Green Tea
Green tea is found in just about everything health related in recent days; its residual benefits are so great, it’s silly not to just sit down and have a cup. With a firm hold on the mind and kettles of the East, green tea is ready for its close up; let the whole world wait in wonder.
Benefits of green tea on health are not yet fully substiantiated. However, the claims are numerous and include:
-Big gains for the elderly as green tea has been credited with stopping neurodegenerative diseases, namely Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
-Another wild claim is the prevention or treatment of cancer and cancerous abnormalities
-Also for claims have been made for treatment of arthritis and MS
-prevents the spread of “free radicals” which prevents degradation of cell membranes
-raises metabolism
-lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) raises HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
-old Japanese wisdom claims five cups of green tea per day burns 80 calories
Green tea has also many other fine benefits; including prolonged health in studies done both in Japan and by the FDA. Loose leaf green tea is very popular in Asian countries.
Arizona and Lipton brands both make a green tea chilled drink which is available at your local grocer, gas station, drugstore, or just about anywhere else drinks are sold. Lipton actually has a few different blends including diet Lipton green tea and Lipton green tea with citrus.
Green tea is one of those things which is shrouded in lore and mystery more than anything else. A study by Yale University School of Medicine actually released a report in 2006, praising the health benefits on the long term effects of green tea. With lower rates of cancer and heart disease in Asia, researchers cited what they called the “Asian paradox.” They posited that the 1.2 liters of green tea which is consumed by many Asians each day leads to high levels of antioxidants which in turn improve cardiovascular health.
As the debate rages on, there is some solace in the green tea argument bubble. Since green tea is available today more than ever, you should check it out and see what all the hub-bub is all about.