Green Tea Benefits

Worth The Taste?

Many studies have shown that green tea benefits your health in a number of ways.  But have you ever tried to develop a taste for a certain food or beverage simply because you know it’s good for you?  That’s what I’m trying to do with green tea.  While I really like the flavor of black tea (especially iced), liking green tea is a challenge for me.  Perhaps I don’t use the best quality of tea—or maybe it’s the way I brew it.  But I know I want to try to find ways to make it appealing to me.

Why bother, you ask?  Well, here are several possible ways green tea benefits your health.

1. Breast cancer:  Catechins, which are compounds in green tea, have been identified by researchers as playing a role in the death of breast cancer cells.
2. Colorectal cancer:  Research done by U.S. and Chinese scientists in China on over 69,000 women between ages 40 and 70 found that regular green tea drinking reduced the colorectal cancer risk by 37%
3. Skin cancer:  Drinking green or black iced tea before going outdoors may offer some skin cancer protection.  Scientists are still investigating the benefits of green tea compounds for use in sunscreens.
4. Leukemia:  A 2004 test tube study showed that leukemia cells were killed by green tea extract.
5. Alzheimer's disease:  Green tea may delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease.  A British study found that drinking green tea inhibited three important chemical culprits associated with breaking down chemical messengers and forming plaques and protein deposits in the brain.
6. Plaque:  The antioxidant ingredient polyphenols fights plaque thereby lessening bacteria in the mouth.
7. Cavities:  Green tea contains natural fluorine, and small amounts of fluorine can strengthen teeth and help prevent cavities.
8. Reduce cholesterol:  Flavonoids, which are some of the polyphenols in tea, have been shown to reduce LDL "bad" cholesterol in the blood.
9. Heart disease:  A study published by the American Heart Association claimed a 44% reduced rate of dying from a heart attack by drinking at least two cups of green tea per day. Flavonoids in the tea stop blood platelets from forming clots, much like aspirin does.
10. Blood pressure:  Polyphenols make the lining of the arteries more flexible, resulting in better blood flow and better blood pressure readings.
11. Blood sugar:  A decrease in blood glucose levels resulted from green teas being given to diabetes patients.
12. Metabolism:  A recent study showed that people who drink green tea have higher energy levels and burn more calories than ones consuming caffeine alone.
13. Anti-aging:   Green tea contains large amounts of vitamins E and C which are antioxidants. Antioxidants combat free radicals that damage cells.
14. Strong bones:  A Chinese study showed that men and women who have been tea drinkers for at least six years had higher bone mineral density than those who were not tea drinkers.
15. Asthma:  Theophylline, a muscle relaxant in green tea, can help the muscles surrounding bronchial tubes to relax helping asthma sufferers breathe with less restriction.
16. Flu virus:  Green tea catechin has a strong antiviral effect on the flu virus.
17. HIV infections:  It is not a cure or a way to safely avoid infection but green tea catechins have been shown to slow the spread of the virus by binding to immune system cells--leaving no room for HIV to attach to the cells.
18. Athlete’s foot:  Soaking feet in green tea has been a successful treatment for athlete's foot.
19. Food poisoning:  Green tea has the ability to kill bacteria and is a powerful sterilizing agent for all sorts of bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

For even more benefits of green tea, go to Green Tea Benefits and click on Health Benefits.  It may not be my favorite beverage yet, but these are enough reasons for me to make an effort to enjoy it - for my health.  Maybe trying a new flavor is the answer.