Green Tea and its Metabolic Influences
Green tea is a tea that has found its origination from the plant called Camellia sinensis. It is one type out of the four tea types namely white, green, black, and oolong.
• White tea is called white because it is the least processed type, whereas black tea leaves are thoroughly fermented and so they get the name. Green tea leaves are known for their polyphenol content which is preserved because they are steamed not fermented.
• Polyphenol gets the credit for all the beneficial effects that are caused because of green tea, especially the catechins is considered to be the most responsible one, catechins account for more then 30% weight of the tea.
• The difference in the process in which a tea is processed accounts for the difference in the catechin content of the tea. Catechins are present in higher quantity in green tea than in black or any other type.
• The following are several polyphenolic catechins that are present in the green tea:
(1) -epicatechin (EC)
(2) -epicatechin—3—gallate (ECG)
(3) - epigallocatechin (EGC)
(4) - epigallocatechin—3—gallate (EGCG)
(5) +catechin, and
(6) + gallocatechin (GC).
• EGCG is the catechin that is found in maximum amount in the tea, it accounts for almost about 65% of catechin content in the tea.
• A single cup of green tea usually contains technically 100—200 mg of EGCG in it.
Caffeine which is present in all the teas is not at all affected by the processing methods that are applied to the tea.
Obesity
Whenever a person is having a weight that is greater then the weight that a person should have according to the general health consideration then it is called obesity.
How obesity is determined?
A term called Body Mass index is used determining whether a person is obese or is having normal body weight. Body mass index uses weight and height of a person .This index is used to correlate with the amount of fat that is present in a person’s body.
Recent studies suggest that catechins play a fantabulous role in weight loss.
Green tea promoting weight loss
Green tea is called weight loss tea. Catechins are known for influencing metabolism in several ways:
• Catechin inhibits intestinal lipases.
• It decreases absorption of fat.
• It increases excretion of fat.
• It increases the amount of uncoupling proteins in the body.
• It also increases thermogenesis.
• Decreases lipogenic enzymes.
• Suppresses appetite.
About the author:
Author writes for weight loss tea, lose weight and slimming tea.
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Medicinal Values of Green Tea
Much Acclaimed Miracle of Green Tea Needs To Cool Off
Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:
cancer
rheumatoid arthritis
high cholesterol levels
cariovascular disease
infection
impaired immune function
What makes GT so special?
The secret of GT lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.
Links are being made between the effects of drinking GT and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.
Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets GT apart is the way it is processed. G.T. leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.
Other Benefits
New evidence is emerging that G.T. can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and G.T. extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.
G.T. can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing g.t. - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.
Harmful Effects?
To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking g.t. is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, g.t. contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.
BlueWaterArticles.com: - Much Acclaimed Miracle of Green Tea Needs To Cool Off
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How Green Tea Helps To Make Your Skin Healthier
| We have heard of the health benefits of green tea. Now new studies show that it can have a profound effect on the skin. It has been shown that it can help repair sun damage, prevent premature aging, and enhance skin tone. It may also help to ward off some types of skin cancer. This sounds like a miracle in a bottle, to good to be true. But often old remedies and potions value are based on the fact that they work, even if the user didn't understand why. New research from the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center shows that green tea blocks the formation of plaque in the arteries. Green tea has long been a part of herbal healing in cardiovascular patients with outstanding results. It doesn't help dissolve existing plaque but helps to prevent the formation of new plaque. Green tea doesn't have to be drunk to be effective; there are pills on the market containing green tea. Let's take a look at what green tea is made from. Tea comes from the bud of a plant. There are three basic types; black, green, and oolong. The manufacturing process for each is very similar but the fermentation process is different. The black and oolong teas are oxidized, while the green tea leaves are steamed then dried. This helps prevent the breakdown of polyphenols, which are the compounds in tea that contain those very important antioxidants that help fight cancer. The plolyphenols in green tea are commonly known as catechins, possessing highly potent antioxidant characteristics. The major preventative catechin in green tea is epigallocatechingallate (EGCG). It has been discovered at the Medical College of Georgia that EGCG can reactivate dying cells. EGCG can also accelerate the differentiation process in new skin cells. With this technology it can be possible to make formulas that will help heal skin condition like psoriasis, rosascea, and wounds. When dealing with a wound if there isn't the right type of skin cells present to fill the wound another type moves in, this is scar tissue. If the EGCG is applied correctly is can cause the scar tissue cells to be rejuvenated into normal healthy cells, eliminating an ugly scar. This type of technology could help so many different people with scaring injuries, like burn victims. While more studies are being conducted to determine the other health benefits of green tea, researcher think the impact could be profound. Using skin care products that contain green tea can help repair your skin by minimizing the damage from the sun. It will also promote new cell growth. Including green tea as part of your daily routine, by drinking and applying to the skin, you can be on your way to a healthier life inside and out. |
| Author Resource:- Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as skin care advice at http://www.cosmeticsplusmore.com |
| Article From New Ezine Articles |
Legendary Green Tea
Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.
