| How Green Tea Improves Health |
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| Written by Guest |
| Tuesday, 09 February 2010 10:52 |
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There are basically three types of tea. They are black, green, and oolong teas. What gives each of these three teas their individual health benefits is in the way they are prepared. These teas come from the leaves of a flower known as the Camellia Sinensis. The leaves from the oolong are partially fermented. This leaves the tea with moderate levels of polyphenols. Black tea leaves are completely fermented. This dramatically reduces their levels of pholyphenols. Green tea leaves are not fermented. Instead, they are steamed. This is why green is the best of these teas. It has the most polyphenols. Pholyphenols are antioxidants which are contained in a substance known as catechins, which are found in the Camellia flower. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging cells in the body. Free radicals can cause disease and they can speed up the aging process. They also help control cholesterol, which means they protect the heart. These powerful antioxidants also help boost brain functioning and offer protection from diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia, which cause a gradual mental decline. The reason for this is that there are traceable amounts of caffeine in green tea. It also contains an amino acid known as L-theanine. Together they boost the brain's production of neurotransmitters and stimulate the brain's alpha brain wave motion. This helps a person maintain a calm and alert mental state. There is also research which suggests that this powerful tea can help the immune system. According to a study at Brigham and Women's hospital in 2003, theanine enhances the body's ability to prevent disease. According to a November 2005 study published in the journal Antiviral Research, catechin can significantly reduce a person's chances of getting the flu.
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