What makes green tea so special?

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, kill cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It was also effective in lowering LDL cholesterol, 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 strokes. The links are made between the effects of green tea and the "French paradox". For years, researchers have been intrigued by the fact that despite a diet high in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The response has been found in red wine which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and dietary fat. In a 1997 study, researchers at the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why rates of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, although about Sixty-five percent are smokers. Why do not other Chinese teas have equal health giving properties? Green, oolong and black tea all come from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis. What distinguishes green tea apart is the manner in which handled. green tea leaves steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from oxidized. In contrast, the leaves of black tea and oolong tea leaves from fermented which produces EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting against various diseases.


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