The Chinese already know that green tea can be used for at least 4,000 years as an effective drug. According to legend, tea was discovered by a Chinese emperor named Shennong. Some tea leaves accidentally fell into boiling water, tasted it and found it very energetic. Green tea is part of the Chinese diet, and many of its important health benefits are attributed to it. Recent medical research in Asia and the West provides a scientific basis for drinking green tea with very significant health benefits.

Green tea like black tea is made from the leaves of tea trees. The difference between the three main teas is the way they are produced. Green tea is unfermented tea, which means that the leaves used for green tea are steamed quickly after harvest to prevent oxidation of the leaves. In this way, the leaves remain green and the active material in the leaves retains its mass. On the other hand, black tea is made from fermented leaves and, therefore, has less nutrient and enzyme content than green tea. Therefore, green tea and black tea have different chemical properties.

Modern science has shown that green tea is good for human health, mainly because it contains high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols or flavonoids. In many studies, the antioxidant activity of tea has been compared with the antioxidant activity of fruits and vegetables. One study concluded that drinking three cups of tea a day produces a certain amount of antioxidants, similar to eating six apples. Antioxidants help your body fight free radicals, which can damage your body’s cells and tissues.

Although all teas are healthy to drink, they contain the highest levels of flavonoids. Recent medical research has shown that green tea is beneficial in many areas, including:

• Digestive and respiratory health.
• Lowers cholesterol level
• Boosts immune system
• Reduce high blood pressure
• Arthritis – Anti-inflammatory effect.
• Oral Hygiene – Due to antibacterial properties.
• Improves skin conditions
• Lowers blood sugar

Losing weight is another area that has caused great concern. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that green tea extract can promote fat oxidation. Ten healthy men were studied for over six weeks. It was found that men who received green tea extract consumed more calories per day than those who did not. More research is needed in this area, but these signs are certainly very encouraging.