Green Tea. Benefits Of Green Tea. Green Tea For Life!

OnTheAvenues SEO

2009-09-23T13:22:00.001-07:00

Great place for information related to SEO, search engine optimization as it relates to web sites, blogs, and using SEO techniques for social networking and more. Latest news, processes and answers to questions to help you perform better on the internet by knowing how to use the proper resources

in reference to: Facebook | OnTheAvenues (view on Google Sidewiki)

Best Forex Program Reviews. Top Forex Software Reviews.

2009-09-23T10:17:00.001-07:00

Unbiased Forex Software Reviews, Forex Program Reviews. Using the best Forex software will net you more in forex returns!

in reference to:

"Best Forex Program Reviews. Top Forex Software Reviews.Unbiased Forex Software Reviews, Forex Program Reviews. Using the best Forex software will net you more in forex returns!"
- Best Forex Program Reviews. Top Forex Software Reviews. (view on Google Sidewiki)

Trailer Life. RV Living

2009-09-23T10:15:00.003-07:00

For People On The Road! Resource Guide For Trailers, 5th Wheels, MotorCoach. Trailer Living honors those folks who enjoy the freedom of being able to pick up and go whenever they wish. From trailer humor, trailer park living tips to useful RV, 5th wheel, motorcoach info to trailer parks and National parks information, RV cooking and so much more. We make trailer living and RV-ing hip, cool and fun.

in reference to: Trailer Life. RV, 5th Wheel, Motorcoach Resources. (view on Google Sidewiki)

Trailer Life. RV Living

2009-09-23T10:15:00.001-07:00

in reference to: Trailer Life. RV, 5th Wheel, Motorcoach Resources. (view on Google Sidewiki)

Truth About Oolong Diet Tea

2009-08-12T20:12:00.004-07:00

Truth About Oolong Diet Tea
BBB Warning!! DON'T DO WU YI SOURCE FREE TRIALS

With so many sites selling wu yi tea also known as Wu Yi Oolong tea how is one to know which site is selling the Authentic Wu Yi Tea. Wu Yi Oolong tea must be produced in the Wu Yi Mountains which is a famous mountain range in the fujian provence in China. A variety of tea types are produced in an around Mount Wuyi Shan. The most famous of the teas produced in the Wu Yi Mountains is called Da Hong Pao or Big Red Robe.

Da Hong Pao is a very important Wu Yi Oolong tea which is also known as Wu Yi Rock Tea comes from the Wu Yi Shan, Wu Yi Mountain, in Fujian, China. Only tea from this region can be considered authentic Wu Yi Cha. It is incredibly flavorful tea from the stems of the tea plants among the rocks in the Wu Yi Mountains, so it is also called "Wu Yi Rock Tea". It is the best and rarest tea among all teas from the region. Its supply is extremely limited due to the limited growing area. Its enormous weight loss function has been recognized worldwide.

Make sure when you decide to buy Wu YI Oolong tea that you determine the grade of the tea and where it is produced. Many companies don't list the grade of the tea or tell you much about the tea. If a company does not tell you the grade of the tea, generally you are getting an inferior product. If you do any research on Oolong tea, you will find out there are dozens of grades of the tea.

White Tea, Green Tea, Oolong tea, Black tea all come from the same tea plant called the Camellia Sinesis. Oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea and tastes more like a green tea than a black tea. The most famous of these oolong teas are grown in the Wu Yi mountains of the fujian provence. Other varieties are also grown Tiawan, Thailand, Vietnam and Africa.

You may have read about the benefits of green tea and Wu Yi Oolong tea for weight loss. Recent articles and studies have shown that Oolong tea can assist in the burning of calories and can assist in increasing your metabolic rate. Why would Wu Yi Oolong Tea be better in buring fat than green tea? Since Wu Yi Oolong Tea is semi-oxidized, it retains many more of the antioxidants such as EGCG. Wu Yi Oolong tea also appears to have larger quantites of polyphenols which may attribute to the weight loss benefits of Wu Yi Oolong Tea.

