In China and Japan the health benefits of green tea have been extensively researched. According to these studies it has a positive effect on many organ systems in the body and inhibits the progression of certain diseases. Green tea contains some of the highest concentrations of minerals and antioxidants, which have been proven to benefit the body and slow down the aging process. The following are some of the health benefits of green herbal tea:
Enhanced Immunity
Antioxidant minerals are known to slow degenerative diseases. They do this by stopping free radicals from damaging the cells in the body. Free radicals harm the body by initiating chain reactions of electron scavenging. Polyphenols and flavenoids rank high in levels of antioxidant activity and green tea is 30-40% polyphenols by weight, making it a good fighter of free radicals. Most of green tea's positive immune system effects are related to the high levels of polyphenols it contains.
Scientists estimate that the necessary daily intake of polyphenols is from 300-400 mg or about four cups of green tea daily. Green tea has the highest concentration of all types of polyphenols. This is because it is minimally processed. Another well-known immune builder, Vitamin C is also present in tea.
Protection Against Cancer
The National Cancer Center Research Institute in Tokyo advises that: "Drinking tea may be one of the most practical methods of cancer prevention available at present" (Mitscher, L. A. & Dolby, V. (1998). The Green Tea Book. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group) Green herbal tea has been shown in studies to lower the occurrence of all types of cancers especially digestive and urinary tract cancers.
In animal studies, green tea was applied topically to the skin and shown to protect the skin against cancerous changes and slow the progression of skin cancer. Other research has shown tea to be helpful in inhibiting esophageal, stomach, colon, rectal, liver, pancreatic, bladder, breast, and lung cancers. In addition it has been shown to benefit white blood cells during chemotherapy treatment.
Heart Health
In certain individuals with a history of heart disease, limiting their intake of cholesterol does not always significantly lower their blood cholesterol level. However those who drink green herbal tea have shown a decrease in cholesterol levels. Green tea seems to bond with cholesterol, retarding absorption as it goes through the digestive tract. The effect of this is that the body won't absorb the fat that was eaten.
Green tea has blood thinning effects and helps prevent unhealthy clotting. It has been shown to relax the blood vessel walls and result in a decrease in fatal heart disease and stroke.
