Let’s have a ‘green’ tea party
Green tea is traditionally associated with good health and long life – benefits linked to chemicals known as catechins, which act as antioxidants. These polyphenolic flavonoid compounds disrupt the damaging chain reaction between free radicals and lipids.
The secret of green tea lies in the fact it 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 catechins help thin the blood and prevent the formation of blood clots by preventing the formation of pro-inflammatory compounds derived from omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in meats and polyunsaturated vegetable oils such as corn, safflower and soy oil. These pro-inflammatory compounds—specifically, arachidonic acid from which the inflammatory cytokines thromboxane A2 and prostaglandin D2 are derived—cause platelets to clump together. Green tea is supposed to be helpful in various health disorders also
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• High cholesterol levels
• Cardiovascular disease
• Infection
• Impaired immune function.
Some studies suggest that drinking green tea or taking green tea extract pills can increase metabolism and help burn fat, but results are mixed once again.
Along with those health conditions listed above, other studies have suggested that green tea is helpful for diabetes, stress, dental cavities, protection against UV radiation, and viral infection. The bottom line, however, is that scientists just don’t know enough to make any clear recommendations.
