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Green Tea - Nature's Bounty of health
Tea (Camellia sinensis) has been used for centuries as a medical drink. Around two-thirds of the world's population drinks tea. It is originated from southern China and extensive cultivated in Asia and in central African countries. Green tea has been consumed throughout the ages in India, China, Japan, and Thailand. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, practitioners used green tea as a stimulant, diuretic (to promote the excretion of urine), astringent (to control bleeding and help heal wounds), and to improve heart health. Other traditional uses of green tea include treating flatulence (gas), regulating body temperature and blood sugar, promoting digestion, and improving mental processes. Tea can be grouped into three main types, black, oolong, and green tea. Green tea is not fermented and is a major beverage consumed in Asian countries. Green tea is produced from freshly harvest leaves of the tea plant and they contain water, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and polyphenols of the flavonoid type. The major flavonoids in green tea are catechins which constitute about one third of its total dry weight. The major catechin present is epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG (>50%). The secret of green tea lies in the fact EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Cardiovascular Benefits New data have increased the interest in green tea or its catechins and its role in treatment of cardiovascular disease (CHD) risk factors. [1] It can be summarized that consuming green tea and its catechins (i) decrease body weight by interfering within the sympathoadrenal system and fatty acid synthesis, (ii) decrease cholesterol absorption and plasma levels, (iii) have strong free radical-scavenging activity inhibiting LDL oxidation, (iv) reduce the adhesion molecule expression, (v) have antithrombotic activities by inhibiting platelet aggregation and (vi) decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The positive effects found suggest that a daily intake of 7 cups of green tea (3.5 g catechins) is a good choose for CHD prevention. "A prospective cohort study of more than 40,000 people in Japan has shown that drinking green tea can significantly cut deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as all-cause mortality, particularly in women. There was no beneficial effect of green tea consumption on cancer mortality, however."[2] Anti Obesity Benefits We have quoted recent reports about the anti obesity benefits of Green Tea for your appraisal. "Green tea, green tea catechins, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been demonstrated in cell culture and animal models of obesity to reduce adipocyte differentiation and proliferation, lipogenesis, fat mass, body weight, fat absorption, plasma levels of triglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol, glucose, insulin and leptin, as well as to increase beta-oxidation and thermogenesis. Adipose tissue, liver, intestine, and skeletal muscle are target organs of green tea, mediating its anti-obesity effects. Studies conducted with human subjects report reduced body weight and body fat, as well as increased fat oxidation and thermogenesis and thereby confirm findings in cell culture systems and animal models of obesity." [3] "Green tea, by containing both tea catechins and caffeine, may act through inhibition of catechol O-methyl-transferase, and inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Here, the mechanisms may also operate synergistically. In addition, tea catechins have antiangiogenic properties that may prevent development of overweight and obesity. Furthermore, the sympathetic nervous system is involved in the regulation of lipolysis, and the sympathetic innervation of white adipose tissue may play an important role in the regulation of total body fat in general." [4] "A 12-week double-blind parallel multi center trial was performed, in which 240 Japanese men and women with visceral obesity, ingested green tea containing 583 mg of catechins (catechin group) or 96 mg of catechins (control group) per day. The continuous ingestion of a GTE high in catechins led to a reduction in body fat, systolic blood pressure SBP and LDL cholesterol, suggesting that the ingestion of such an extract contributes to a decrease in obesity and cardiovascular disease risks." [5] "In conclusion, green tea modulates the glucose uptake system in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and suppresses the expression and/or activation of adipogenesis-related transcription factors, as the possible mechanisms of its anti-obesity actions." [6] Anti Diabetic Benefits We are quoting recent research publications regarding the anti diabetic benefits of green tea. Please note that further studies are ongoing and standard anti diabetic medication should be continued as per advice of a Physician. Anti diabetic effects of green tea have been studied in animals and the results are encouraging, but human studies are few. A study in Japan showed that green tea had an anti diabetic effect. A serum protein was also involved in the anti hyperglycemic effect of green tea. [7] Consumption of Green