Monday, January 14, 2013
Scotch with Green Tea Drink
This is a bit different. Green tea actually tastes really good with scotch. I would us regular Green Tea but with a simple syrup and agave nectar. Maybe a nice warm cocktail after dinner? Here's the Tipsy Bartender's recipe:
1oz Black Label Scotch
Fill with Green Tea
Crazy thing, it's really popular in China particularly Hong Kong. If you know anything about Asian culture, they have a strong appreciation for quality scotch!
What is the Green Tea Diet Plan
Eating and dieting these days do not usually involve your favorite beverages like green tea and coffee. But this is not always necessarily the case. With some bit of planning and a lot of discipline, your diet plan and weight regime can include your morning cups of coffee or green tea.
South Beach Diet Plan
An idea formulated by Dr. Agatston, the South Beach Diet plan is not low-carb, nor low-fat. According to its originator, the South Beach Diet plan "teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats."
This diet plan is comprised of three phases Banishing your Cravings, Reintroducing Carbs, and A Diet for Life. Using artificial sweetener and low-fat milk in your coffee or green tea during all three phases is one way to go on losing weight without having to give up your brewed cup. Going decaf with your coffee might also be a good idea since the objective of this diet is maintaining even insulin levels. If you're a green tea drinker, then there is less worries for you. Green tea contains only very few amounts of caffeine.
The Zone Diet Plan
The Zone Diet plan was developed by Barry Sears, a former biotechnology researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This diet plan is based on the maintenance and consistency of insulin levels. Because this diet plan also concerns itself with insulin control, the issues that arise are handled similarly as that with the South Beach Diet plan. Taking decaffeinated coffee and green tea is all right as long as these beverages don't spike up your insulin. The eating program of the Zone Diet plan requires you to use artificial sweetener and low-fat milk in your coffee or green tea. Blood Type Diet Plan
The Blood Type Diet plan is a weight loss regimen where the foods you eat are based on your blood type. The eating program of the Blood Type Diet plan is more restricted compared to the South Beach Diet plan, the Zone Diet plan, and the Atkins Diet plan. For instance, for people with blood types A and AB, coffee is highly advised. But for those with blood types O, adding coffee to the Blood Type Diet plan should be avoided. Green teas on the other hand are acceptable for any blood types. However, adding natural sweeteners like sugar, honey, stevia, or maple syrup in green tea should be avoided in this diet plan. Sugar Busters Diet Plan
The name of the diet plan says it all. Subscribers to this diet plan are highly cautioned against sugars. Coffee and green teas are perfectly fine but only use artificial sweeteners.
Atkins Diet Plan
Another low-carb diet plan variety, the Atkins Diet plan works best with caffeine-free coffee and green tea. For best results, artificial sweeteners in your green tea and coffee are advised to keep your carbs down. Paleolithic Diet Plan
Also called the Stone Age Diet plan, this diet plan is based on the consumption of simple, unprocessed foods that our Neanderthal ancestors would have eaten. This diet plan is perfect for green tea drinkers. Green tea is simple and 100% natural steamed dried leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. If you're a coffee drinker, you might be in for a tougher choice since you might have to give up coffee all together with this diet plan. Sugars in green teas are still a big no-no, especially the refined kind.
As you can see, there are plenty of options available to help you with your diet plan, and enjoying the benefits of green tea is a great place to start.
South Beach Diet Plan
An idea formulated by Dr. Agatston, the South Beach Diet plan is not low-carb, nor low-fat. According to its originator, the South Beach Diet plan "teaches you to rely on the right carbs and the right fats."
This diet plan is comprised of three phases Banishing your Cravings, Reintroducing Carbs, and A Diet for Life. Using artificial sweetener and low-fat milk in your coffee or green tea during all three phases is one way to go on losing weight without having to give up your brewed cup. Going decaf with your coffee might also be a good idea since the objective of this diet is maintaining even insulin levels. If you're a green tea drinker, then there is less worries for you. Green tea contains only very few amounts of caffeine.
