We can all thank the ancient Chinese for drawing our attention to the wonders that may be found in a simple yet pleasurable cup of green tea.
For hundreds of years, green tea was used to relieve headaches and depression in China. The habit of drinking tea has been passed on and today it is becoming popular because of the many benefits being discovered by regularly drinking this relaxing drink.
Tea comes in many forms and varieties, but there are three uniquely different types of tea.
All tea, whether black, green, or red, comes from the leaves of a warm weather evergreen called Camellia Sinensis. The difference comes in when the leaves are processed.
The more processed the leaves are, the darker the tea becomes, which means that green tea has had the least processing.
Green tea is usually processed by quickly steaming the leaves, while black and red teas are dried, crushed and fermented, making them appear stronger and more potent.
Don’t be misled by this visible characteristic, as many believe that the closer it is to its natural state, the more valuable the medicinal and healing properties.
Tea is known to have polyphenols, an antioxidant which helps protect our bodies from free radical damage.
The measure of antioxidants is known as the ORAC score and tea has been found to rank higher than many fruits and vegetables, so you should seriously consider including tea in your everyday diet.
In addition to the prevention of unwanted blood clotting, studies indicate that polyphenols may lower cholesterol levels and when consumed four to six cups a day my reduce gastric, esophageal and skin cancers. A quick internet search of the benefits of drinking green tea will reveal a seemingly endless list of ailments, aches, and pains that may be relieved through the daily enjoyment of this non-prescription drink.
Some of the more popular ailments that can be cured are cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and impaired immune functions.
But many don’t realize that the benefits of drinking green tea may also be found to aid us against digestive disorders, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s while raising metabolism and increasing fat oxidation. It’s even reported to help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes dental plaque.
Regardless of the reason you might have for drinking green tea, it’s clear that everyone can derive some benefit from daily consumption.
It should be noted that many of today’s more marketable “herbal teas” may or may not be tea at all as many of these products are blends of herbs and spices with other plant parts included for flavoring.
They do not contain the health promoting qualities of Camellia Sinensis. Be careful when buying these products. Check the ingredients to make sure you are buying the product that you expect.