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.

All About The Chinese Diet Green Tea: Good For Diet?

Did you know that during the Boston Tea Party, the tea that was dumped into the harbor was mostly Chinese green tea? Well, this delightful beverage has been around for thousands of years and has been part of the Chinese diet since the ancient times. Today, it is highly appreciated for its advantages. As numerous studies have found out, the Chinese diet green tea has a significant number of health benefits. Origin and Background As noted, Chinese green tea has been around for thousands of year, approximately 4,000 years. Legend has it that this delightful brew was discovered accidentally by a Chinese emperor. It comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis, as traditional black tea and oolong tea. And, for centuries, Chinese medicine has used it to treat headaches, digestive problems, lack of energy, and immune enhancement. The Chinese diet green tea is actually produced by steaming the fresh tea leaves at high temperatures, leaving a significant part of the nutritional enzyme content intact. Unlike the black and oolong tea, the green tea is never fermented. Instead, its leaves bypass the fermenting process and steamed, baked or pan heated. The leaves are rolled and those tightly rolled leaves have long been considered as a sign of quality. Chinese Diet Green Tea for Weight Loss One particular claim that linked the Chinese green tea to diet is its being a miracle tea for weight loss. Well, there is no such thing as a "miracle" weight loss food or drug though, but several indications were revealed that Chinese green tea brings a number of benefits to those trying to lose weight. It was revealed that green tea extracts are capable of reducing fat digestion by inhibiting digestive enzymes. Other studies have shown that green tea has thermogenic properties, which are probably brought on by the interaction between its caffeine content and catechin polyphenols. As you may know, thermogenesis is the process of the body burning fuel without making chemical energy. Experts have said that of combined with the other weight loss supplements or techniques, the Chinese green tea could be an excellent addition to your diet. Other Benefits There are also other benefits connected with the intake of Chinese diet green tea. One of those is the claim that the polyphenols found in green tea have been shown to inhibit growth of cancer cells. The polyphenols appear to block the formation of cancer-causing compounds, and it is believed that the Chinese diet green tea has the greatest benefit on cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. The Chinese diet green tea polyphenols are also powerful anti-oxidants. They are even more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E, and more powerful than that found in many fruits and vegetables. The green tea itself contains vitamin C. Further researches even found out that the compounds in green tea stimulate immune system cells. In recent years, research has shown that green tea may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is even good for the teeth as it contain fluoride that helps fight tooth decay. Having said all these, I think that now is the right time to brew up a bit of Chinese diet green teas for a beneficial break in your day.