The Zone Diet Plan
The Zone Diet plan was developed by Barry Sears, a former biotechnology researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This diet plan is based on the maintenance and consistency of insulin levels. Because this diet plan also concerns itself with insulin control, the issues that arise are handled similarly as that with the South Beach Diet plan. Taking decaffeinated coffee and green tea is all right as long as these beverages don't spike up your insulin. The eating program of the Zone Diet plan requires you to use artificial sweetener and low-fat milk in your coffee or green tea. Blood Type Diet Plan
The Blood Type Diet plan is a weight loss regimen where the foods you eat are based on your blood type. The eating program of the Blood Type Diet plan is more restricted compared to the South Beach Diet plan, the Zone Diet plan, and the Atkins Diet plan. For instance, for people with blood types A and AB, coffee is highly advised. But for those with blood types O, adding coffee to the Blood Type Diet plan should be avoided. Green teas on the other hand are acceptable for any blood types. However, adding natural sweeteners like sugar, honey, stevia, or maple syrup in green tea should be avoided in this diet plan. Sugar Busters Diet Plan
The name of the diet plan says it all. Subscribers to this diet plan are highly cautioned against sugars. Coffee and green teas are perfectly fine but only use artificial sweeteners.
Atkins Diet Plan
Another low-carb diet plan variety, the Atkins Diet plan works best with caffeine-free coffee and green tea. For best results, artificial sweeteners in your green tea and coffee are advised to keep your carbs down. Paleolithic Diet Plan
Also called the Stone Age Diet plan, this diet plan is based on the consumption of simple, unprocessed foods that our Neanderthal ancestors would have eaten. This diet plan is perfect for green tea drinkers. Green tea is simple and 100% natural steamed dried leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. If you're a coffee drinker, you might be in for a tougher choice since you might have to give up coffee all together with this diet plan. Sugars in green teas are still a big no-no, especially the refined kind.
As you can see, there are plenty of options available to help you with your diet plan, and enjoying the benefits of green tea is a great place to start.
The Benefits of Green Tea and your cholesterol levels
High Cholesterol is a problem running rampant in the United States. Green Tea is a great way to help in that endeavor. Take a look at some of these facts below:
Cholesterol, triglycerides, the protein apoB in LDLs, are words dreaded by humans of the modern age. However, with vast medicinal research especially in Asia, we are finding more solutions to Western Hemisphere problems.
We are finding that Green Tea not only aids in helping bad cholesterol levels deteriorate, but helping to slow the growth of cancer cells. Since Green Tea is home to many antioxidants, it's great as a natural healer. According to The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, there was an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal (stomach) cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. In another study by the University of Kansas, determined that EGCG may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.
And more good news! It's not just green tea and cholesterol; it's also green tea and high blood pressure. Habitually drinking 5 to 10 cups a day of green tea lowers high blood pressure.
The medicinal use of Green Tea goes back to 4,000 years from the Chinese using it ot treat everything from headaches to depression!
Drinking green tea helps other ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, Cardiovascular disease, infection, and impaired immune function.
Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a good anti-cancer element. Polyphenol limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet.
It even helps with cleaning your teeth. The green tea acts as a bacteria killer and helps to promote stronger teeth to prevent decay.
These are just a few items besides cholesterol that will help your overall health
Cholesterol, triglycerides, the protein apoB in LDLs, are words dreaded by humans of the modern age. However, with vast medicinal research especially in Asia, we are finding more solutions to Western Hemisphere problems.
We are finding that Green Tea not only aids in helping bad cholesterol levels deteriorate, but helping to slow the growth of cancer cells. Since Green Tea is home to many antioxidants, it's great as a natural healer. According to The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, there was an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal (stomach) cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. In another study by the University of Kansas, determined that EGCG may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.
And more good news! It's not just green tea and cholesterol; it's also green tea and high blood pressure. Habitually drinking 5 to 10 cups a day of green tea lowers high blood pressure.
The medicinal use of Green Tea goes back to 4,000 years from the Chinese using it ot treat everything from headaches to depression!
Drinking green tea helps other ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, Cardiovascular disease, infection, and impaired immune function.
Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a good anti-cancer element. Polyphenol limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet.
It even helps with cleaning your teeth. The green tea acts as a bacteria killer and helps to promote stronger teeth to prevent decay.
