Healthy with Green Tea

Green tea is made solely with the leaves of Camellia sinensis that has undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Tea plants grow only in warm climates but can flourish at altitudes ranging from sea level to 7,000 feet. Depending upon the altitude, a new tea plant may take from 2 ½ to 5 years to be ready for commercial picking. Green tea originates from China and has become associated with many cultures in Asia from Japan to the Middle East. The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). There are three main varieties of tea green, black, and oolong. Fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant are steamed to produce green tea.

The difference between the teas is in their processing. EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant. Green tea is the least processed and thus provides the most antioxidant polyphenols, notably a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is believed to be responsible for most of the health benefits linked to green tea. Adagio Teas continues to sell the finest loose green tea you'll find, and now offers many varieties in a convenient gourmet tea bag as well. However, herbs contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications.

Too much caffeine can cause nausea, insomnia, or frequent urination. Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. Green tea has been consumed throughout the ages in India, China, Japan, and Thailand. Green Tea plus Extract contains catechins, powerful polyphenol antioxidants that are 200 times stronger than vitamin E at neutralizing free radicals-molecules that attack lipids in the brain and other tissues.The healthful properties of green tea are largely attributed to polyphenols, chemicals with potent antioxidant properties. It is ranked as a leading health-giving substance in traditional Chinese medicine. Many people combine it with ingredients to make a potion that can be applied with a cotton ball directly onto clean skin.