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Green Tea Benefits

Green tea is a type of tea made from the evergreen shrub camellia sinensis. It is the same shrub responsible for black tea, white tea and oolong tea. Green tea contains polyphenols in high amounts. This natural chemical found in teas is known for its antioxidant properties. The difference between green tea and other tea varieties is the processing method. In green tea, the leaves are quickly dried after they are steamed.

Green tea consumption originally began in China where it has been used in traditional therapies for thousands of years. Now, this delicate beverage is consumed all over the world because of its refreshing taste and the many well known health benefits of green tea.

Green Tea Benefits

1. One of the health benefits of drinking green tea daily is that is helps prevents and provides protection against various ailments. In China where green tea is a daily beverage, cancer rates are significantly lower than in the United States and other western countries.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
2. Green tea is believed to help stop the growth of cancer cells and kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Green tea is believed to be useful for the prevention of heart, brain, lung, colon and breast cancer.
   
   
   
3. Regular consumption of green tea may help lower total cholesterol levels and help restore the ratio of good and bad cholesterol.
   
   
   
4. For arthritis suffers, green tea can help reduce inflammation.
   
   
   
5. Green tea benefits even extend to slowing down the aging process.
   
   
   
6. It helps reduce cavities and tooth decay. Using toothpaste with green tea extract will help prevent bacterial enzyme from turning sugar into a sticky substance that allows plague to stick to teeth.
   
   
   
7. Green tea can also help boost the immune system to ward off colds and infections.
   
   
   
8. Green tea also works to reduce high blood pressure, and to reduce the risks of heart disease, blood clots, strokes and heart attacks.
   
   
   
9. Green tea is widely used by dieters and is claimed to help with weight loss. One of the reasons for this claim is that green tea is a healthier alternative to soda and juices since it is naturally fat free, sugar free and low in calories. The drink is also thought to increase metabolic rate, so dieters burn more calories throughout the day. The caffeine found in green tea will also help dieters stay energized.
   
   
   
10. Early scientific evidence indicates that consuming green tea can help reduce fatty liver disease and reduce appetite in obese individuals. Green tea may also be able to prevent obesity and excess weight gain by preventing carbohydrates from being turned into stored fat in the body and revving up the bodies fat burning activities.
    
    
    
11. Herbal supplements that extract the antioxidant properties found in green tea are also sold in the market. Known as green tea extract, this herbal supplement provides the same anticancer, antioxidant and other health benefits of green tea. Caffeine free varieties are available and these supplements are concentrated forms of green tea, boosting green tea benefits by offering the equivalent of several glasses of green tea in one pill.

So far, there are no records of side effects of drinking green tea. Do consult a medical professional if you aren't sure and need advice.