Is Wu Yi oolong tea for weight loss supported by any scientific study? There are several recent studies which have suggested that Wu Yi oolong tea may increase the metabolic rate by as much as 20-25% when used on a regular basis. It appears to do this by increasing the energy expenditure, promoting the oxidation of body fat stores and inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates and fat. Wu Yi Oolong tea has been shown to be more effective than green tea in promoting weight loss in the studies that have been performed.

The taste of Wu Yi Oolong tea is different from green tea, black tea and other Oolong teas. It is very robust in flavor and may take some getting used to. It is closer in taste to black tea than green tea. Other oolong teas such as Tie Kuan Yin are also very good but smoother in flavor.

Be wary of any company that has a " SO CALLED FREE TRIAL". Free trials are NEVER FREE and you have to read the fine print at the bottom of the page called terms and conditions to really see what you are getting into. The companies offering FREE 14 day trials are only trying to get your CC info so they can bill you over and over again. Many have associate companies that bill you monthy for Web access fees, e-books, Insider Secrets, Well Watchers MD, Living Lean, Fit Factory if you don't read the fine print.

One of these Scam companies is called Wu-YiSource and you will find 100's of complaints about this company on sites from the BBB, ripoffreport.com , complaintsboard.com , complaints.com , my3cents.com and a variety of sites.

If you have been taken by one of these companies, you can go to your local Attorney General in your state as well. These companies prey on innocent victims who may not always read the fine print.

There are a variety of other sites that sell Wu Yi tea that seem to be legitimate business's. Looks for a phone number that is readily available and in a prominent position on the website. If you call the number and cannot talk to a live person but get an answering machine, be wary. If the site has many testimonial with before and after pictures, most of these people are either paid models or the company has found the pictures on the web and or bought stock photos. If a site doesn't display pricing upfront, be wary. Many sites just want your information before you see pricing so they can harass you with multiple phone calls, emails etc. Click here to see if you " QUALIFY for a FREE TRIAL" is a scam and only intended to get your information so they can try to get your Credit Card info.

Green Tea Diet Pill Scam

2009-08-12T20:05:00.002-07:00

The Green Tea Diet Pill Scam
Time to expose the Green Tea Diet Pill scam.

Green Tea is a very healthy drink, but it does NOT cause weight loss. So all those ads you see in on the Internet are a scam. It's not the magic pill it is claimed to be. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Researchers from Taiwan randomized 78 overweight women into 2 groups for the 12 week study. One was a control group, while the other group received Green Tea extract (491 mg catechins containing 302 mg EGCG - epigallocatechingallate).

Reference
Hsua, C-H., et al., Effect of green tea extract on obese women: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition, 27(3), 2008.

This level of EGCG exceeded the amount given to subjects in a past Green Tea extract study that showed an increase in metabolism. So if Green Tea was to work for weight loss, than this study would prove it.

However, for folks who are praying that Green Tea is a miracle weight loss solution, the results were disappointing. There was only a 0.3% reduction in BW (0.15 kg) after 12 weeks of treatment with GTE, and that was not a significant improvement over time or better than the placebo group.

Fortunately, the Green Tea extract did improve health by reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while increasing HDL ("good cholesterol"). The placebo group only had a significant reduction in triglycerides.

So the bottom line is this. Green Tea is healthy, but doesn't cause fat loss, which is something that I've said ever since I read the original "metabolism boosting" research study.

There's no such thing as a magic pill for weight loss. So forget about the easy way out.

Once you accept that burning fat is a difficult task, and that it requires planning and following a proven, structured workout program, only then will you get results.

Green Tea for health, not weight loss scammery,

By: Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
www.TurbulenceTraining.com
About the Author

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men's Health, Men's Fitness, Maximum Fitness, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Oxygen magazines. His trademarked Turbulence Training fat loss workouts have been featured multiple times in Men’s Fitness and Maximum Fitness magazines, and have helped thousands of men and women around the world lose fat, gain muscle, and get lean in less than 45 minutes three times per week. For more information on the Turbulence Training workouts that will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment, visit www.TurbulenceTraining.com

Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum Scam Review

2009-08-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum
Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum Review

One of the biggest products to hit the market purely on the basis of the recently sensationalized green tea, Mega T Green Tea has now produced a chewing gum. As if their other claims and other formula weren't enough, they now claim that you can "lose up to 20 lbs" with the Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum.

