| Green tea (Camellia sinesis) has a higher concentration of the antioxidant class polyphenols than the other two primary varieties of tea (black tea and oolong tea). Green tea comes from leaves that have not been through the fermentation process, and so the antioxidants remain in the tea.
Antioxidants wander through the blood stream, looking for free radicals, which can cause all kinds of havoc in the body, ranging from DNA alteration to the death of cells. Also, according to some researchers, these free radicals speed the aging process and can increase risk for cardiac diseases and various forms of cancer. It’s normal to have a small number of free radicals in the body, but such substances as smog, radiation, tobacco smoke and solar rays make them multiply.
Even in ancient times, people in south and southeast Asia consumed green tea for its health benefits, and in ancient China and India, medical caregivers had their patients drink it to slow bleeding, to help cure constipation, and to enhance cardiac health, as well as enhance brain function.
In modern times, a great deal of research has taken place concerning the effects that green tea can have on people and animals, and there are several conditions for which green tea can have an ameliorating (beneficial) effect in the body:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease – As an anti-inflammatory, green tea can help combat the swelling that comes with both forms of IBD (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease).
- Diabetes - Because green tea can regulate the amount of glucose in the bloodstream, it may also slow the progression of Type 1 diabetes; at this time, only animal studies have been conducted, though, except for a study on hemoglobin A1c levels in human patients that showed promising results.
- Atherosclerosis – There has been research demonstrating that, if you consume three cups of tea (green or black) per day, your risk of heart attack drops by 11%. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still does not permit green tea containers to be labeled as a heart disease remedy. Green tea can also lower your LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Weight Loss – Some clinical research has indicated that green tea ramps up metabolism and boosts the burning of fat, and some studies have isolated the antioxidant polyphenols as the key factor in both of those enhancements.
- Liver Disease – If you’re a male, and you seriously enjoy green tea, you can cut your risk of liver disorder. The catch is that the benefits kick in when you drink ten or more cups per day! Animal studies have indicated that green tea can prevent the growth of liver tumors and can help with the treatment of viral hepatitis. Also, human studies have indicated that green tea can give the liver some protection against the effects of alcohol and other toxins.
- Cancers – The toxins in green tea can help prevent the incidence and spread of several forms of cancer: bladder, breast, esophageal, ovarian, colorectal, stomach, skin, prostate, pancreatic and lung.
 Green tea has no proven benefits for children. However, for adults, a dosage of either two to three cups, or 100 to 750 mg, of green tea extract is the suggested level. Always check with your physician first, though, before beginning a green tea (or any other herbal) regimen. If you have stomach ulcers, anxiety disorder, or kidney or heart problems, green tea could do more harm than good. And, green tea is not recommended for fetal or infant consumption, so pregnant and nursing women should not drink it. Also, if consumption of green tea gives you nausea or causes vomiting, you are likely consuming too much caffeine. There are caffeine-free varieties of green tea available, so consult your physician to find the ideal blend for your regimen
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