These are just a few items besides cholesterol that will help your overall health
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Green Tea and other herbs equal weight loss
Studies show that the relation between green tea and weight loss are substantially linked together through the plant's thermogenic properties. This properites helps in increasing the metabolic process and as result the body increases heat which helps to burn calories and increase fat loss. Certain substances in green tea are believed increase weight loss.
Weight Loss in Other Herbs
Fortunately, there are other herbs out there such as Gugulipid that has been shown to augment the metabolic rate of the body and help with thermogenesis. Gugulipid has also been reported as a catalyst for lowering down cholesterol levels.
Another herb that aids in weight loss is Maitaki. Derived from a Japanese plant, Maitaki helps promote weight loss by targeting the liver, which is a major digestive part of the body.
Maximizing Weight Loss Benefits in Green Tea
A standardized weight loss herbal extract of pure green tea is needed in order to maximize the weight loss benefits of green tea. The market offers several green tea weight loss products that do not use standardized extract. These non-standardized green tea weight loss products are cheaper but do not contain enough active green tea substances to have any significant weight loss benefits.
Scientists and traditional herbalists believe that better weight loss results are achieved when green tea is used in conjunction with other weight loss herbs and with other nutrients. So before buying a green tea weight loss product, it is advisable that you choose a product that contains a rich blend of green tea herbs, minerals and nutrient that aid in weight loss.
Green tea when combined with ginger and olive leaf helps lower cholesterol and promotes weight loss. Green tea helps stop blood vessel constriction while CoQ 10 protects the heart and ensure blood pressure levels. By mixing green tea with CoQ 10, you will not only achieve maximum weight loss but you will also be able maintain the health of several body systems at one time. The Ideal Green Tea Weight Loss Product
The first thing to make sure of when buying green tea products is to see if the manufacturer of the green tea extract follows strict GMP compliance, the manufacturing standard used throughout the world. Having GMP approval in green tea products assures you that you are getting a product of the highest quality.
Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, herbal products such as green tea are considered dietary supplements. This means that the success or effectiveness of these products do not have any guarantees. Companies or manufacturers that claim 100% success in their green tea products are doing false advertising and should not be patronized.
For assurance that you're getting your money's worth when you buy a green tea product, find a product that is using standardized green tea extract. Look for strict GMP compliance and make sure that the manufacturer of the green tea product has all the proper credentials in product formulation.
What is Green Tea?
What is Green Tea, you ask? Not so simple of a question to be honest.
All true teas - as distinct from herbal and flower infusions, which tea lovers call tisanes - are made from the leaves of a magnolia-related evergreen tree with the botanical name of Camellia sinensis. These can grow up to 30 feet in height in the wild, but on tea plantations, the plant is kept as a shrub, and cut to a height of about 3 feet to encourage new growth and for convenient picking.
Generally, tea plants grow only in warm climates but flourish at altitudes ranging from sea level to 7,000 feet. The better teas a while longer to develop which adds to the richness in flavor. A new tea plant might take around 2 1/2 to 5 years to mature for actual production and consumption in store bought teas, but they will last longer.
All tea plants belong to the same species-Camellia sinensis-, but local growing conditions (altitude, climate, soils, etc.) vary, resulting in a multitude of distinctive leaves. The way the leaves are processed, however, is even more important in developing the individual characteristics of the three predominant types of tea: green, black and oolong.
Green tea is the least processed and provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea.
Green tea is made by briefly steaming the just harvested leaves, rendering them soft and pliable and preventing them from fermenting or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are rolled, then spread out and "fired" (dried with hot air or pan-fried in a wok) until they are crisp. The resulting greenish-yellow tea has a green, slightly astringent flavor close to the taste of the fresh leaf.
Green tea has always been, and remains today, the most popular type of tea from China where most historians and botanists believe the tea plant originated throughout all of Asia. Why is this so? Perhaps because green tea not only captures the taste, aroma and color of spring, but delivers this delightful bouquet along with the highest concentration of beneficial phytonutrients and the least caffeine of all the teas. The key to the amazing health benefits that are derived from consuming green tea is that the leaves are steamed which preserves the EGCG compound from being oxidized. Other teas are fermented which breaks down the natural EGCG and takes away from its healing properties.
In fact, green tea has very long and storied history dating back thousands and thousands of years. It can be quite fascinating to know what the Chinese have known for centuries.
