A cup of hot green tea may provide you with more than warmth on a chilly evening. The National Cancer Institute believes green tea's benefits outweigh those in black and oolong tea because green tea leaves are the least processed. This processing method helps green tea retain antioxidant properties that offer you many health benefits.
Lowers Cholesterol
Green tea may prevent absorption of cholesterol in the body and assist with its removal from the blood stream. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, "men who drink green tea are more likely to have lower total cholesterol than those who do not drink green tea."
Heart Health
The antioxidant properties in green tea may help to dilate the heart, improving blood flow and decreasing the risk of dangerous clogged arteries, according to the George Mateljan Foundation. Clogged arteries can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Weight Loss
Green tea may help you lose weight when combined with caffeine. According to research discussed by the University of Maryland, green tea contains properties that may increase metabolism and help the body burn fat.
Controlled Blood Sugar
The University of Maryland Medical Center believes the use of green tea may help diabetics maintain better control of their blood sugar levels and help their body utilize insulin. The George Mateljan Foundation also reports that Green tea may help to prevent the development of Type 2, often referred to as adult onset, diabetes.
Liver Protection
Alcoholics have an increased risk of developing liver damage caused by the toxic effects of alcohol on that organ. Green tea may help to protect the liver from this damage based on University of Maryland Medical Center reports. The risk of other disorders of the liver may be decreased by high levels of green tea consumption.
Breast Cancer
The American Cancer Society reports that research is mixed on green tea's benefits with regard to breast cancer. There is evidence, however, that women who frequently consume green tea may be at lower risk of developing breast cancer.
Relief from Cancer-Related Depression
Breast cancer patients who regularly exercise and consume green tea may experience improvements in mood or decreased risk of depression, according to the "Journal of Clinical Oncology." A positive outlook may help cope with cancer treatments.
Lung Cancer
The most reliable way of preventing lung cancer is to quit smoking. However, drinking green tea may prevent lung cancer in both smokers and nonsmokers. Drinking just one cup a day may provide the protective effects from this cancer, according to ABC News reports.
Skin Cancer
Drinking four to five cups of green tea each day may provide some protection against skin cancers. The National Cancer Institute is hoping clinical trials of topical green tea extract may even decrease the size of precancerous skin growths.
Reduced Risk of Death
A September 2006 article published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" stated that Japanese adults who drank five or more cups of green tea had a lower risk of death from all causes. The results were strongest in women but showed benefit for men as well.
Disclaimer
As with all supplements produced, manufacturers of green tea do not have to verify the safety of their products. The use of green tea may help with the above conditions but should not be used in place of conventional methods without the direct advice from a qualified physician. Always discuss the use of green tea and all supplements with your doctor prior to using them.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- American Cancer Society: Green Tea
- Reuters: Exercise, Green Tea May Lessen Breast Cancer Blues
- WHFoods.com: Green Tea
- "Carcinogenesis"; Green Tea, Black Tea and Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Studies; Sun CL, Yuan JM, Koh WP, Yu MC.; November 2005.
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