Health Benefits of Drinking Green Tea

Green tea is considered one of the healthiest teas to consume. There are many benefits and reasons to drink green tea, from prevention of disease to cleansing and maintenance of health. Green tea also helps support the immune system.

1. Anti-Aging properties

Green tea is the only tea shown to have positive, healthy benefits on a vast array of levels. It contains the antioxidants vitamin C and E. Antioxidants rid free radicals that damage healthy cell membranes. Damaged cell membranes could lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart attacks. Drinking green tea might also relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, according to a study done in 1999 by researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Many people who drink green tea do not look their age and retain skin suppleness and a youthful appearance as well.

2. Asthma

Green tea contains a substance called theophylline, which is a natural muscle relaxant. Spasms in bronchial muscles cause bronchial flareups, and green tea supports bronchial tubes, thus reducing asthma symptoms and restrictive breathing.

3. Cancer

Mayo Clinic researchers found three out of four chronic leukemia patients (who were given green tea extract) experienced regression of their disease. The fourth patient also showed improvement. Leukemia cells were destroyed by the substance found in green tea - a chemical known as polyphenols - which has amazing antioxidant properties. Catechins are the major group of polyphenols in green tea. The most important catechin is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Japan has the lowest incidence of cancer cells, and the Japanese tend to drink a large amount of green tea throughout the day.

4. Cholesterol

Drinking green tea may lower cholesterol without the side effects of risky prescription drugs. Patients who are on prescription medication for high cholesterol should check with their doctors about adding green tea to their diet. It should be stated that most Western doctors are not educated about holistic or natural supplements and may balk at the idea of green tea having any beneficial properties. There are no side effects to green tea, only if you are allergic and cannot tolerate the tea's natural caffeine content. If you are sensitive to caffeine in tea, simply drink decaffeinated versions found in most supermarkets.

Resources:

http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com/green-tea.htm

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea?page=2