Generally, tea plants grow only in warm climates but flourish at altitudes ranging from sea level to 7,000 feet. The better teas a while longer to develop which adds to the richness in flavor. A new tea plant might take around 2 1/2 to 5 years to mature for actual production and consumption in store bought teas, but they will last longer.
All tea plants belong to the same species-Camellia sinensis-, but local growing conditions (altitude, climate, soils, etc.) vary, resulting in a multitude of distinctive leaves. The way the leaves are processed, however, is even more important in developing the individual characteristics of the three predominant types of tea: green, black and oolong.
Green tea is the least processed and provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea.
Green tea is made by briefly steaming the just harvested leaves, rendering them soft and pliable and preventing them from fermenting or changing color. After steaming, the leaves are rolled, then spread out and "fired" (dried with hot air or pan-fried in a wok) until they are crisp. The resulting greenish-yellow tea has a green, slightly astringent flavor close to the taste of the fresh leaf.
Green tea has always been, and remains today, the most popular type of tea from China where most historians and botanists believe the tea plant originated throughout all of Asia. Why is this so? Perhaps because green tea not only captures the taste, aroma and color of spring, but delivers this delightful bouquet along with the highest concentration of beneficial phytonutrients and the least caffeine of all the teas. The key to the amazing health benefits that are derived from consuming green tea is that the leaves are steamed which preserves the EGCG compound from being oxidized. Other teas are fermented which breaks down the natural EGCG and takes away from its healing properties.
In fact, green tea has very long and storied history dating back thousands and thousands of years. It can be quite fascinating to know what the Chinese have known for centuries.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Can Green Tea Treat Skin Cancer?
Green Tea used a topical ointment can greatly reduce the risk of getting skin cancer. This is especially useful for those with sensitive skin and those always out in the sun.
Some of the most promising cancer research going on today involves the use of green tea and its ability to prevent cancer and even treat cancer in patients who have already been diagnosed with the disease. Researchers are examining many possibilities for how green tea might be used, and working to determine the cancer types for which it holds the most promise.
Over the last few years, scientists have learned a great deal about the importance of a diet rich in anti-oxidants.
Anti-oxidants are a powerful tool in slowing down the aging process and preventing disease. They are even more important than even with the number of processed foods we consume. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants, as is dark chocolate and green tea. These are also great nutrients to have on deck. Coffee is also a source of anti-oxidants, though it is not nearly as rich in them as green tea. The process our bodies go through to convert our food to energy creates free radicals each day. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that damage our cells and DNA. If we don't combat them, the make us age more quickly, they contribute to the development of blocked arteries and the make us more susceptible to the diseases and problems of aging. So, it's certain that we all need to consume a high level of anti-oxidants as part of our everyday diet. But, of particular interest are the anti-oxidants in green tea. Asian cultures consume a large amount of green tea, and have espoused its healing properties for centuries. And, it just so happens that they have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease. There are, of course, other differences between Asian culture and ours.
Notably, we are far more likely to be overweight; and research has shown us that obesity is a significant risk factor for many diseases including cancer and heart disease. However, one other interesting fact; Asian cultures, particularly Japanese men are far more likely to smoke than we are, yet they still have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease. So, green tea is of significant importance in our quest to live longer and be healthier. There are hundreds of studies that have shown that green tea is a good cancer preventative and can increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments. One important study is linked to skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. While only 4% of skin cancer cases are melanoma, it causes more deaths than any other type of skin cancer. The number of new cases of melanoma is on the rise in the US- an estimated 62,000 Americans will be diagnosed in 2006, and about 8000 people will die from melanoma in the US this year.
