Many Health Benefits of Green Tea

As you may know, the benefits of green tea are abundant and far-reaching. Green tea is used by many to lose weight, improve cardiovascular condition, or simply as a preventative health measure. Bottom line, studies show that those who drink green tea enjoy a longer, healthier life. The general benefits of green tea may include:

•     Lowers total cholesterol and LDL (bad)-cholesterol levels
•     Increases HDL (good)-cholesterol levels
•     Reduces blood pressure
•     Lowers blood sugar
•     Acts as "blood thinner"
•     Reduces the risk of cancer
•     Reduces the risk of heart attack
•     Decreases the risk of stroke
•     Decrease the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis
•     Protects against Parkinson's disease
•     Enhances immune function
•     Acts as an antibacterial and antiviral agent
•     Helps burn extra calories
•     Prevents dental cavities and gum disease
•     Builds stronger bones
•     Boosts longevity

Green Tea - Increase Metabolism Naturally

A University of Geneva medical study showed that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. This increase in fat oxidation was higher than in subjects who used a placebo or caffeine. In addition, this stimulation of thermogenesis and fat oxidation by the green tea extract was not accompanied by an increase in heart rate. Thus, green tea extract has a distinct advantage over stimulant diet drugs, which can have adverse cardiovascular effects, especially for obese individuals with hypertension and other cardiovascular complications.

Green Tea - Suppress Appetite Safely

Scientists at the University of Chicago have found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60 percent less food after seven days of daily injections. The lead scientist on the study explained that a person would have to drink green tea almost constantly to obtain these results.

Green Tea and Polyphenols

Green Tea is the #1 source of polyphenols, chemical compounds found in fruits and vegetables. These extremely high levels of polyphenols deliver green tea's unique results in several ways. Just one example is a subgroup of polyphenols, exclusive to green tea, called catechins. EGCG, the most abundant and powerful of green tea's 5 main catechins, is dubbed the 'super antioxidant' because it is 200 times more powerful than the popular antioxidant vitamin E. This super antioxidant eliminates free radicals, the unstable molecules in the body that are the major cause of both aging and disease, which are continually attacking the body. Unfortunately, polyphenols have a quick life span (short half life) of about 3 hours, thus the scientific reason behind researchers' recommendation to drink green tea a minimum of 8 times a day.

So try green tea today to take advantage of what many people have already discovered and live a happier healthier life.

Author: Gerald Meyer
Read - Five Effective Ayurvedic Tea Recipes for Weight Loss