Did you know that the Chinese people have been aware of the amazing health benefits of green tea for over 4,000 years? They have been using it as treatment for everything, from headaches to depression.

Numerous studies are being conducted throughout the world in order to establish with concrete evidence its health benefits.

Actually, one of these studies, which took place in 1994, concluded that it can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer by up to 60%.

What is giving green tea its amazing properties are the catechin polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). As it has been clinically established, is that this particular substance is a very potent antioxidant. It does not only prevent the growth of cancer cells, but it can also eliminate them selectively, that is without inflicting any damage to neighboring cells that are healthy.

Another one of the health benefits of green tea, which is equally important, is that it can be very efficient at lowering down LDL, or “bad”, cholesterol levels. At the same time, it boosts HDL, or “good”, cholesterol production. Thus, it improves the ratio of good to bad cholesterol, which is a very important predictor for the onset of heart disease.

Now, if we compare the health benefits of green tea with the respective benefits of other Chinese teas like oolong and black tea, then it clear that the former is superior.

This is despite the fact that all of these types of tea come from the same plant, namely Camelia sinensis. What makes the difference is processing.

In the case of the other types of tea, the plant leaves are fermented, while to produce green tea the leaves are steamed. The steam process prevents the leaves from oxidizing, thus allowing them to maintain their potency as antioxidants.

Another one of the health benefits, which is especially interesting for people wanting to stay fit, is that it is a fat burner.

According to scientific studies, people who take both caffeine and green tea burn down more calories than people who take caffeine alone.

Now, having said all the above, the next obvious question is this: How can one obtain green tea?

Well, one way is to get it in a form you can drink, or get it in pills or tablets.

However, what I urge you to do is take a step back and see your health through a holistic perspective. What I mean is that, if you are seriously considering taking a nutritional supplement to enhance your state of health, it is far better to look for a supplement, which, in addition to green tea, contains a host of other nutrients, which will work all synergistically.

You see, oxidation is only one of the five underlying chemical processes, which take place inside your body and are responsible for your overall health.

Green tea has skyrocketed to fame lately due to findings that they are abundant in antioxidants. In fact, compared to its more popular, stronger, and more aromatic cousin, the black tea, green tea is said to be more gifted with antioxidants and hence is a more healthy beverage.

First of all, what are antioxidants and how are they helpful to the human body? An antioxidant is actually a molecule that can slow down the oxidation process. Do you wonder why a banana, an apple, or most white fruits turn brown when their skin is peeled off? That’s what we call oxidation.

Oxidation is just a stepping stone to the damaging process. What actually damages cells are free radicals, which are produced during oxidation. Free radicals are constantly present in the human body. However, their numbers can increase substantially when your body is constantly exposed to toxins from nicotine, alcohol, ultraviolet rays, and other forms of pollution.

In green tea, the main antioxidant is polyphenol. Polyphenol can neutralize free radicals and can thus reduce the body’s susceptibility to health problems. Through antioxidants like polyphenol, the cells become less vulnerable to damage. Because of this, aging can be slowed down.

This is probably the main reason why many Chinese people have reached very advanced ages. The health benefits of green tea have been known to Chinese scholars since the ancient times. That is why tea is among their most prized products. Japan, India, and Thailand, which are all in close proximity to China, all have a long history of tea drinking.

It is possible that these countries have discovered the green tea health benefits on their own. Either that, or they might have adopted the knowledge from nearby China. Practitioners in these countries have used green tea as a stimulant, astringent, and as a treatment for flatulence.  

One green tea health benefit that has not been proven but is being thoroughly studied is the possibility of it being able to prevent cancer. Although finding that cancer rates are much lower in Japan, where tea consumption is among if not the highest, cannot be enough basis to ascertain the speculation, it won’t hurt to take in more tea either.

People have been drinking green tea for health promotion for well over 4,000 years. Medical research has confirmed what the Chinese have been saying for centuries: that green tea contains special health preserving and revitalizing power. It can speed up metabolism, keep your hunger pangs at bay, and keep you feeling refreshed all day long.

If we already know about this super drink, then why are the sales of soft drinks and Starbucks continuing to rise? My guess is that green tea is not one of the buttons people can choose from on a vending machine. We want convenience, but then we complain that we are getting fat and sick. Here’s the answer, plain and simple. Stop the insanity and start drinking the tea!

Green tea contains more powerful antioxidants than any other product on the market. Even Raisinets! (I say that because it is amazing how the makers of candy try to insult our intelligence by boasting health properties on their packages!) At any rate, antioxidants prevent free radicals from harming our bodies. This is important for our overall health and well-being.

Caffeine is a stimulant that is present in green tea in much smaller amounts than in black tea or coffee. In small amounts, it can be an excellent energy enhancer, but it is best to limit one’s intake, as excess caffeine consumption is unhealthy. Have you ever drank so much coffee that you get the jitters? That is not a good sign. You will not get that feeling from green tea, no matter how often you drink it. Too much is never a problem.

