What are the affects of green tea?
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Green Tea
Legend has it that in ancient times, a Chinese emperor was drinking some hot water when leaves from a nearby tea shrub (Camellia sinensis) dropped into his cup. He apparently liked the soothing drink that resulted from this chance event. And so began what is today a worldwide love affair with tea. It's now second only to water as the most popular drink in the world.
Interestingly, research studies in recent years have confirmed the presence of various healing substances that provide the therapeutic properties long ascribed to the ubiquitous tea leaf. Of particular importance are potent antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols that help guard against many kinds of basic cell damage.
Health Benefits
Green tea is well established as a potent source of healing antioxidants--the same beneficial compounds found in fruits and vegetables. The leaf also boasts the presence of a superstar antioxidant called EGCG (epigallocatechin-gallate) as well as other notable healing substances, including fluoride, catechins, and tannins.
Many of the medicinal claims made for green tea haven't been examined outside a laboratory setting, specifically in clinical trials that assess the plant's health effects in people. On the other hand, the pure research findings are exciting, and there appears to be no harm in integrating this ancient brew into your daily diet.
Ongoing research suggests that thanks to its numerous and varied antioxidant compounds, sipping green tea regularly may help to prevent various types of cancer, guard against heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure, promote longevity, stave off tooth decay (the tea contains the cavity fighter, fluoride), help heal gum infections, and provide a number of other benefits.
Researchers have found that only about 10 ounces of green tea will significantly increase the body's antioxidant capacity for at least two hours.
Because it contains astringent tannin compounds, green tea in moderation can ease indigestion, diarrhea, and other forms of stomach upset. Swiss researchers even have preliminary evidence that green tea accelerates the burning of fat calories in people who are overweight. A small but interesting 1999 study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation in men who took a green tea extract as opposed to a placebo or caffeine alone.
Specifically, green tea may help to:
Prevent Cancer. The antioxidant EGCG sets in motion a process called apoptosis. Interestingly, the cell death that ensues only affects cancer cells, not healthy ones. EGCG may well enhance the body's natural antioxidant system as well, encouraging the elimination of damaging oxygen molecules called free radicals.
One large-scale study in China found that people who drank as little as one cup of green tea a week for six months had a reduced risk of developing certain kinds of cancers (rectal, pancreatic, and others) than did people who drank green tea less frequently or not at all. Other preliminary research indicates that green tea can help to combat breast, stomach, and skin cancer.
Counter Aging. Given the latest findings on the potent antioxidants in green tea, it's no wonder that this brew has long been touted for promoting long life. Its high antioxidant concentrations apparently enhance longevity by fighting heart disease and cancer, among other ailments. According to epidemiologic studies, Japanese men and women who drink five to 10 cups of green tea daily are more likely to live longer, they are also more likely to stay cancer- and heart disease-free.
Treat Arthritis. Antioxidants in green tea may prevent and reduce the severity of osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that if you consume approximately four cups of green tea a day you may be able to protect yourself from developing arthritis, and if you already have arthritis, consuming green tea can help to diminish the inflammation it causes.
--To get an adequate amount of polyphenols, you need three to four cups of green tea a day.
--Antioxidant researchers say that two 8-ounce cups of green tea contain about as many flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) as a serving of vegetables or fruit.
--For cancer prevention, anti-aging protection, and arthritis pains: Drink 3 or 4 cups of green tea a day.
Guidelines for Use
The healing properties of green tea can be derived from all its forms, but brewing the tea may certainly be the most pleasant way to ingest it. Of course, the taste of green tea may not appeal to everyone. A generous dollop of honey makes it more palatable for some people.
Preparing the tea with loose leaves provides no benefit over tea bags, but do try to find bags that haven't been lying around for months.
For a caffeine-free product, look for decaffeinated green tea.
It doesn't appear to matter what time of day you drink green tea, although doing so throughout the day may be the most beneficial because you get a constant supply of antioxidants. And remember, green tea does contain caffeine, so drink the brew earlier in the day if you find that it keeps you awake at night.
