Green tea has been used medicinally in many cultures for centuries. It has antioxidant properties that give benefit to many health conditions. While many people are aware of its uses as a weight loss aid, green tea is much more than your typical "fat burner." ECGC, also known as epigallocatechin galate, is a polyphenol found in green tea that helps to neutralize free radicals.
Cardiovascular Disease
Studies published in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in April 2008 revealed that the use of green tea can reduce the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, also known as LDL or bad cholesterol. This prevents these lipoproteins from becoming plaque in the arterial walls, which leads to atherosclerosis. The lowering of blood cholesterol takes place without side effects when using this herb, unlike many pharmaceuticals. The blood pressure is also lowered when taking green tea. The same mechanism is utilized with the herb as with drugs known as ACE, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Cancer
Green tea has been used for various forms of cancer including breast, colon, lung, pancreas, and stomach cancers. The herb contains various polyphenols that satisfy the estrogen receptor sites on the cells of the breast, ovaries and uterus. With estrogen related cancers that affect these parts of the body, the use of green tea may prevent the stimulating effect of the hormone on the growth of cancer cells. According to Phyllis A. Balch, author and certified nutritional consultant, green tea may also suppress the activation of carcinogens, and detoxify the body of cancer-causing agents. Studies also show that using green tea in conjunction with tamoxifen, a standard breast cancer therapy, increases the effectiveness of both agents. Lab studies have also shown that consuming green tea on a regular basis prevented the growth of colorectal tumors in animals.
Liver Health
Research conducted by the Digestive Department at Zhejian University in Zhejiang, China, shows that the consumption of large quantities of green tea leads to a reduction of specific liver enzymes in the blood. This could mean that using green tea helps to prevent liver damage. Liver cells are defended by the catechins in the herb from oxidative free radicals. The catechins may also be beneficial in the treatment of the herpes virus. Studies used high concentrations of the isolated catechins to achieve results, so it is still unknown if simply consuming green tea in normal amounts will provide the same outcome.
References
- PubMed: Green Tea reduces LDL oxidability and improves vascular function
- FoodConsumer: Green tea lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
- PubMed: The combination of green tea and tamoxifen is effective against breast cancer
- PubMed: Effects of tea on aberrant crypt foci and colorectal tumors in rats
- PubMed: Green Tea consumption and liver disease
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