The Green Tea Effect

The history of Chinese tea shows that Green Tea has been used as a medicine for at least 4000 years. They have used it to treat everything from headaches to depression. Only recently has the rest of the world discovered the benifits of green tea.

The Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a study in 1994 that stated, “Drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent.”

Since then many other studies have been done by research groups and colleges across the country. Researchers at Purdue University, for example, found that a compound found in Green Tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Other research indicates that drinking Green Tea not only lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) but raises levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and improves the balance of the two.

Research has proven a Green Tea effect that can:

• Help prevent cancer
• Improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
• Alleviate high cholesterol levels
• Decrease chances for cardiovascular disease
• Promote healing of infection
• Restore impaired immune function

Green Tea contains a powerful anti-oxidant (epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG). EGCG not only inhibits the growth of cancer cells, it actually kills cancer cells without harming non affected cells.

The benifits of Green Tea for weight control has been established. The body burns more calories when the dieter drinks green tea.

Green Tea has also been shown to help prevent tooth decay and aid in healthy skin. Green tea capsules and skin products that contain Green Tea, are exploding onto retailer’s shelves….everything from skin cream to deodorants.

The only side effect ever found in green tea is the possibility of insomnia caused by the caffeine contained in it.