Nonmelanoma is extremely common. It is estimated that about one million people develop nonmelanoma cancer each year; this is about the same number of people who contract all other types of cancer combined. However, people rarely die from nonmelanoma only about 1000 each year in the US. Since skin cancer is so prevalent in our country, it's critical that we spend time and money researching how we can treat this cancer. Of course, skin cancer is, in part, preventable. So, as part of a healthy lifestyle we should be diligent about protecting ourselves from the sun, because this is the most important aspect of preventing both types of skin cancer. To reduce your risk of skin cancer, be sure that you are always protected from the sun, even on cloudy days, and even in the winter. Cover as much of your body as possible with clothing, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on any areas that you cannot cover. Be sure to follow the directions on sunscreen closely; many people do not use enough sunscreen and do not reapply it often enough. As scientists are researching ways to prevent and treat skin cancer, the results involving green tea are promising. One particular study reported by the Alternative Medicine Review showed excellent results in skin cancer prevention and treatment in mice with the use of green tea both applied topically and given orally*. In this study, mice were exposed to about seven different kinds of carcinogens, all of which are known to cause or contribute to skin cancer. The mice were divided into groups. Some of the groups were treated with green tea by substituting it for their drinking water. Others were treated topically with green tea extract. Some of the groups of mice were already suffering from skin cancer, as well. The research was conducted so that mice undergoing exposure to each different carcinogen were treated with green tea in both forms. For example, some of the mice being exposed to UVB rays were treated with only oral green tea, while others were treated with only topical green tea extract. The research concluded that all of the mice benefited from the green tea treatment, whether it was given orally or applied topically. In every group, the green tea was effective at preventing skin cancer. The study found that green tea applied topically seems to scavenge and destroy skin cells that are likely to become cancerous before they can mutate. The green tea, whether given orally or applied topically, slowed down the cancer growth in the mice that were already infected. In addition, green tea given orally seemed to cause some regression of existing skin cancer. Of course, these results are very promising. If this research is a good indicator of how green tea might work in humans, as well, then topically applied green tea may become the new trend in skin products. In addition, these findings support other findings that conclude that drinking green tea is effective in preventing and treating many forms of cancer. The next step, of course, is to conduct human trials to see if the same results prove true. It certainly seems that we have enough information to suggest that green tea should be part of everyone's diet for its ability to slow down aging and prevent disease. The most exciting news from this study is the idea that we might benefit dramatically from the simple step of applying a form of green tea to our skin. Addition of green tea to our sunscreens, lotions and moisturizers could have a dramatic effect on the number of skin cancer diagnosed each year. And, even for those already diagnosed with skin cancer, green tea applied to the skin might prove to be an effective treatment to kill the cancer cells, or at least slow down their progression.
Anti-oxidants are a powerful tool in slowing down the aging process and preventing disease. They are even more important than even with the number of processed foods we consume. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in anti-oxidants, as is dark chocolate and green tea. These are also great nutrients to have on deck. Coffee is also a source of anti-oxidants, though it is not nearly as rich in them as green tea. The process our bodies go through to convert our food to energy creates free radicals each day. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that damage our cells and DNA. If we don't combat them, the make us age more quickly, they contribute to the development of blocked arteries and the make us more susceptible to the diseases and problems of aging. So, it's certain that we all need to consume a high level of anti-oxidants as part of our everyday diet. But, of particular interest are the anti-oxidants in green tea. Asian cultures consume a large amount of green tea, and have espoused its healing properties for centuries. And, it just so happens that they have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease. There are, of course, other differences between Asian culture and ours.
Notably, we are far more likely to be overweight; and research has shown us that obesity is a significant risk factor for many diseases including cancer and heart disease. However, one other interesting fact; Asian cultures, particularly Japanese men are far more likely to smoke than we are, yet they still have a much lower incidence of cancer and heart disease. So, green tea is of significant importance in our quest to live longer and be healthier. There are hundreds of studies that have shown that green tea is a good cancer preventative and can increase the effectiveness of cancer treatments. One important study is linked to skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. While only 4% of skin cancer cases are melanoma, it causes more deaths than any other type of skin cancer. The number of new cases of melanoma is on the rise in the US- an estimated 62,000 Americans will be diagnosed in 2006, and about 8000 people will die from melanoma in the US this year.
