ComputerHunter.org |
|
|
|||
|
 |
Is Green Tea Good for Me?
Scientific studies continue to show that green tea is good for you. Tea began its illustrious history as a Chinese medicinal drink, and only gradually did it become the popular beverage that it is today. In traditional Chinese medicine, tea is considered good for you to clear the eyes and head, resolve excess phlegm, promote urination, relieve toxins, aid the digestion, and quench thirst. As with so many foods and medicines, the traditional Chinese medicinal thoughts are being proven scientifically in modern times. Today, there is ample evidence to recommend tea as a daily tonic in the interest of preventing or treating a wide range of maladies, including: cancer, hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, premature aging, food poisoning, dental decay and bad breath, and even arthritis. Tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke. ? Green tea may help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo. ? A Japanese report found that men who drank ten cups of green tea per day stayed cancer-free for three years longer than men who drank less than three cups a day (there are approximately 240 - 320 mg of polyphenols in three cups of green tea). Meanwhile, a study by Cleveland's Western Reserve University concluded that drinking four or more cups of green tea per day could help prevent rheumatoid arthritis, or reduce symptoms in individuals already suffering from the disease. ? Scientists at the Saitama Cancer Research Institute discovered that there were fewer recurrances of breast cancer, and the disease spread less quickly, in women with a history of drinking five cups or more of green tea daily. ? Scientists also discovered that EGCG from green tea can help to prevent metastasis, or the movement and spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to the other by bloodstream or lymph. Cancer cells secrete special enzymes in order to enter and colonize tissues. Research shows that EGCG stops the secretion of these special enzymes. ? A case study that was done in China, reports that those women who drank green tea regularly had a 50% lower risk of developing esophageal cancer. Men showed less risk as well, but not as significant as women. ? Researchers from Sweden reported that green tea blocked the development of new blood vessels in the lungs. By blocking the development of new blood vessels in the lungs, tumors are less likely to grow and metastasize. Scientists believe that EGCG plays a significant rule in blocking the development of tumors. Similar results were achieved in breast cancer, colon cancer and melanoma studies. It is believed that drinking green tea for an extended period of time will help to prevent and might cure cancer naturally. ? The antioxidants found in tea--called catechins--may selectively inhibit the growth of cancer. In laboratory studies using animals, catechins scavenged oxidants before cell damage occurred, reduced the number and size of tumors, and inhibited the growth of cancer cells. National Cancer Institute researchers are investigating the therapeutic and preventive use of tea catechins against a variety of cancers. ? One Chinese study involving over 18,000 men found tea drinkers were about half as likely to develop stomach or esophageal cancer as men who drank little tea, even after adjusting for smoking and other health and diet factors. ? In the laboratory, studies have shown tea catechins act as powerful inhibitors of cancer growth in several ways: They scavenge oxidants before cell injuries occur, reduce the incidence and size of chemically induced tumors, and inhibit the growth of tumor cells. In studies of liver, skin and stomach cancer, chemically induced tumors were shown to decrease in size in mice that were fed green and black tea. ? Green tea catechins can help to prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) that cause dental plaque. Green tea also contains fluoride. One cup of brewed green tea contains around 0.3-0.5 mg of fluoride. This is an optimal level of fluoride according to dentists. As we all know, fluoride builds in our teeth's enamel, making it more resistant against acidic environment, of our mouth. Green tea also eliminates other bacteria that responsible for bad breath. According to researchers, green tea polyphenols can inhibit, by 30%, the growth of bacteria that causes unpleasant breath. ? A study at the Beijing Dental Hospital found consuming 3 grams of tea a day, or about 2 cups, along with the application of a tea extract reduced the size and proliferation of leukoplakia, a precancerous oral plaque. ? Recent research suggests that green tea can lower cholesterol (LDL, the "bad one") increase HDL cholesterol ( the "good one") and lower triglyceride levels. Several tests have been done. And Green tea extract showed positive results reducing cholesterol. ? At the the end of a 5 week experiment, one group with the regular diet showed blood pressure increases. For the catechin fed group, the blood pressure stayed normal. After this initial testing the scientists switched the diets for the two groups. This switch led to a reversal of the blood pressure trends. The study concluded that drinking moderate amounts of green tea each day can help to prevent high blood pressure. The catechins in green tea have addiitonally been shown to help prevent excess cholesterol in the blood, killing the bacteria that causes food poisoning, lower blood sugar, as well as helping to control high blood pressure by supressing the production of angiotensn II. Catechin is also a strong anti-oxidant, which aids in aging related concerns. Green and white tea leaves are less processed than oolong or black teas, which prevents oxidation and retains the highest levels of beneficial compounds. But all teas may be beneficial to your health, so find the ones you like, and drink them daily! Jake Mayer is owner of Lapis Teahouse and runs http://www.tea-dojo.com. He is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist.
