Tea is often thought of as a warm drink to enjoy when you want to relax or when you aren't feeling well. However, green tea contains certain health benefits that aren't available in other forms of tea. This tea originated in Asia and has made its way across the globe to the Americas, where it is now found just about anywhere.
Available Forms
Green tea is readily available as a prepared cold drink, sold in most supermarkets and convenience stores. Green tea is also available in powder and tea-bag form, which can be prepared with warm water just as regular tea. In certain health-food stores and select grocery stores, you can purchase green tea in the form of a capsule, which is made from green-tea extract. If you do not want to drink green tea or take the capsules, you may also purchase it in the form of a liquid extract made from green tea leaves and tea buds.
Nutrients
Green tea contains a healthy mix of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The major component in green tea is polyphenols. Polyphenols are chemicals that contain a strong antioxidant; it also gives green tea its slightly bitter flavor. In addition to the antioxidants in green tea, it contains adrenaline-boosting caffeine. This caffeine is naturally occurring, but there are noncaffeinated forms of green tea, supplements and extracts.
Health Benefits
Green tea may be useful in lowering high cholesterol levels. Green tea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center may help lower low-density lipoprotein, or bad cholesterol, and increases high-density lipoprotein, or good cholesterol, in both animals and people. People who regularly drink green tea also show a decreased risk of developing certain cancers -- namely, bladder, breast and ovarian. In addition, green tea has also been shown to reduce inflammation that occurs with the digestive disease inflammatory bowel disease. Lastly, green tea has proven helpful in controlling blood sugar in the body, which helps prevent the development of diabetes.
Recommended Dosage
Because there are no reports on the benefits of green tea in children, there are no guidelines on dosing for children. However, in adults, the recommended consumption is two to three cups of green tea per day. If you are prone to the jitters because of caffeine, you can substitute a caffeinated brand with a decaf brand.
Complications/ Risks
Before using any herbal product to treat an ailment, consult with your physician first. Green tea is known to have several interactions with medications. People with heart issues, kidney, stomach or psychological disorders should avoid taking green tea. The University of Maryland Medical Center also warns pregnant and breast-feeding women to stay away from green-tea supplements.
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