The health benefits of Green Tea

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*The health benefits of Green Tea:*

Green tea specifically has been associated with protection against certain

types of cancer including lung, stomach cancer and its precancerous

condition, gastritis. Moreover, an observational study in Japan found that

the regular consumption of green tea (more than 3 cups a day) might be

protective against recurrence of breast cancer in the early stages.

 

In addition to its potential anti carcinogenic and antioxidant effects,

other studies have shown green tea to have anti-inflammatory, anti

thrombotic, cholesterol lowering, antiviral and antibacterial properties.

 

*Green tea and skin protection:*

A number of animal studies have shown that topical treatment or oral

consumption of green tea polyphenols, inhibit chemical carcinogen or

ultraviolet radiation-induced skin tumours in different animal models.

Treatment of green tea polyphenols to skin has been shown to have a

beneficial effect on the biochemical pathways involved in skin inflammation,

cell proliferation and chemical tumour promoters. These results have been

confirmed in a human model, where topical application of green tea

polyphenols protected against UV light induced DNA damage. Based on results

mainly from animal studies, many companies are now supplementing their skin

care products with green tea extracts.

 

*Green tea extract and weight loss:*

Preliminary research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

suggests that an extract from green tea may help with weight loss by

speeding up fat oxidation. In this study, researchers conducted a 6 week

study of 10 healthy men in their 20's and found that those men who were

given a green tea extract used more calories in a day than those who did

not.

* Source teahealth.co.uk

 

 

Possible Link between Green Tea and Arthritis Prevention

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease and is one of the most common

forms of arthritis. According to an April 13, 1999 news release from the

Arthritis Foundation, the disease affects 2.1 million Americans (i.e., 1.5;

million women, 600,000 men), and usually strikes in middle age. Researchers

conducting a study funded by the Arthritis Foundation report that green tea

may be useful in treating or preventing rheumatoid arthritis; however, more

research is needed to determine its exact role. According to the release,

the polyphenolic compounds present in green tea may limit the onset and

subsequent progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Polyphenols are a class of

compounds that have strong antioxidant properties (i.e., the ability to halt

enzymes that produce carcinogens).

 

In three independent experiments, the mice that researchers gave green tea

polyphenols (GTP) in water exhibited significantly reduced incidence of

arthritis (i.e., 33% to 50% developed arthritis as compared to 84% to 100%

of mice not given GTP in water). According to the release, mice given GTP in

water were protected significantly from developing arthritis, and if they

did develop the disease, its severity was mild. More testing is needed with

humans to determine the role of green tea in the treatment and prevention of

rheumatoid arthritis.

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