Google News - Top Stories
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Alzheimers Disease: Notes from a Medical Intuitive?s Casebook In my medical intuitive practice, I have often been consulted by family and friends of those whose parents or loved ones have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The origin of this disease is unknown, however much attention is being placed upon the growth of Amyloid plaques in the brain. Ganoderma the Miracle Herb - Can It Help You? Let us see if Ganoderma which has been discribed as the "miracle herb" can help you with your health regime. Fruits, Juices, and Food for Relieving Hemorrhoids Part II Eating the right kind of food and following good eating habits will speed up your healing of your hemorrhoids. If you have a diet that is hard to digest and moves slowly through your colon, then, expect to have constipation which will encourage formation of hemorrhoids or prevent the their healing. Inflammatory Arthritis: Alternative Treatments There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis can be treated naturally without drugs. Inflammatory arthritis' symptoms (such as Rheumatoid Arthritis) are exactly what they sound like: inflammation, redness and swelling in the joints. Sometimes there will even be a temperature change in the area affected. Also, in the hand, you may notice that some fingers may look like they are turning away from the thumb (ulnar deviation). Organic Juices for Constipation Organic fresh made juices have cleansing and laxative action, which will help you eliminate constipation. Taken regularly they will help you have daily bowel movements. Lavender Pure Essential Oil Lavender pure essential oil is cultivated and harvested in the Mediterranean today. More specifically, lavender is grown in Provence, France. Lavender, actually comes from the latin word lavare, which means to wash. Since the beginning of time, lavender has been used for all natural skin treatments. The finest of the lavender species is English Lavender, Lavandula Angustifolia, which was formerly known as Lavandula Officinalis. What is origin specific about this species is it only grows above 3000 ft. Lavender pure essential oil can help treat skin conditions, such as acne, and rashes. Just mix up 10 drops of the oil in a quart of water, and spray, or dab with a cotton ball on the surface of the skin. This oil can also help you relax and enjoy a good nights sleep. Take a few drops of the oil, and rub them directly on your temples, and/or on the pressure points on the back of your neck. Then lay down, and enjoy the aroma. Lavender is also one of the main pure essential oils used in massages today. The aroma of the oil is a relaxing aroma, and helps the persons being massaged to relax even more. Also, with the skin benefits of this oil, it is an excellent oil, when blended with a carrier oil, to be used for massages. Lavender, being versatile, and good for the skin, is an excellent oil to have in the cabinet. Try some lavender pure essential oil today. Test Your Indoor Air Quality! How safe is your Indoor Air? Learn How to Do A Successful Gall Bladder Flush To do a Gall Bladder Flush you will need the following ingredients: Beating Your Neck, Back and Shoulder Pain Suffering from neck, back and shoulder pain? If you are, you're in good company. Millions of people wake up every morning and endure every day experiencing pain in their necks, backs and shoulders. While neck, back and shoulder pain used to be thought of as conditions affecting only adults, due to more parents scheduling routine doctors visits for their kids, it's becoming increasingly apparent that children and teenagers are also suffering from the symptoms. So if it's not age that causes this severe discomfort, what is it? Believe it or not, the culprit may be your sleep habits and the position you sleep in. Alternative Fibromyalgia Therapies Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disease that is effecting more and more people, as increasing numbers of patients are being diagnosed with this disorder. What is fibromyalgia, and what are some alterative therapies and treatments for this often-times debilitating disease? Aspergers Syndrome and its Symptoms Asperger's syndrome is a condition common in young children who experience impaired social interactions and develop limited repetitive patterns of behavior. Asperger's syndrome is other wise commonly called as pervasive developmental disorder. Motor activities may be delayed and clumsiness is often observed in an individual suffering due to this disorder. Aloe Vera, an Alternative That Will Improve Your Looks and Your Outlook Do you remember your teen years? Remember that schoolmate that had a less than perfect complexion and always seemed to be the object of cruel comments? Sure, you can relate to what I'm saying! Perhaps it was even you at the receiving end of those comments. Unfortunate as it may be, as a teenager, our outward appearance plays a vital role in issues of self-esteem. Our peers often exasperate the tiniest of imperfections that we may have, making them a Goliath in our life. Many of us needlessly suffered the humiliation of being called toad-face, wart hog or other disparaging names. Mother Nature provides a simple effective treatment for most diseases of the skin, especially those that frequently occur with most young adults. Teas From Plants Around You and Their Benefits All teas unless specified are brewed with 1 teaspoon dry material or 2 teaspoons fresh material to 1 cup of water. Always steep. This means pouring hot water over material and letting set for 5 - 15 minutes. Always dry leaves and roots out of the sun, in dark airy places. Then store in airtight containers. Why Detox? For most of my life I considered myself fairly healthy. I was not overweight, very slim infact. I usually ate two to three meals per day, not a lot of junky type foods, so I thought. I was about to learn the hard way that my life style and eating habits were not healthy at all. The Importance of Touch Through the simple process of touch, Reflexology is so effective in the healing process. In the hi-tech world that we live in, touch has taken second place to machines. Hypnosis and the Treatment of the Agoraphobic Eleven Agoraphobia: fear of the market place. Purchasing Essential Oil Tips on Purchasing Essential Oils How to Get Rid of Smoking, Drinking, Drugs and Other Bad Habits These are practices that I do whenever I am trying to release a pattern that no longer serves my highest good. I am using smoking as an example but you can fill in any other habit instead of smoking like drinking, drugs and other addictive behaviours. Sometimes addictive patterns emerge from emotional charges. You get stressed at work for example and you take a smoke. Whenever emotional charges occur, they need to be cleared. So What is Organic? With allergies on the increase and sensitivities to synthetics becoming life threatening,we are looking for products which aren't going to make us sneeze or break out in rashes or irritate our children's sensitive skin. We scan the supermarket and health food store shelves and find there is a huge range of products on our shelves that claim to be "all natural" and "organic", but are they? Mood Stabilizers & Mood Enhancers - A Remedy to Naturally Boost Mood & Alleviate Depression Depression and mood disorders are very prevalent mental health issues today. In an increasingly health conscious society, more options are being put forth in the realm of natural medicine, allowing people to stabilize and enhance mood naturally, without addictive and often harmful prescription antidepressants.
|
|
|
|
|
