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Where health is concerned, there should never be
a compromise, even if one has to consume a bitter pill once or
twice a day. But then, here it is not a discussion about bitter
pills, but something the Chinese and Japanese have contributed
to the world in the form of green tea. And this is one gift to
the world that is known to have miraculous medicinal properties.
The Chinese and Japanese have been consuming this since the
last 4,000 years. |
In fact, the natural medical practitioners prescribe
green tea as part of the normal daily regime. In many parts of the China
and Japan they still practice the elaborate tea ceremony, where a group
of people get together to have a cup of green tea, in a meditative way.
Though the benefits of this tea have been known for so long, yet the
west has only begun to recognize it as a health drink. Many scientists
and medical practitioners are not only researching the numerous benefits
of the tea, but are also promoting it. In a 1994 research paper
published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which was the
results of a study that indicated that those who drank green tea were at
a reduced risk (60%) of esophageal cancer - Chinese men and women.
According to researchers at the University of Purdue; they recently came
to the conclusion that there is a compound in green tea that curtails
the growth of cancer cells. Also the tea has properties that lower the
cholesterol levels. It also balances the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol
and bad (LDL) cholesterol.
What is in green tea that makes it so vastly promoted amongst the global
medical fraternity? Primarily, green tea has an important ingredient
termed as catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
This is a vital anti-oxidant. This has the ability to not only inhibit
the growth of cancer cells, but also them without harming the healthy
tissue. Green tea leaves also have properties that prevent the abnormal
formation of blood clots; which is one of main causes for heart attacks
and stroke.
Below are listed the varied health benefits of green tea:
· It helps prevent cancer. Studies have proven that its strong
anti-oxidant property can reduce bladder, colon, esophageal, pancreas,
rectum, and stomach cancer by up to approximately 60%.
· It lowers the ‘bad’ cholesterol, which is known as LDL
· It inhibits the abnormal formation of blood clots, which in
turn can prevent thrombosis, strokes and heart attacks.
· It reduces high blood pressure
· It lowers the blood sugar level and is helpful where Type II
Diabetes is concerned.
· It washes the toxins that tend to accumulate on the liver
· Helps in maintaining optimum oral health by suppressing the
formation of plaque formation.
· It also destroys the bacteria that bring about plaque
formation.
· To a large extent it control or retards the aging process.
· It functions as a boost for the immune system.
· It helps prevent bacterial and viral infections.
· It helps relieve one from excessive fatigue and exertion.
· It helps maintain a healthy balance of the body fluids.
· It helps stimulate the metabolic rate
· It helps burn calories, thereby promoting healthy and brisk
weight loss.
Brewing a cup of green tea is extremely simple. There are a couple of
companies that manufacture green tea bags, as well as sell them as tea
leaves. To brew a cup one does not have to boil the tea bag or leaves in
the water. Instead they need to boil the water, pour it into the cup,
then add the bag or leaves, cover the cup and wait for about three
minutes. The tea is ready to drink. In case one finds it too bitter then
they can add some honey or sugar. One can also have iced green tea by
refrigerating the blend. And to make something tasty one can add a
little ginger, honey and lemon with lots of ice.
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