General Interaction
There are no known drug or nutrient interactions associated with green tea.
Claims that high concentrations of vitamin K in green tea leaves can pose blood clotting problems, particularly in people taking anticoagulant medications for heart disease or other problems, have been discounted; the amount of vitamin K in an 8-ounce cup of brewed tea is negligible.
Possible Side Effects
Most of the side effects of green tea are the result of its caffeine content. One cup of brewed tea has about 40 mg of caffeine. If you drink excessive amounts of brewed tea, you may experience caffeine-related irritability, sleeplessness, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or loss of appetite.
Other Answers:
as far i known it reduces weight.
Health benefits
Proponents of green tea note that its medicinal benefits have been described for over 1000 years. The Kissa Yojoki, or Book of Tea written by Zen priest Eisai in 1191, describes how drinking green tea can have a positive effect on the five vital organs, especially the heart. The book discusses tea's medicinal qualities which include easing the effects of alcohol, acting as a stimulant, curing blotchiness, quenching thirst, eliminating indigestion, curing beriberi disease, preventing fatigue, and improving urinary and brain function. Part One also explains the shapes of tea plants, tea flowers and tea leaves and covers how to grow tea plants and process tea leaves. In Part Two, the book discusses the specific dosage and method required for individual physical ailments.
In more recent times, many studies have investigated a link between the consumption of green tea and a lower incidence of a range of cancers in populations, with mixed results. Green tea has been claimed[citation needed] to be useful for:
Cognition
Stopping certain neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimers
Preventing/ treating cancer
Treating Arthritis
Treating MS
Preventing the degradation of cell membranes by neutralizing the spread of free radicals (which occurs during the process of oxidation)
Increases fat oxidation (helps the body use fat as an energy source) and raises metabolism. [1]
Lowering LDL cholesterol (in high doses in lab tests)
Preventing lowered T-Cells due to HIV - In lab tests, EGCG, found in green tea, was found to prevent HIV from attacking T-Cells. However, it is not known if this has any effect on humans yet. [2]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has rejected claims of health benefits for green tea. [3]
"There is no credible scientific evidence that drinking green tea reduces the risk of heart disease".
"FDA concludes there is no credible evidence to support qualified health claims for green tea or green tea extract and a reduction of a number of risk factors associated with CVD" (cardiovascular disease).
The FDA previously has said that green tea likely does not reduce breast, prostate or any other type of cancer risk.
In a 2006 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 83, pp 355-361) showed that elderly Japanese people who drank more than 2 cups of green tea a day had a 50 percent lower chance of having cognitive impairment than those who drank less or who consumed other tested beverages. [4] The high amount of catechins found in green tea is thought to be the reason.
In May 2006, researchers at Yale University School of Medicine weighed in on the issue[citation needed] with a review article that looked at more than 100 studies on the health benefits of green tea. They pointed to what they called an "Asian paradox," which refers to lower rates of heart disease and cancer in Asia despite high rates of cigarette smoking. They theorized that the 1.2 liters of green tea that is consumed by many Asians each day provides high levels of polyphenols and other antioxidants. These compounds may work in several ways to improve cardiovascular health, including preventing blood platelets from sticking together and improving cholesterol levels, said the researchers, whose study appeared in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Specifically, green tea may prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), which, in turn, can reduce the buildup of plaque in arteries, the researchers wrote.
When green tea should be avoided
Avoid drinking green tea[citation needed] or at least talk to your doctor before taking green tea if you have:
heart problems
high blood pressure
kidney disease
hyperthyroidism
nervous disorder
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant.
Green tea contains a compound — epigallocatechin gallate — that blocks the enzyme necessary for folic acid to be utilized in the cells[citation needed]. Folic acid is needed for cells to divide, which is especially important during the critical periods of growth and development during the first trimester of pregnancy. Without folic acid, cell division is slowed down. In fact, inadequate intakes of folic acid have been linked to an increased risk of giving birth to an infant with neural tube defects. While green tea can be beneficial at other times, to be safe, pregnant women should avoid green tea throughout their pregnancy.
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