Benefits of Green Tea
We have access to more information about our health now than any time in
history. It seems like everyday there is a new miracle, a new cure for the
things that ail us, another pill or potion that will make us feel better. Green
tea is the “now” nutritional supplement. It has enjoyed a surge in popularity in
recent years, but is it worth all the hype? What exactly are the benefits and
are they effective enough to consider? The Food and Drug Administration has not
officially approved green tea or endorsed any of its properties, but believers
swear by them.
One of the pros (or cons, depending on your side of the fence on the issue) of
green tea is its caffeine content. The tea contains about have the caffeine as a
regular cup of coffee. There are several schools of thought on caffeine’s effect
on the body. It’s definitely a stimulant, and some choose to avoid it for that
reason. Some dieters say going decaf helps them curb their sweet tooth. Others
say the little caffeine boost helps rev them up for their workout.
Another unsubstantiated perk of this beverage is its ability to delay and
sometimes alleviate the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Most such diseases involve the build up of a
certain kind of plaque in the brain, which restricts blood flow and leads to the
nerve damage that is characteristic of such illnesses. In a study published in
the Journal of Neuroscience, the antioxidant EGCG has been shown to positively
affect the amount of harmful beta-amyloid protein plaque in lab mice. The
animals that were treated with a daily injection of EGCG exhibited a whopping 54
percent less of the harmful plaque than the animals that weren’t treated.
If green tea is what it takes to stave off such dreadful diseases, why isn’t
everyone drinking it? Simple, it’s just not enough. Other antioxidants found in
the tea water down the effect of RGCG. In order to reproduce the same effect in
humans that the lab mice experienced, the dose would have to be about 1,500 or
1,600 milligrams a day. The large amount has been tested on humans and found to
be safe.
Advocates of green tea also say it contains thermogenetic qualities that speed
up metabolism and help with weight loss. To get the maximum health benefits of
green tea, you’d need to drink the concentrated form of RGCG, which can also be
found in vegetables. People who make a point to consume foods that contain RGCG
keep themselves detoxified. Doing so reduces their chances of developing cancer
and other diseases.
Be aware that the health hype of green tea has aided its commercialism. Beverage
brands have been quick to jump on the bandwagon and offer a plethora of
variations on the theme. Just because it says “green tea” on the label doesn’t
mean it has all the nutritional benefits you’ve heard about. After processing,
it might not even be good for you at all. Always read the nutritional
information on the back of the label and be sure of what you’re consuming