To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:
cancer
rheumatoid arthritis
high cholesterol levels
cariovascular disease
infection
impaired immune function
What makes green tea so special?
The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.
Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.
Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.
Other Benefits
New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.
Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.
Harmful Effects?
To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.
Article Source: http://www.articlenorth.com
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Skin Care and Green Tea
Have you heard the buzz about green tea and its health benefits? Here's the breakdown. The active principles in tea are called polyphenols. The polyphenols found in tea mainly belong to a type called catechins. Green tea has more catechins than black tea. White tea has a similar amount of catechins as green tea but less is known about white tea. The primary catechins in green tea include gallocatechin (GC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
Many studies have shown green tea to have positive effects against free radicals, cardiovascular damage, some cancers, and toxins. Topical green tea formulations appears to minimize sun damage by neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking ultraviolet rays.
How should you incorporate green tea into your skin care regimen? Sun screens use use zinc oxide which is inert and does not change the catechins in green tea; therefore, the best use of green tea to use it in addition to a sunscreen. The perfect application would be a kit containing a sun screen with a minimum SPF of 30, as well as an exfoliating cleanser, and a vitamin C serum to work synergistically with the catechins in green tea. The combination of protection from UV light, exfoliation of dead skin, enhanced collagen production from vitamin C, and the repair of environmental damage from the tea should produce visible results in 4-8 weeks of use.
Keep in mind that protection from the sun is the most important ingredient in anti aging skin care.
© 2006, Clara Myers. Great Face offers many spa quality products containing green tea as well as cosmetics and skin care information from around the Internet. Visit Great Face at http://great-face.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clara_Myers
The Side Effects of Green Tea During Pregnancy
According to some studies, drinking too much green tea during pregnancy is not good. Why is that? Well, doctors and researchers were able to prove that green tea contains caffeine. Caffeine intake is discouraged during pregnancy because of certain side effects.
Despite the many health benefits of green tea which includes preventing cancer, improving the heart's health, boosting the immune system, aids digestion, lowers cholesterol, dental health, lowers the level of blood sugar, and many others, it is not advisable to drink green tea when you're pregnant.
Studies have proven that green tea contains EGCG or epigallocatechins which affects the use of folate in the body. Folate is very important during pregnancy because it can help in preventing birth defects in the neural tube. EGCG becomes harmful in pregnancy because it resembles the structure of methotrexate. The latter can get rid of cancer cells by bonding an enzyme called DHFR or dihydrofolate reductase.
The folate pathway contains these enzymes and since the EGCG is similar to methotrexate, it also binds with the enzyme and when this happens, the enzyme is inactivated. Once the enzymes are inactivated, the body can't use folate effectively. There hasn't been any conclusive studies which show how much green tea a pregnant woman should consume or how much folate can be affected.
Some doctors recommend pregnant women to drink moderate amount of tea as well as coffee. If you're still unaware, green tea also contains caffeine and when you're pregnant, it's not good to drink a lot of beverages which contain caffeine. So if you want to be extra sure, don't forget to ask your doctor next time you have an appointment. Always keep in mind that your health and that of your baby is of great importance.
