea is wonderful as it is not only beneficial in so many different ways, but many of them are delicious as well. Enjoy some herbal tea today and you will feel so much better.

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Black Tea - The Cavity Fighter

Did you know that black tea helps to prevent cavities? Black tea has the ability to suppress odors and bad breath as well, because the compounds of black tea aid in the fight against bacterial growth.
Black tea is able to subdue the growth of bacteria in dental plaque; therefore, drinking it reduces the formation of plaque as well as diminishing the production of acids that cause the decaying of teeth, as long as there is not a lot of sugar in the tea.
People have enjoyed Black Tea for hundreds of years. Tea is one of the most favorite drinks of all time other than plain water. Actually, it is black tea, which comes to mind most often when someone mentions drinking tea.

There are other teas in the black tea family, such as orange pekoe and other types of breakfast teas.

The tea plant is actually a tree, which only grows in certain climates. They grow most often in the higher elevations of Japan, China, East Africa, India and Sri Lanka. The tea tree is an evergreen tree and it's leaves are harvested at different times during the growing season.

The different times of harvest and the method of their processing is what causes them to have different colors and flavors.

Although tea does contain caffeine the amounts of caffeine are lower than that of coffee. This lower amount of caffeine promotes the flow of blood without over stimulation of the heart, unlike coffee.

Black Tea Benefits

Black tea contains different properties, which are able to aid in the decreased risk of stroke, reduce blood cholesterol as well as cancer prevention while improving the function of the heart and the increase of bone density.

Black tea has been helpful in relieving diarrhea as it has a therapeutic effect on the intestines and the gastric system.

Many individuals who suffer from asthma use black tea to ward off asthma attacks as it helps them to breathe much easier.

Black tea may also be helpful in reducing the chances of having a stroke. In addition, it is possible to stave off the effects of the flu with the regular drinking of black tea.

So why is black tea so healthy? As with many other types of natural plant foods black tea has within it chemical makeup, a natural class of anti-oxidants, which are healthy and needed in order to keep a body going.

These anti-oxidants in tea help the body disposes of free radicals, which are either part of the natural aging process, or some form of effects from pollution that we encounter daily. Free radicals are the cause of many health problems such as cancer, stroke and heart disease.

The anti-oxidants in tea hold an abundance of healthy benefits, which is one reason it is so popular as a diet aid.

Black tea is delicious and has the ability to help you relax when the going gets rough or stressful.

It is also a great alternative to coffee for those concerned about a healthy lifestyle. You will find that black tea
not only tastes good but has many healthy benefits.

Whether you prefer your tea hot or cold, you should indulge in the simple healthy pleasure of a nice drink of black tea daily.

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Green Tea, Made By Nature To Be So Good For You!

Did you know that the majority of tea dumped into the Boston Harbor was green tea? This is because the import of green tea into the US was much higher than that of black tea until sometime in 1915.

You see, green tea has been a very popular beverage for countless people in Asia, Great Britain the United States as well as many others for many years.

There are some interesting legends of how tea came about, as well as the many intriguing ways people have gone about serving it.

The majority of green tea trees grow in China as other areas supply the need for darker teas. There are several hundred variations of green tea grown in China. Green tea has always been beneficial to health, as many Asian cultures have known for thousands of years. Modern science is now beginning to catch up.

Green Tea Benefits

Green tea benefits are many and varied, such as its anti-aging properties and prevention of disease.

Green tea is helpful with influencing the health of the brain, heart, circulatory system, the kidneys and skin. Green tea has an abundance of anti-oxidants qualities that are anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral.

Green tea has the ability to lower blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and is helpful as a diet aid. The anti-oxidants in green tea can even guard against scurvy, help with diabetes, bone density and is even useful as a protection from radiation poisoning and cancer.

Some cancers that are eased by green tea are bladder, colon, stomach, esophageal, lung, liver, pancreatic and prostate cancer.

As with other teas, green tea is useful in protecting your teeth, liver and your heart as well as positively influencing the effects of arthritis.

There are still many other individuals who feel that green tea is beneficial in the aid of Alzheimer and Parkinson disease as well as multiple sclerosis and increasing the metabolism while also fighting viruses.

When you think about it, green tea is truly amazing as it offers so many different positive healthy benefits throughout the entire body. Green tea taste great, relaxes you and puts you in a good mood, what more can you ask for?

What makes green tea so much rarer than darker teas? Green tea is hand harvested. The picker only plucks two leaves and a single bud at a time from a tea tree.

Green tea is very pale in coloring such as light greenish yellow, as it is harvested young and then not left to oxidize. The tender green tea leaves are immediately baked or steamed, and then they are rolled and left to dry. This is why this tea remains green and under fermented rather than the darker teas on the market.

In addition, you should know that the more tightly rolled the leaves the better quality the Green Tea. Do you know what the best thing about green tea is? Green tea tastes great hot or cold, any time, day or night.

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A Cup Of Tea Is Nourishment For Body And Soul

Almost everyone loves tea. This delicious as well as healthy drink has been around for ages. Tea comes in a rich array of types and flavors. Whether you drink your tea hot or cold, you are sure to have an enjoyable healthy drink.

Tea Benefits

Tea has many beneficial properties one of which is flavoniod antioxidants and we all need those to keep our bodies in healthy working order. The antioxidants in tea can help protect the body from the affects of free radicals which can damage cells.

Some of these antioxidants have proven useful as anti-allergic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents, as well as helping to boost the immune system.

Tea is helpful in weight loss and the protection against Alzheimers, heart disease and may help lower the risk of some types of cancers. Tea also has fluoride, which is great news for your teeth and bones. Therefore, the next time you just want a nice drink of tea remember it is good for your body as well as being appetizing.

Actually, after water, tea is one of the most common consumed drinks. No matter whether it is black, green, white, Oolong or herbal teas. All of these different types of teas offer their own special tastes and health benefits.
All tea grows on a white flowering evergreen tea tree. Every bit of real tea comes from the same types of Camellia Sinensis trees better known as tea trees. Tea trees are harvested year round.

Most of the tea tree plants resemble a bush from being pruned, however if left to grow wild it reaches a height of nearly thirty feet.

Here is a list of the types of tea and some of their benefits:

• 1. Black Tea - Black tea is helpful by affecting the levels of stress hormones thereby aiding in a quicker recovery time from the stresses of daily life. It also lowers the risk of heart attacks. Black tea is helpful as a diet aid.
  
• 2. Green Tea - Green tea can protect against several different kinds of cancer, such as lung, breast and prostate cancers. It is also useful as a diet aid since it speeds up the metabolic rates while speeding up the fat oxidation. This offers a feeling of increased energy.
  
• 3. White Tea - White tea has more anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents than Green tea, while being generally comparable to Green tea. White tea is actually immature tea and has a fuzzy silver coloring. White tea also contains a stronger content of anti-oxidants that defends against cancer causing cells better than any other tea.
  
• 4. Oolong Tea - Oolong tea tastes more like green tea than black tea. It has a strong flowery taste that is a little on the bitter side, but surprisingly it leaves a pleasantly sweet aftertaste. It is helpful as a diet aid, while it also helps prevent skin damage and enhances the function of enzymes because of its anti-oxidant properties.
  
• 5. Herbal Tea - Herbal teas are the blending of flowers, seeds, leaves and roots from plants. They are not true tea, as they don't come from the evergreen tea tree. To be fair I need to say that all teas are herbal as they all come from plant source.
  
  Actually, herbal teas offer a much wider assortment of flavors and health benefits than most other real teas. There are a lot of claims made about herb tea and its benefits. We hope to be able to sort out these claims and report to you what works and what doesn't

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