Not to get too hung up on ingredients, let us take a look at the health benefits of drinking green tea. It is a good thing to be aware of what a beverage is made of, but you do not want to spend all of your time analyzing instead of drinking. No one ever asks for the ingredients of a Big Mac, but people gobble them up knowing it is unhealthy. You already know green tea is healthy, so focus on that instead of what is it made of.

HEALTH BENEFITS #1: WEIGHT LOSS
Green tea extract increases metabolism, reduces cravings and aids in weight loss. Green tea may safely increase daytime metabolism as much as 30-40% and increase energy production, as well as a significant fat burning effect. If you have been struggling to lose weight, this should be enough to make you want to start drinking green tea today!

HEALTH BENEFITS #2: ANTI-STRESS
L-Theanine is a natural relaxant and is an amino acid found in green tea. It produces tranquilizing effects in the brain, which diminishes stress, worry, and anxiety. It also allows the brain to focus and concentrate better. You will not get a drowsy or groggy feeling either. It simply calms you by helping to increase electrical brain activity commonly present when you are relaxed.

HEALTH BENEFITS #3: BALANCES CHOLESTEROL
Green tea lowers the bad LDL cholesterol while increasing the good HDL cholesterol. It also reduces blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes and acts as a blood thinner. In a recent study, green tea extract prevented cancer of the breast, lung, liver, prostate, skin, esophagus and colon in animals. Drinking two or more cups of green tea a day may reduced the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent and the overall risk of all cancers by ten percent.

HEALTH BENEFITS #4: LONGEVITY & ANTI-AGING
Those who drink green tea often demonstrate a lower mortality rate than those who do not drink it. Why? One reason could be that green tea stimulates the immune system.

HEALTH BENEFITS #5: BONE HEALTH
The regular consumption of green tea can both reduced risk of osteoporosis while reversing pre-existent bone degeneration.

HEALTH BENEFITS #6: ORAL and INTESTINAL HEALTH
Drinking green tea protects teeth and gums from disease and kills oral bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath. The polyphenols in green tea even promote the growth of friendly bifidobacteria in the intestine, improves digestion and prevents gastritis and stomach cancer.

I am sure there are probably even more health benefits associated with drinking green tea, but you get the idea that it is more than good for you. Before I became a green tea drinker, I had chronic asthma and allergies, low energy and I was 70 pounds overweight. Green tea did not cure everything, but it is one of the main reasons I am now medication free and no longer overweight.

If you are suffering from any of the problems I had, or any listed above, start drinking green tea. You will be amazed at how much better you feel, both mentally and physically.

With the popularity of green tea these days and all the associated benefits, many people are wondering if there is such a thing as green tea pills. Well there are supplements available that contain all that is good in this Chinese herb. The supplements do not contain the caffeine that is found in the tea.

What are the benefits of green tea pills? One of the main benefits is its ability to help prevent cancer. However, when combined in a supplement with many other healthy vitamins and herbs then the benefits would be far greater than a simple cup of tea. Studies have been done to combine vitamins and herbs together so that they all work in synergy together. This type of supplement would give you much better results than a standard supplement.

Would it not be cost effective if you could take one supplement instead of numerous pills and vitamins? Some people just keep buying different pills, vitamins, and end up spending a fortune every month. The best and much less expensive option is to use a multi vitamin that contains numerous herbs, amino acids and vitamins including the health benefits of green tea.

If you want the health benefits of green tea pills, then an appropriate amount is approximately one hundred milligrams of green tea extract. Besides cancer prevention, other benefits include maintaining your cardiovascular and heart health. It also helps you burn more fat when you exercise. In addition, it will also help prevent type II diabetes by improving your sensitivity to insulin.

Other studies link green tea pills and the health benefits of green tea to an increase of your metabolism, which helps in dieting. Look for a supplement that contains a multitude of nutrients. Visit my website as I have much more information available there.

There has been a lot of news coverage lately about the benefits of drinking green tea. It seems that every time you turn around you see more reasons why you should be adding it to your daily diet. But can you get the same health benefits of green tea from green tea pills?

To answer that question, we first need to look at some of the benefits that you can receive. Many studies have been conducted investigating the health benefits that this herb provides. The Chinese have been consuming it for centuries. Now the rest of the world is finally learning how beneficial this beverage is.

• In a study conducted in 2005, it was shown to boost endurance exercise performance and to increase the use of fatty acids in the body to fuel activity. In other words, green tea was shown to help you exercise for longer periods, because you were using up fatty tissues in your body.

• Another study conducted showed that a component of this herb could stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells in the body. HIV spreads throughout the body by joining with healthy immune cells. This discovery indicates that green tea could play a role in fighting HIV (although drinking the tea alone is not enough to stop the spread of the infection, the researchers caution).

• The anti-bacterial properties have been shown to fight the formation of dental plaque. These same anti-bacterial properties also help to prevent food poisoning.

These are only a few of the benefits. There have also been studies to indicate that it is helpful in fighting cancer cells and other illness.

You do not have to consume two or three cups of tea each day to receive the health benefits of green tea. By taking green tea pills (containing the extract) instead, you will be able to consume the optimal amount easily and conveniently. Also, it’s been proven that the active ingredients in the extract are more highly concentrated than in a cup of tea.