Besides, there are already studies which proves caffeine to cause miscarriage and lower birth weight among babies. Drinking around six cups of coffee per day can definitely affect your baby's weight at birth. If you don't want your baby to suffer, you can have a cup of coffee a day or if you want, you can just stop drinking coffee. The caffeine content in green tea is lower than that of coffee and so you can drink more than one cup; but as said earlier, ask your doctor about it first.
Pregnancy will only take nine months and so you need to enjoy it. Even if you experience a lot of body changes, just think that you will rejoice the day your precious baby comes. If you can avoid drinking caffeined drinks, then try to stay away from them.
Although the health benefits of green tea are remarkable, it does contain caffeine and no study has yet established the right amount of green tea intake especially among pregnant women. If you're not pregnant and you don't have any problems related to caffeine intake, then you can drink as many tea as you like. Right now, be careful in drinking green tea; perhaps you can settle for a small cup every other day just to satisfy your thirst for it.
When you feel anything abnormal, seek the help of your doctor at once. Besides, its just going to be for nine months and after that, you can resume in drinking tea again. Aside from not taking caffeinated drinks, you're also not allowed to take just any kind of medicine because it can be harmful to your baby.
It goes without saying always think of your baby's safety before you do anything.
Facts You Must Know About Your Green Tea
Facts about Green Tea
• Reduces the risk of having cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells especially on the colon, pancreas, rectum, bladder, esophagus, and stomach without harming healthy cells
• Helpful for those who have rheumatoid arthritis
• Reduce the risk of having hypertension and elevated blood pressure
• Reduces the cholesterol level in the body
• Increases metabolism
• Helps body to fight viruses and bacteria by improving the defense action of the immune system
• Reduces the process of thrombosis which helps reduce heart attacks and strokes
• Green tea also helps destroy free radicals
• Helps in reducing fatigue and stress due to its calming action
• Fights cardio vascular diseases
• Green tea is also known for its antibacterial anti viral properties
• The secret of green tea is its catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin (EGCG) which is a powerful anti oxidants
• EGCG is twice as powerful as reservatol whose action is to lower the incidence of heart disease
• Green tea comes from Camelia sinesis plant
• What sets green tea apart from other tea is the way it was processed, green tea leaves are steamed which prevents the important contents from being oxidized
• By contrast other tea brands are made from fermented tea leaves; as a result the other components are converted into other compounds that are not as effective as that of green tea
• New evidence suggests that green tea helps dieters by eliminating fat from the body and helps the body burn more calories compared to caffeine or a placebo
• Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay
• The bacterial actions of green tea can help prevent food poisoning
• Wide variety of beauty products now contains green tea are available in the market that claims to have great effect in beauty and wellness
• Green tea capsules are now available in health stores for those who don’t want to drink tea
• A cup of green tea contains caffeine level of 20 to 70 milligrams
• There are several kinds of green tea that are available in the market they differ on the amount of caffeine content
Harmful effects
To the present study and research green tea have proven a lot of benefits and medicinal properties but when it comes to harmful effects of green tea had been reported to contribute to insomnia or difficulty of sleep experienced by users. Green tea is advised to be taken at least 3 to 4 cups daily and not to be taken as substitute for water.
Caffeine is the ingredient found in green tea that contributes to sleeping difficulty but its caffeine contents is less compared to that of coffee and black tea. Other components of green tea must also be controlled for it can contribute to liver problems.
For pregnant mothers and for under medications it is important to ask your doctor before consuming the beverage for some components of green tea might have reactions with other compounds found in medications.
Green Tea: Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking It
So, just what's all the hype about this centuries old brew that it made everyone absolutely crazy about it? From scientists, to health buffs, to regular people, what it is about green tea that is so great that it seems that almost everyone is drinking it?
First of all, this brew existed for thousands of years. The Chinese and the Japanese have been drinking this for centuries, and is still part of their daily life, and they even said that this tea can keep your body healthy.
Today, scientists have found that there is more to green tea than your average everyday tea. To start, it has antioxidants that are known to help fight off or prevent cancer, and it is also full of certain vitamins and minerals that contribute to making your body healthier.
To name all the benefits, here are 7 reasons why you should start drinking this miracle brew:
• Cancer
As mentioned before, green tea is filled with antioxidants that helps counter the effects of oxidants or what we commonly know as free radicals. By fighting off free radicals, it will help prevent cancer.
