Astonishing Health Benefits:
The Chinese have been drinking this beverage for thousands of years -- giving it a long and proven history as a health remedy.
List of seven health benefits of this tried and true brew:
1.Fights cancer:
A team from the Mayo Clinic found that three out of four chronic leukemia patients (who were given green tea extract) seemed to experience regression of the disease. The fourth patient also showed some improvement. The doctors gave the extract a try after a 2004 test tube study of green tea revealed that leukemia cells were killed by the substance.
According to the American Cancer Society, “Green tea contains chemicals known as polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. Catechins are the major group of polyphenols in green tea. The most important catechin seems to be epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG may cause cancer cells to die like normal cells do. It may also work by stopping new blood vessels from forming, a process called angiogenesis, thereby cutting off the supply of blood to cancer cells.”
2. Lowers blood pressure and also cholestrol:
If you have high blood pressure, you will be more susceptible to a heart attack or stroke. Green tea may prevent the formation of blood clots which lead to heart disease and stroke.Studies have shown that this drink may help lower cholesterol with no side effects. By lowering cholesterol, the body receives help in fighting heart disease and stroke as well.
3. Asthma relief:
Green tea contains a substance called theophylline. It’s a muscle relaxant, so it can cause the muscles supporting the bronchial tubes to relax -- thus reducing asthma’s ability to restrict normal breathing.
4.Weight loss:
Drinking this beverage helps you feel full, so it can curb your appetite. It may also help you burn more calories according to a study published in November, 1999, by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
5.Anti-Aging properties:
Green tea is rich in the antioxidants vitamin E and C. Antioxidants destroy free radicals that damage cell membranes. Damaged cell membranes lead to diseases such as cancer, heart attacks and diabetes.