Scientific research conducted in recent years has linked the existence of antioxidants, found abundantly in natural foods and especially in Green Tea, with a reduction in the harmful effects of free radicals on the human body.
The level of antioxidant activity in Green Tea has been found to be higher than in any other nutritional component. Green Tea also contains vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, sodium, nickel and more. These ingredients, when combined with antioxidants, contribute to the healthy properties and benefits attributed to Green Tea:
— Preventing cancer and heart disease.
— Reinforcing the immune system.
— Preventing digestive disorders.
— Reducing cholesterol levels, blood pressure, as well as stimulating blood circulation.
— Preventing plaque, teeth decay and cavities, since it is rich in fluoride.
Curbing the effects of aging by keeping skin healthy and young looking
Researchers reporting on a case-controlled study, appearing in the June 1, 1994, issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that Chinese men and women who drink green tea have a reduced risk of up to 60 percent of developing esophageal cancer.
While researchers in Mayo Clinic of Rochester, Minnesota have known for years that the incidence of prostate cancer is considerably lower in Asian countries: one possible explanation advanced by scientists is the high consumption of plant foods among Asian populations. Another is the growing number of laboratory studies indicating that green tea – the most popular tea in China, Japan and other Asian countries – has anti-tumor effects.
The fact is green tea contains a huge amount of polyphenols , chemicals that act as powerful antioxidants and nontoxic, cancer preventive agents.
It has been speculated that the low lung cancer rate in Japan, despite the high rate of smoking , is due to green tea consumption.
Also, Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a plant substance in green tea that is a potent killer of prostate cancer cells. Charles Y-F. Young, Ph.D., and colleagues tested four common components of green tea on cell cultures of three different lines of prostate cancer. One of the tea components, called EGCG, was found to be most potent in inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Now researchers still do work on finding more substances derived from the green tea that are improving health in humans.
Editors' note:Dr. May Trieu is an M.D. who practices oriental medicine on St. Thomas.