Green tea leaf contains a higher number of health-promoting plant compounds than other teas, due to the fact that the leaves aren't as processed. In green tea production, the young tea leaves are picked and then quickly steamed, which prevents them from fermenting or changing color. These leaves are then dried until crispy and the healthy plant compounds remain in the leaves due to their minimal processing, according to the World's Healthiest Foods encyclopedia. These compounds, known primarily as catechins, are beneficial in treating a number of medical conditions.
Heart Benefits
Green tea consumption has a positive effect on the heart and the prevention of cardiovascular disease, according to the 2008 issue of Current Medicinal Chemistry. Green tea contains plant compounds called catechins, which are primarily responsible for the tea's health benefits. According to researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, green tea catechins protect the heart by various means. They have antioxidant properties, protecting the heart and body from free radical damage. They reduce intestinal fat absorption, keeping cholesterol levels low. They regulate blood pressure and reduce inflammation in the coronary arteries, which helps prevent atherosclerosis and keeps plaque from forming on arterial walls. The conclusion of the study is that green tea catechins can help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases and help maintain heart health.
Anticancer Benefits
Epigallocatechin gallate, also referred to as EGCG, is a catechin found in green tea that has a major impact on cancer cells. The plant compounds in green tea help suppress the growth of cancerous cells and inhibit them from forming, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It reports that green tea has been shown to have a positive, anticancer effects against bladder, breast, ovarian, colorectal, esophageal, lung, pancreatic, prostate and skin cancers. There is some indication that green tea is also effective against stomach cancer, but further studies on humans are needed to be conclusive.
Blood Sugar Benefits
The body produces insulin to help control blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance occurs when the body can't use that insulin properly, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. Green tea helps the body improve its sensitivity to insulin, which can lower blood sugar levels. A study conducted by INSERM, the National Institute of Health and Medical Research in France, found that when rats were fed a high-fat diet, supplemented with green tea, they experienced an improvement in insulin resistance, blood sugar reduction and a reduction in triglyceride levels. The study, published in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, concludes that green tea consumption would benefit those with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes.
Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits
High blood cholesterol can lead to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Researchers at the Federal University of Paraná, in Brazil, looked at the relationship between green tea and cholesterol levels. The results, published in the August 2009 issue of the journal of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, show that after eight weeks of green tea consumption, patients had a lower LDL (bad) and total cholesterol level. In this study, there was no effect of green tea on HDL (good) cholesterol levels or triglyceride levels.
References
- World's Healthiest Foods: Green Tea
- PubMed: Abstract--Current Medicinal Chemistry: Green tea catechins and cardiovascular health
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Insulin Resistance and Pre-diabetes
- PubMed: Abstract--Journal of the American College of Nutrition: Green tea extract decreases oxidative stress and improves insulin sensitivity
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