Healthy Benefits of Green Tea
By J Paris Are the benefits of drinking green tea just media hype? Weve seen a lot of hype over many food stuffs over the past few years. Weve been encouraged to eat cranberries, pomegranates, and garlic. At the same time, weve had scares about beef, eggs, and cooked chicken. So, how are we meant to understand what is hype and what is real? When it comes to green tea, the original hype has now been backed up by scientific research. We know, for instance, that drinking green tea reduced esophageal cancer in a population of Chinese men and women by 60%, because it was supported by as epidemiological study, the results of which were published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. This journal is peer reviewed, which means that poor quality research studies are not published. A follow up study has since reported that one of the compounds found in green tea actually inhibits the growth of cancer cells, thereby offering even further support for the original study. What are the health benefits of drinking green tea? So, what are the reputed benefits of drinking green tea? Well, its reported to inhibit cancer, reduce rheumatic disease, reduce high cholesterol levels, reduce cardio-vascular disease, aid recovery from infection, improve resistance to disease, decrease tooth decay, and increase the rate at which you burn calories. So far, the only negative effect noted is that some people report difficulty in sleeping after drinking green tea, which is probably due to its caffeine content. Having said that, the caffeine content of green tea is lower than that of coffee. Why does only green tea offer these benefits? If you think it rather strange that green tea is said to possess such health giving properties, while other China teas seem to have missed out. It is, apparently, something to do with the processing of the leaves. Ordinary tea is produced by fermenting the leaves, whereas green tea is steamed and not fermented. Fermentation, its reported, results in the destruction of the health-giving compounds. How much green tea should you drink? Now, this is where it does become difficult to separate hype from reality! Some reports suggest that you should be drinking ten or more cups a day, while others say that four or five cups a day will be sufficient to feel the health benefits. Certainly, one university study has concluded that drinking four or five cups a day will reduce your risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis and, if you are unlucky enough to already suffer from that disease, four or five cups will also reduce the symptoms. Likewise, a Japanese study reports that drinking that same amount will help to prevent a recurrence of, or a spread of, breast cancer. Probably, the most sensible option, if you want to be sure of drinking enough green tea to reap the health benefits, is to drink four or five cups a day, with more if you desire. Jason Paris, personal trainer and nutritionist, runs a website with business partner Lady Marie Stubbs - author of “Ahead of the Class.” Their aim through the website is to provide advice on weightloss, exercise and nutrition. For more info on exercise and nutrition issues visit http://www.female-fiftyplus-get-fit.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Paris http://EzineArticles.com/?Healthy-Benefits-of-Green-Tea&id=513405 prescription xenical mexico xenical loss weight xenical discount xenical online
