An Ounce of Prevention

Tea is the most widely consumed beverage on earth and has an over 4000-year history as a health promoting drink. The tea plant (Camellia sinensis) produces green tea, black tea and oolong tea. The difference in these types of tea is a result of the different ways the tea leaves are processed after harvesting. Eighty percent of the tea currently available in Jamaica and around the world is black tea.
Although all these three varieties of tea have health benefits, green tea is far superior to the others in this regard. Medical research has confirmed what the Chinese have been saying for centuries: that green tea contains special health preserving and revitalizing power.
INGREDIENTS OF GREEN TEA
Antioxidants Green tea contains a group of compounds called polyphenols. They are powerful antioxidants that are responsible for many of the therapeutic properties of green tea. One major component, called EGCG for short, is 200 times more powerful as an antioxidant than vitamin E. Green tea contains much more antioxidants than black tea.
Caffeine Caffeine is a stimulant that is present in green tea in much smaller amounts than in black tea or coffee. In small amounts, it can be an excellent energy enhancer, but it is best to limit one's intake, as excess caffeine consumption may be unhealthy.
COMPARISON OF CAFFEINE CONTENT OF COMMON BEVERAGES
Beverage - 1 serving
Caffeine content - mg.
Coffee (brewed)
60 - 160
Coffee (instant)
30 - 120
Coffee (decaffeinated)
1 - 5
Soft drinks
40 - 70
Black tea
20 - 90
Green tea
6 - 30
OTHERS Green tea contains the amino acid l-theanine, hundreds of aromatic oils as well as small amounts of several vitamins and minerals.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA
HEART AND CIRCULATION Green tea lowers the "bad" LDL cholesterol while increasing the "good" HDL cholesterol. It reduces blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes and acts as a blood thinner.
CANCER In animal experiments, green tea extract prevented cancer of the breast, lung, liver, prostate, skin, oesophagus and colon. Human studies suggest that drinking two or more cups of green tea a day reduced the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent and the overall risk of all cancers by ten percent.
LONGEVITY & ANTI-AGING Studies conducted on Japanese women showed that greater than average green tea drinkers demonstrate a lower mortality rate than other women as well as a slowing of the aging process. Researchers believe this to be due to a stimulating effect of green tea on the immune system.
WEIGHT LOSS
Green tea extract increases metabolism, reduces cravings and aids in weight loss. Research shows that green tea may safely increase daytime metabolism as much as 30-40% and this increase cannot be attributed to the small caffeine content. In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy production, as well as a significant fat burning effect.
ANTI - STRESS L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea produces tranquilizing effects in the brain. This natural relaxant, works to diminish stress, worry, and anxiety, allowing the brain to focus and concentrate better. The calming, mood-enhancing effect comes with no strings attached — it won’t make you drowsy or groggy, it simply calms you by helping to increase alpha-brain waves, electrical brain activity commonly present when you are very relaxed, literally putting you in a better mood. For centuries, green tea has been used in the Orient for these anti-stress properties.
ORAL and INTESTINAL HEALTH Research shows that drinking green tea protects the teeth and gums from disease and kills oral bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath. Indeed, the Japanese drink green tea to suppress foul breath caused by certain foods. The polyphenols in green tea even promote the growth of friendly bifidobacteria in the intestine, improves digestion and prevents gastritis and stomach cancer.
BONE HEALTH
The regular consumption of green tea is associated with both a reduced risk of osteoporosis and with the reversal of pre-existent bone degeneration.
NOT ALL GREEN TEAS ARE EFFECTIVE
Research also shows that one needs to consume a certain amount of the active ingredients in green tea to get all the benefits listed above. Many of the cheaper ‘green tea’ preparations are not potent enough. Superior health benefits are obtained from products containing Green Tea Concentrate. I personally use and recommend a convenient instant green tea herbal concentrate from Herbalife, which can be used hot or cold. It contains additional health promoting, flavor enhancing herbs. So, consider making green tea your favorite drink. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
You may e mail Dr. Vendryes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , learn about his new book at www.anounceofprevention.org or listen to ‘An Ounce of Prevention’ on Power 106 FM on Fridays at 8.00pm.