Tea reduces oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and markers of atherosclerosis. [8] "It is evident from in vitro and in vivo studies that green tea or catechins inhibit the intestinal absorption of dietary lipids. Studies in vitro indicate that green tea catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate, interfere with the emulsification, digestion, and micellar solubilization of lipids, critical steps involved in the intestinal absorption of dietary fat, cholesterol, and other lipids. Based on the observations, it is likely that green tea or its catechins lower the absorption and tissue accumulation of other lipophilic organic compounds. The available information strongly suggests that green tea or its catechins may be used as safe and effective lipid-lowering therapeutic agents."[9] Improves Cognition and Prevents Strokes The powerful antioxidant action of green tea, green tea catechins, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and the positive actions of its other components help to prevent aging , improve cognition and prevent stroke in the elderly. Higher consumption of green tea was associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in a study on 1003 Japanese subjects aged 70 or more. [10] Animal studies have shown that Green Tea antioxidants have the potential to treat Alzheimers Disease, but human trials are awaited. [11] "Green tea is a safe and cheap beverage. Its consumption should be encouraged because it could potentially serve as a practical method for stroke prevention." [12] Prevention of Urinary Stones Urinary stones are similar to arteriosclerosis in epidemiology, mechanism, calcification composition and age at frequent occurrence. The calcification that occurs in arteriosclerosis is inhibited by antioxidants. Green tea leaves contain approximately 13% catechins, which have been shown to have antioxidant effects. Green tea treatment decreased urinary oxalate excretion and calcium oxalate deposit formation. Green tea treatment increases SOD (super oxide dismutase - the body's in vivo antioxidant) activity. The inhibitory effect of green tea on calcium oxalate urolithiasis is most likely due to antioxidative effects. [13] Another study in rats also showed that Green tea supplementation decreased the excretion of urinary oxalate and that Green tea has an inhibitory effect on urinary stone formation, and the antioxidative action of EGCG is considered to be involved. [14] Anti cancer effects Various studies have shown an inhibitory effect in many forms of cancer; however it may be only in a preventive role. A large study in Japan did not show any reduction in cancer mortality due to Green tea consumption. There is some evidence that Green Tea consumption of over 3 cups a day may protect smokers from lung cancer. [15] Skin Photo protection Studies showed that green tea and/or some constituents can offer some protection against UV-induced DNA damage in human cell cultures and also in human peripheral blood samples taken post-tea ingestion. [16] The in vitro and in vivo animal and human studies suggest that green tea polyphenols are photoprotective in nature, and can be used as pharmacological agents for the prevention of solar UVB light-induced skin disorders including photoaging, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers after more clinical trials in humans. [17] Topical treatment of GTP (Green tea polyphenols) and EGCG or oral consumption of GTP resulted in prevention of UVB-induced inflammatory responses, immunosuppression and oxidative stress, which are the biomarkers of several skin disease states. [17] Green Tea for Long Life People who drink at least a pint of green tea each day have a lower risk of death, a Japanese study shows. The lower overall death risk among green tea drinkers appears to be due to a lower risk of death from heart disease. And the benefit of green tea is especially pronounced in women. Green tea is a very popular drink in Japan. But some people drink more than others do. Women who drink five or more 3.4-ounce cups of green tea every day cut their risk of heart disease by 31% compared with women who drink one or fewer 3.4-ounce cups. Men who drink this much green tea cut their heart disease risk by 22%. "Green tea may prolong your life through reducing heart disease and stroke," The findings appear in the Sept. 13 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association. [2] Conclusion Consuming Green tea as a beverage has wide ranging and profound health benefits. Green tea has apparently no side effects and therefore it may be a very wise strategy to consume Green tea for a long and healthier life. To 'Fight Aging and Stay Young' we suggest a good exercise program as part of your lifestyle. References:
Fight Aging Site team has taken maximum care to ensure that the information is authentic. The information has been extracted from published medical trials and text books. The information is not meant to substitute a Physicians advice, nor is it meant to treat any disease. Members are advised to consult a Physician, Dietician, Physiotherapist or Trainer before taking medication or starting an exercise program. Source: FightAgingSite.com |
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