Green Tea

Green tea is nearly the least processed of all teas except white tea, as the leaves are harvested and dried before they have a chance to ferment. This allows green tea to retain many of the antioxidant properties that are lost during the processing of other teas, and also produces a fresh, slightly astringent flavor similar to that of raw tea leaves.

Every type of tea (excluding herbal teas, which are not truly tea) come from the Camelia sinensis evergreen shrub. The history of green tea originates with the Chinese, who are thought to have began consuming it about 5,000 years ago. Today, most green tea is produced by India and Sri Lanka.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/green-tea/NS_patient-green_tea

Green tea has a long history as both a beverage and herbal medicine in Asian culture. In India, Japan, China, and Thailand, green tea has been used as an astringent to control bleeding and help heal wounds, as a diuretic, a mild stimulant, to help regulate body temperature and blood sugar, and to reduce gas and aid in digestion.

Recent studies have indicated that drinking green tea regularly may help reduce one's chances of heart disease and cancer, lower cholesterol levels, reduce the inflammation associated with Crohn's Disease, lower blood pressure, and may assist in weight loss by raising the body's metabolism.

Studies show the antioxidant effects of catechins in green tea may be beneficial at reducing stomach and esophageal cancers. http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/tea

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor or pharmacist before using the information presented here.