Price: $35.88
Ingredients and Mechanism of Action

Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum ingredients include green tea, chromium, garcinia cambogia, guarana, eleuthero, fo-ti, bladderwrack, and gotu kola.

So with up to 20 pounds of supposed weight loss, how long is that supposed to take? A year, 2 years, give us specifics here. Most of these ingredients are nothing more than eye candy, or they require other combination's to produce any results at all. with only 90mg green tea or so they name, when green tea requires a minimum 400mg, that is not a good sign to say the least. The only reason you might benefit from this is due to the somewhat appetite suppressing properties of the chewing action involved with gum, and that is really not significant.

Safety
Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum is not safe to take if:

* You have a pre-existing medical condition such as heart disease
* You have a family history of medical conditions such as heart disease
* You have caffeine sensitivities
* You have high blood pressure

Possible Side Effects
* Insomnia
* Diarrhea
* Irregular heart beat
* Dizziness
* Vomiting
* Headache
* Loss of appetite
* Raised blood pressure
* Increased heart rate

Overall Impression of Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum:

Let's cut right to the chase. You won't lose weight with Mega T Green Tea Chewing Gum. It's a simple fact really. They have one ingredient that they claim to be their main ingredient, which might promote some weight loss. But realistically, it won't happen.

How To Prepare Maccha Green Tea Powder Video

2008-11-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

How To Prepare Maccha Green Tea Powder Video

How Gyokuro and Matcha Japanese Green Tea Is Grown

2008-11-19T14:06:00.001-07:00

This video shows how gyokuro and matcha Japanese green tea is made in Uji Japan.

Japanese Green Tea. Different Green Tea Review Video

2008-11-19T14:02:00.001-07:00

Japanese Green Tea. Different Green Tea Review Video

Japanese green tea offers a huge spectrum of diverse brews, ranging from very light and grassy to deep and roasted. Join Christine Savage as she delves into the subtle and not so subtle differences of Japanese Green Tea.

Green Tea. What Is Green Tea Video

2008-11-19T13:52:00.003-07:00

Green Tea Video

Green Tea is not fermented or oxidized. Learn more about green tea with tips from a tea lounge owner in this free tea brewing video.

Types Of Green Tea. Green Tea Benefits

2008-11-19T13:43:00.002-07:00

Types Of Green Tea. Green Tea Benefits

1) Gunpowder green tea

Gunpowder tea comes from China and comes in the form of small pellets that open up when placed in hot water. It has a slightly smoky flavor which many people enjoy. This tea is also high in fluoride which may help to reduce dental caries.

2) Bancha green tea

Bancha tea has a slightly stronger, more astringent taste than most higher-end green teas. It’s one of the least expensive green teas and is the most common green tea consumed in Japan. It also has the distinction of having one of the lowest caffeine contents of the green teas, which makes it suitable for those who are sensitive to caffeine. Despite being low in caffeine, it retains the polyphenols and other components that are associated with the health benefits of green tea.

You can also get a subtype of bancha green tea known as genmaicha which is a blend of bancha tea and toasted rice. This type of tea has a somewhat nutty flavor due to the toasted rice. Another type of bancha green tea is hojicha made of roasted green tea leaves. It also has a distinctively nutty flavor.

3) China green tea

China green has a more subtle flavor than gunpowder or bancha and is a good standard, everyday tea.

4) Sencha green tea

Sencha tea is made from smaller, more delicate leaves than those used for the lower priced bancha which gives it a more refined flavor. This tea has a natural sweetness which is brought out by steeping it at a slightly lower temperature of around 160 degrees Farenheit. It’s a green tea that the Japanese are most likely to serve their guests. Sencha also may have the most health benefits since it has the highest concentration of polyphenols.

5) Matcha green tea

This is the type of green tea used in the traditional Japanese green tea ceremonies. Matcha tea comes in the form of a fine green powder which is added to hot water and stirred with a bamboo whisk to dissolve the powder before drinking. It can also be incorporated into a variety of recipes including lattes, cookies, and ice cream.