• Diabetes
Most people who are diabetics have been found to have low metabolism rate. This means that they cannot get rid of carbohydrates easily which will be stored as fat in the body. This will also increase the blood sugar levels in your body. With green tea, it will increase your metabolism rate and increase your energy levels, which will help in preventing diabetes. Studies on lab rats have found that it is very effective in preventing diabetes and also proves to be an inexpensive way to do so.
• Bad breath
Green is known to help in keeping the teeth and gums healthy. Also it helps in keeping the mouth clean and free from odor-causing bacteria. If you have a bad breath, then this brew can definitely help give you a fresher and nicer smelling breath.
• Acne
Because green tea has antioxidants, it can help in preventing acne as well as treating it. Also, it helps in reducing the inflammation that is associated with acne. By drinking this brew, you will definitely see it as an inexpensive way to treat acne and help you get a smoother skin.
• Alzheimer's disease
Another benefit that green tea provides is that it helps in protecting the brain from Alzheimer's disease. Green tea has been found to prevent plaque deposits in the brain, which is the cause of this very serious disease. With green tea, you will definitely have a healthier brain and a sharper mind.
• Cholesterol
Studies have found that green tea can help in fighting and reducing bad cholesterols. It is also a natural anticoagulant. All in all, it will help in keeping your blood pressure low, as well as prevent heart diseases and strokes. Green tea is also about giving you a healthy heart.
• HIV
Last but not the least; green tea has been linked to help in preventing HIV. Because green tea naturally increases the body's immune system, studies have found that the EGCG that is naturally found in this brew can boost your immune system. Therefore, it may not be very far in the future that green tea will contribute a lot in HIV prevention and cure researches.
These are 7 reasons why you should start drinking green tea. Indeed, this brew can do miracles to the body. If you want a healthier body, then this brew is definitely for you.
Top 10 Green Tea Benefits
Drinking green tea is a traditional treatment. But even so, it’s paving its way into helping out a lot of people regarding their weight, diet and health. There are a lot of studies that shows how green tea has inhibited or reduced the growing risk of cancer.
China’s health history was pretty much a breakthrough because of green tea. It is considered as a very important historical plant that can from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis and is produced through special processing.
What so special about green tea? The secret lies in catechin polyphenols which contains a very powerful antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCE). This specialized antioxidant not only inhibits cells causing cancer but also kills it in the process without even harming adjacent healthy tissues. It has also been proven that green tea can be very effective in decreasing cholesterol levels and inhibits the abnormal accumulation of blood clots.
Aside from those mentioned above, here are some of the numerous benefits derived from green tea.
1. Researchers have claimed that green tea can be the reason for cancer prevention and even the treatment of disease.
2. Can be able to teat cardiovascular diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. Reduces the risk of the effects of esophageal cancer.
4. Used traditionally to treat multiple sclerosis.
5. Treat immune function that is impaired.
6. Used to prevent having Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
7. It is claimed through intensive research that daily consumption of green tea can prevent tooth decay. It is found out that green tea can fight and kill bacteria that are one of the leading causes of plaque.
8. It can result to decreased risk of heart attacks and heart diseases by reducing thrombosis formation.
9. Improves the ratio of good cholesterol against bad cholesterol.
10. Lastly, it is said to increase fat oxidation and metabolism inside the body. That is why it is used by many who wanted to lose weight without even compromising the health.
The difference of green tea apart from other Camellia Sinensis plant extracts is the way it is processed. Leaves of green tea are steamed or brewed that gives more reason for EGCG not to be oxidized. Black tea, on the other hand, is made through fermentation. The process of fermenting the leaves of black tea can covert EGCG into compounds that aren’t even close to the effectiveness of the original compounds found in green tea in terms of fighting and preventing numerous diseases.
Caffeine in green tea?
Aside from its many advantages, green tea can have one slight so-called "disadvantage" and that is its caffeine content. Caffeine can cause a sleeping disorder that makes a person experience difficulty in sleeping which is also known as insomnia.
However, compared to coffee, green tea has less caffeine. With proper consumption, people can decreased the undesired caffeine content in their green tea.