Why Drink Green Tea: Three Reasons to Enjoy a Popular Beverage

After water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world and there are good reasons for this popularity. One of the most popular forms of tea is green tea and there are a number of reasons why so many people enjoy this beverage. First, green tea is flavorful and there are many varieties of green tea. The difference between teas is the amount of oxidation that the leaves are exposed to. Green tea is not oxidized meaning the enzymes in the tea leaf are not exposed to any oxygen found in the air. By contrast, black tea is fully oxidized and oolong tea is partially oxidized. When dealing with tea taste is a matter of degree and a function of oxidation. Green tea comes in many forms and blends and is popular in every country and culture. Originally produced in China, the consumption and popularity of green tea spread throughout Asia, India and the western world. With the addition of flavors and blends like Jasmine, Vanilla, Mint and varieties like Jasmine pearls, Sencha and Gunpowder, green teas are subtle and appeal to the varied tastes of tea drinkers. Green tea has a unique light taste that appeals to a very large number of drinkers throughout the world and has been popular since tea was first discovered over 5,000 years ago. It is one of the five basic types of tea and is recognized by even the most novice tea drinker. Second, loose leaf green tea has been one of the mainstays of the tea culture. The highest quality tea is loose tea and premium quality loose tea has gained in popularity in recent years. Green tea drinkers enjoy preparation rituals and ceremonies that add ambiance to the tea drinking experience. Whole leaf green tea has served as the basis of tea rituals in China and Japan and, properly served, the tea ritual provides a pleasant experience after a stressful day. When China was the sea power of the world (1405-1433), tea was among the indispensable supplies for the seamen. The amount of vitamin C in the tea drink consumed by the seafarers at that time was enough to prevent scurvy which would kill many European sailors more than 100 years later, but was essentially unknown to the medical officers assigned to the fleet of more than 27,000 men on their round voyage from China to Africa. Lastly, there are strong indications that drinking green tea (and all types of tea for that matter) is very healthy for the human body. Throughout the years tea has been prized for its medicinal qualities and the consumption of tea became a regular event for most families. Tea has been used in China as a medicinal beverage to promote health in mind and body for about 5000 years. The earliest known reference to tea as a health aid dates back to 2737 B.C. Tea was an expensive beverage in ancient China. Its use was confined to the wealthy segments of the population. Only in the Ming dynasty after the fall of the Mongolian empire in 1368 A.D., tea drinking spread from the elite to the populace. The first shipment of tea to Europe in 1606 by the Dutch East India Company was green tea 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. A recent Japanese study, reported by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that adults in Japan who drank more green tea had a lower risk of death from all causes and from heart disease. In addition, compounds in green tea called polyphenols have been much studied for possible heart disease and cancer preventive effects. Although further study may be required to prove absolutely that green tea produces measurable health benefits, the consumption of green teas throughout history add credence to recent medical claims. Tea drinkers have many choices but those that drink high quality loose leaf green tea can anticipate an enjoyable beverage and tea drinking experience.

Reasons why Green Tea is better than Coffee in the morning

Here's an interesting run down by Livestrong about some of the strengths of both Green Tea and Coffee. Each have benefits, but Green Tea definitely edges out. You'll see why in a sec: American adults consume an estimated 146 billion cups of coffee each year, almost three times more than tea, according to the CNN Health website. Tea has a reputation for conferring more health benefits than coffee, but in recent years more information has supported the health benefits of coffee, which may be good news for coffee-addicted Americans. Antioxidants Green tea contains higher levels of antioxidants than coffee, but since Americans drink more coffee than tea, they are consuming more antioxidants from coffee. In fact, coffee is the No. 1 source of antioxidants for Americans, according to professor Joe A. Vinson of the chemistry department at the University of Scranton, who has studied coffee in depth. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that result from the body's normal metabolism and the consumption of toxins that damage cells. Free radicals contribute to the aging process and numerous health problems, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Transportation Solutions Commuting to work is taking less work: Siemens Mobility Solutions. Caffeine Many people drink coffee and tea to benefit from the increased alertness that caffeine provides. While coffee provides three times more caffeine than green tea, according to the Mayo Clinic website, the type of stimulation is much more extreme and has side effects including a sharper crash when the caffeine wears off. Green tea has a milder stimulation effect, and the dissipation of the chemical is hardly noticeable. Disease Prevention Green tea consumption is associated with the lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Coffee consumption is associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease and liver disease. However, it is premature to recommend coffee consumption for disease prevention based on this evidence, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Demographics Comparing health benefits of coffee and tea is not as simple as comparing the two beverages. The effect of the beverages on people is most accurately studied by analyzing human trials. However, according to Vinson, "the problem with a human study is everybody's different." Isolating coffee's effects from other habits or lifestyle choices linked with coffee drinking may be impossible. For example, in Scotland, coffee drinkers make more money and have better general health than tea drinkers. According to market researchers at Experian Simmons, in the U.S., 70 percent of households with an income of $150,000 or higher are coffee drinkers, while only 54 percent of households earning less than $25,000 annually drink coffee. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/362226-overall-which-is-better-green-tea-or-coffee/#ixzz1zD0YihtL Source: Livestrong