Nonmelanoma is extremely common. It is estimated that about one million people develop nonmelanoma cancer each year; this is about the same number of people who contract all other types of cancer combined. However, people rarely die from nonmelanoma only about 1000 each year in the US. Since skin cancer is so prevalent in our country, it's critical that we spend time and money researching how we can treat this cancer. Of course, skin cancer is, in part, preventable. So, as part of a healthy lifestyle we should be diligent about protecting ourselves from the sun, because this is the most important aspect of preventing both types of skin cancer. To reduce your risk of skin cancer, be sure that you are always protected from the sun, even on cloudy days, and even in the winter. Cover as much of your body as possible with clothing, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on any areas that you cannot cover. Be sure to follow the directions on sunscreen closely; many people do not use enough sunscreen and do not reapply it often enough. As scientists are researching ways to prevent and treat skin cancer, the results involving green tea are promising. One particular study reported by the Alternative Medicine Review showed excellent results in skin cancer prevention and treatment in mice with the use of green tea both applied topically and given orally*. In this study, mice were exposed to about seven different kinds of carcinogens, all of which are known to cause or contribute to skin cancer. The mice were divided into groups. Some of the groups were treated with green tea by substituting it for their drinking water. Others were treated topically with green tea extract. Some of the groups of mice were already suffering from skin cancer, as well. The research was conducted so that mice undergoing exposure to each different carcinogen were treated with green tea in both forms. For example, some of the mice being exposed to UVB rays were treated with only oral green tea, while others were treated with only topical green tea extract. The research concluded that all of the mice benefited from the green tea treatment, whether it was given orally or applied topically. In every group, the green tea was effective at preventing skin cancer. The study found that green tea applied topically seems to scavenge and destroy skin cells that are likely to become cancerous before they can mutate. The green tea, whether given orally or applied topically, slowed down the cancer growth in the mice that were already infected. In addition, green tea given orally seemed to cause some regression of existing skin cancer. Of course, these results are very promising. If this research is a good indicator of how green tea might work in humans, as well, then topically applied green tea may become the new trend in skin products. In addition, these findings support other findings that conclude that drinking green tea is effective in preventing and treating many forms of cancer. The next step, of course, is to conduct human trials to see if the same results prove true. It certainly seems that we have enough information to suggest that green tea should be part of everyone's diet for its ability to slow down aging and prevent disease. The most exciting news from this study is the idea that we might benefit dramatically from the simple step of applying a form of green tea to our skin. Addition of green tea to our sunscreens, lotions and moisturizers could have a dramatic effect on the number of skin cancer diagnosed each year. And, even for those already diagnosed with skin cancer, green tea applied to the skin might prove to be an effective treatment to kill the cancer cells, or at least slow down their progression.
Some good benefits of Green Tea
Many people in the West are seeking alternatives to caffeine based beverages and look to the benefits of green tea. This tea is a traditional part of daily life in several countries, including China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Korea and the Middle East. The caffeine content of the tea is much reduced and this is one of its attractive features as caffeine can cause side effects, such as insomnia.
Green tea is widely available now, in health stores and supermarkets. The guidance is to use one teaspoon per cup. Lots of people with sore throats drink the tea mixed with honey, as it is very soothing. It was first drunk in China and there are several varieties there. It's grown across many provinces and the most well known variety is Longjing. Gunpowder Tea and Bi Luo Chun are also popular. The tea is graded according to quality. The Chinese are firm believers in the benefits of green tea.
Almost no other type of tea is consumed in Japan. They have a wide range of varieties at different cost. One of the varieties is called Matcha and it is a high grade tea used in the traditional tea ceremony. It's also an ice cream flavor and it is used in sweets. As in China, green tea is part of the culture.
There have been many claims made, as the result of medical studies, clinical trials and anecdotal evidence as to the benefits of green tea. It is said to help in the prevention of a number of diseases, including diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and certain types of cancer. Supporters also say that it lowers cholesterol, thus lessening the chance of heart attacks and strokes. Even bad breath is said to be affected by the benefits of green tea as it destroys the bacteria that causes it.
Many tests have been conducted on elderly people in order to assess their mental alertness after prolonged consumption of green tea. Green tea drinkers have shown less mental impairment and it is also believed that the tea boosts the immune system, fighting off disease. Green tea can also help to minimize stress levels.
Whether, the taste of the tea or the health benefits are the motive, there are numerous products available to buy. Loose tea is sold for tea making and there is also a powder variety, which is suitable for making ice cream and smoothie drinks. For convenience, tea bags containing loose tea are also for sale. There is even a Japanese Tea Ceremony kit, a very relaxed way of enjoying the benefits of green tea.
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