| A cup of green tea. One of life's basic pleasures. | | | | determination whether a topical application shrinks |
| People have been enjoying the taste and health | | | | pre-cancerous skin changes. These scientific studies |
| benefits of tea for thousands of years. Tea was first | | | | suggest that EGCG and green tea polyphenols have |
| cultivated by India and China but is now consumed | | | | anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties that may |
| around the world and is second only to water. It is | | | | help prevent the onset and growth of skin tumors. |
| grown around the world in tropical and sub tropical | | | | The catechins have a strong antibiotic effect and |
| locations but is native to Southeast Asia. Camellia | | | | play a role is disrupting the replication of the DNA in |
| sinensis - green tea's scientific plant name - comes | | | | bacteria. In in-vitro experiments the EGCG was able |
| from a type of evergreen shrub or laurel tree. The | | | | to reverse methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus |
| leaf buds and leaves are the parts used to make the | | | | aureus bacteria. This could prove to be a treatment |
| tea. Plants have always been used in traditional | | | | for such resistant bacteria. There is another clinical |
| Chinese medicine and now the Western medical | | | | study through the National Institute of Health to |
| community is taking notice. | | | | determine the effect of the tea as an extract in |
| A cup of tea. There is an entire science surrounding | | | | preventing cervical cancer in patients with Human |
| this basic and simple beverage. Tea has been touted | | | | Papillomavirus (HPV). |
| as being the magic cure-all for everything, especially | | | | Dental caries, dental plaque formation and bad breath |
| the green variety. It is said to hold curative | | | | - which are bacterial infections - have been treated |
| properties for human illnesses and preventive health. | | | | successfully with green tea. Aside from being a |
| There is proven truth to many of the claims and the | | | | powerful antioxidant, green tea promotes healthy |
| jury is still out on many others. There are still studies | | | | cholesterol, healthy blood pressure, good blood sugar |
| to be done and analyzed but the ones that are | | | | and a healthy metabolism, cardiovascular health, |
| completed paint a fairly impressive picture of the | | | | younger looking skin, digestive health, and energy. |
| powerful benefits of this powerful tea. Many of | | | | One of the more recent claims that has much |
| these medical headlines do have merit. | | | | interest is that green tea promotes weight loss and |
| The majority of the therapeutic health benefits | | | | acts as a diuretic. |
| attributed to the tea are due to the polyphenols, the | | | | As powerful as this tea appears to be, it is best to |
| potent anti-oxidant compounds found in it. | | | | take a precautionary approach. With any herbal or |
| Polyphenols contained in teas are classified as | | | | plant based supplement there could be interactions |
| catechins. There are six primary catechin compounds | | | | with medications being taken so it is always advised |
| found in the green version of the tea: catechin, | | | | to consult with your physician before implementing |
| gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, | | | | any dietary changes that include green tea |
| epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate (also | | | | beverages or its supplement and extract forms. |
| known as EGCG). EGCG is the most studied | | | | People with heart problems, kidney disorders, |
| polyphenol component in green tea and also the | | | | stomach ulcers, and psychological disorders |
| most active. Catechins are present in nearly all teas | | | | (particularly anxiety) should not take green tea. |
| made from Camellia sinensis including white tea, green | | | | Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid |
| tea, black tea and Oolong tea. | | | | this tea. |
| The National Cancer Institute has ongoing clinical trials | | | | A cup of green tea. Who knew? It may be the new |
| on the health impact that this tea can offer in the | | | | powerhouse miracle that could prove to change lives |
| fight against skin cancer. Two current studies are | | | | and improve health just as penicillin or the invention |
| testing to see the effects of a green tea pill on | | | | of aspirin. Something so simple yet so promising. |
| sun-induced skin damage and another is making a | | | | |