Whats New About Green Tea Health Benefits

Understanding green tea health benefits can help you to begin and maintain a healthier lifestyle. If you’re the type of person who finds it challenging to maintain healthy eating and living, a great way to start is by making green tea a part of your daily diet. In today’s hurry up age, it is very possible to spend much of our days rushing to and fro, only taking time to grab a bite to eat on the run. We don’t blame you for being on the go, but at some point you have to stop and take care of your health and body to make sure they both last you for the long run. There are many green tea health benefits that have been discovered by scientists and researchers over the years. While not all of the claims to health benefits have been verified, there are those which have. It has been reported that some of the major health benefits of drinking green tea include resistance or reduction of cancer, impaired immune function, infection, high cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Deciding to incorporate green tea health benefits into your diet doesn’t have to be an ordeal but careful planning and consideration should be given to selecting the type green tea product you want to use. There are many different forms of green tea on the market, many of which are not the genuine article. Don’t fall for imposters that claim to be green tea but actually only have a small percentage of green tea extract listed as a fourth or fifth ingredient on the list. Some green tea health products can be purchased over the Internet. This is a great way to not only research the various green tea products that are available, but it eliminates the need to travel to the store to buy them. As a rule, however, you should avoid trying products just because they offer a free sample. The something for nothing concept is usually an auto ship program that subtlely invites you to pay regular charges for automatic refills of a product that may or may not work for you. When you do find a green tea product that you’re interested in taking, it is the best practice to check with your physician, particularly if you are taking any other medications that may react to the addition of green tea to your diet. Once you’re cleared by your doctor, you’re ready to begin experiencing some of the great green tea health benefits that are said to have helped make green tea the rage that currently is in many countries around the world. Remember, not all green tea products are created equal. When the truth is told, there are many lookalike products and even some pseudo green tea items that make the claim but substantiate nothing. So whether you are searching for green tea health benefits for the short or long term, make sure you are selecting authentic green tea items.

Pho Ga and Green Tea Smoothie

This is what I had for lunch yesterday. A big bowl of Pho Ga (basically, Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup) and I washed it down with an incredibly tasty Green Tea Smoothie. Nothing to report about Health Benefits, it was just damn good ;). Woot!

The Truth About Green Tea Capsules

This could be a great deciding factor to put your health on another level. Maybe you’re the type of person who is very active, but you don't have the time to diet and exercise as you should. In today’s hurry up age, it is very possible to spend much of our days rushing to and fro, only taking time to grab a bite to eat on the run. We don’t blame you for being on the go, but at some point you have to stop and take care of your health and body to make sure they both last you for the long run. Such a lifestyle, while conducive to getting things done as quickly as they need to be, is harsh on your body and more specifically your metabolism. Taking the time to replace nutrients that are lost from eating fast food and poor nutritional content in your diet is very important. Green tea is an excellent choice to do just that. Deciding to use green tea capsules doesn’t have to be an ordeal but careful planning and consideration should be given to selecting capsules that are easy to swallow and do not have an aftertaste. There are many different capsules on the market that use the words green tea in them to get your attention. Don’t fall for imposters that claim to be green tea but actually only have a small percentage of green tea extract listed as a fourth or fifth ingredient on the list. Because there are so many green tea capsules gurus, web sites and merchandisers who have products on the market, you should expect to spend a little time researching which capsules you feel are best for you. Be wary of capsules that claim you will lose an outrageous amount of weight in practically no time because these claims are usually false and unfounded. Also watch for web sites that offer you a free bottle of their product for only the cost of shipping and handling as these are often auto ship programs that indicate in very small print that upon accepting their offer you are requesting to be put on an auto shipment program that will continue charging your credit card on a monthly basis. When you find a green tea capsule that suits you, it is a good practice to check with your physician, particularly if you are taking any other medications that may react to the addition of green tea to your diet. Once you’re cleared by your doctor, set realistic goals and milestones. Be sure to reward yourself for each milestone you reach. Remember, no capsule will yield results without a commitment to sticking with the diet. Green tea is no exception and should be used regularly as planned. That way, whether you are considering green tea capsules for cleansing or any other reason you will be giving your body the benefit of the many wonderful properties contained in the formula.