GREEN TEA AND HEALTH
Despite Living In one of the most high-pressured, polluted urban environments
on earth, the
Japanese enjoy the lowest rate of cancer, heart disease and the greatest
longevity of all
industrialized nations. Why? recent study conducted by the National Cancer
Institute shows that
green tea consumption play a very important role (See references).
Recent research has found that drinking green tea may not only help to
prevent heart
disease, but also may reduce the risk of cancer, fight the flu, and even
dispel bad breath. The
broad health benefits of green tea are derived from its rich supply of plant
chemicals called
polyphenols, of which epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful.
People throughout the would drink more tea than any other beverage, except
water,
green tea and the more common black teas such as pekoe are made from laves of
the same
evergreen plant, Camellia sinensis. The harvest of green tea comprises about
20 percent of the
world's total tea production of 2.5 million tons.
Although green tea is derived from the same plant as black tea, it is
processed
differently: Black tea leaves are fermented before drying, while green leaves
are not. During
fermentation, black tea loses its EGCG entirely, as well as certain amounts
of other beneficial
polyphenols. For optimal benefit, therefor, green tea is superior to black
tea.
FIVE REASONS TO CULTIVATE THE GREEN TEA HABIT
1. Lower the risk of cancer.
Interest in green tea was spurred by epidemiological studies that showed a
lower rate of cancer
in regions where green tea was consumed regularly. Dietary surveys of the
Japanese, the world's
leading green tea drinkers, show that people drinking four to six cups a day
have much lower
incidence of liver, pancreatic, breast, lung, esophageal;, and skin cancers
than people who drink
less green tea or none.
In June 1,1994, the National Cancer Institute released a report concluding
that based on
population study, green tea consumption reduce risk of esophageal cancer by
60%.In 1991,
researchers reported at a meeting of the American Chemical Society that
Japanese cigarette
smokers who drank green tea had a 45 percent lower risk of lung cancer than
other Japanese
smokers. It remains a mystery to health officials that the Japanese have the
highest smoking
rate among developed countries, but the lowest lung cancer rate. Japanese
scientist noted at the
meeting that green tea is "a practical cancer chemopreventive agent to be
implemented in
everyday life."
Perhaps one reason why green tea prevents cancer (and possibly other
diseases) is
because its polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants help control
the activity of free
radicals, the unstable compound that derange cells and are implicated in
premature aging and a
host of diseases, including cancer.
2. Lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Many heart attacks are caused by the aggregation of blood platelets, which
form blood clots that
accumulate as plaque on artery walls and block the flow of blood through
coronary arteries.
Green tea inhibits the production of platelet activity factor, a cause of
blood "clumping."
Green tea also reduces high blood pressure, another risk factor in heart
disease.
Prescription drugs combat high blood pressure by inhibiting the formation of
pressure by
inhibiting the formation of an enzyme called angiotension-converting
enzyme(ACE), which is
secreted by the kidneys and causes blood
vessel constriction. Green tea also limits the formation of ACE. In one
three-month study of 37
people with high blood pressure, drinking green tea reduced the group's
average systolic blood
pressure from 135 to 124 and their diastolic pressure from 85 to 77.
Finally, on another study of nearly 6, 000 nonsmoking Japanese women, aged
40 and
older, those who frank about five cups of green tea daily reduced their risk
of stroke by 50
percent.
3. Lower blood sugar levels.
Studies have shown that animals that maintain moderate blood sugar levels
live longer.
Scientists believe that one reason calorie restriction extends life span in
animals is because it
tends to keep blood sugar levels from riding too high. Green tea helps to
maintain blood sugar at
moderate levels. In one experiment in which sugar was fed to two groups of
animals, one of
which was also fed green tea extracts, the group receiving the green tea had
lower blood sugar
than the control group.
4. Prevent gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.
Green tea limits the growth of bacteria that cause cavities and dental
plaque. Several patents
exist for the use of EGCG extracts in toothpaste and mouthwashes for
controlling plaque, which
contributes to gum disease.
The Journal of the Japanese Society of Food Science and technology reports
that EGCG
in green tea inhibits growth of the bacteria that cause halitosis. The
Japanese traditionally drink
green tea after each meal to make the mouth feel clean.
Where To Find
1. Chinese and Japanese grocery stores;
2. Mail-order: I recommend the following two mail-order vendors
(1) Natru, Inc. E-mail: [log in to unmask] This vendor provides a full line of
tea products,
including green tea, oolong tea and herbal teas.
(2)PanState Health Products, 2333 West 13th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11223. Fax:
718-372-3487.
Write or Fax for a free catalog.
3. Teas sold in supermarket are usually made from low-quality tea leaves.
Avoid them if you
can.
REFERENCES:
1. "Green Tea: More than just a Soothing Brew" by S. Hamlin, The New York
Times, 6/15/1994
2. "Reduced Risk of Esophageal Cancer Associated With Green Tea Consumption"
by Y. Gao,
J. McLaughlin, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 6/1/1994