6) Gyokuro green tea

Gyokuro tea is considered to be one of the highest grades of tea available and may not be offered at your local tea store, although it can be purchased online. It’s made from the first flush leaves and tends to have a greener color than most other forms of green tea with a sweet, slightly vegetative flavor. It’s considered to be Japan’s best green tea, and some types of gyokura may sell for as much as a thousand dollars a pound, although it can be found at more reasonable prices.

The next time you visit your local tea store, you won’t be so confused by the different types of green tea available to you. Try a variety and you’ll get the wonderful health benefits of green tea without ever getting bored!

Bancha Tea. Benefits of Ban Cha Tea

2008-11-19T13:36:00.004-07:00

Bancha Tea. Benefits of Ban Cha Tea

Bancha tea is a japanese green tea that is highly suitable for children. This is inexpensive and low in caffeine.

This japanese green tea has a slightly toasty and woodsy taste, containing only a trace amount of caffeine.

Interestingly, this tea has a mellow flavor and a yellowish brown liquor. Indeed, it is considered an everyday drink.

The flavor can be intensified with longer brewing depending on your taste and preference.

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of bancha because it contains a hefty amount of calcium, vitamin A, niacin, and iron.

Bancha is a pungent tea made from the large coarse, older leaves that are pruned from the tea plant at the end of the season.

Bancha has two subcategories:

1) Hojicha - this is made from roasted bancha leaves. The result is a toasted, earthy aroma, and a light-golden colored brew.

2) Genmaicha - this is a mixture of bancha leaves and fire-toasted rice. This light brown brew has a savory, grainy, slightly salty taste.

Bancha tea is frequently described as "three-year tea" because the leaves up to three years old are harvested.

This tea is particularly recommended in a microbiotic diet.

How Natural Is Green Tea?

2008-08-22T15:32:00.001-07:00

How Natural Is Green Tea?

Green tea leaves have for many years been used throughout Asia continent as a natural medicine for poor digestion, body aches and pains, headaches and general improved wellness.

Very little processing is required to produce green tea. In most cases the leaves are dried immediately after harvesting or briefly treated with steam prior to drying. There are a few types of tea that are also lightly roasted. Because of this minimal processing, the leaves keep their green color and more importantly they keep the very valuable ingredients that contribute to their healing properties. Green tea leaves contain caffeine, tannins, essential oils, proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements such as fluoride, zinc and potassium.

Green tea is naturally found to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are used by the body to protect cells from free radicals (unstable molecules found in our cells) damage. Too much damage, over time, could lead to diseases which includes cancer. As part of our body cell renewal, antioxidants attach themselves to free radicals and this results in the neutralization these molecules. Drinking green tea frequently has been linked (confirmed by research) with the prevention of cancer; it lowers high blood cholesterol, prevents harmful blood clotting and acts to minimize the risk of strokes.

Green tea is very good for arthritis sufferers because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

As reported earlier, Green Tea has some caffeine which helps invigorate and improve concentration.

Green tea is also antibacterial. The tea contains the trace element fluorine whichs helps to fight tooth decay. It is suggested that just one cup of tea a day will be beneficial in the prevention of decay. Green tea is also ideal after dinner as a palette cleanser.

Many Naturopaths recommend green tea to cleanse the body. It is a useful addition to all types of detoxification diets. It contains no calories, no carbs and is referred to as the 'fat eater' in China due to its cholesterol-lowering properties.

Green Tea is fantatic for quenching your thirst, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day - either hot or cold. Sometimes lemon juice is added, or the tea is poured over ice to produce a really refreshing drink.

How to prepare Green Tea:

Put one level teaspoon of tea leaves per cup; then Boil your water and then let the water stand for a couple of minutes - allowing it to cool slightly. Pour the water over the green tea and leave the tea to brew.

Brewing the tea for 2-3 minutes will give you a mild tasting but highly stimulating tea.

Brewing the tea for 4-6 minutes yields a less stimulating and stronger tasting tea.

Important: The caffeine in green tea may cause heart palpitations in some sensitive people. To reduce the amount of caffeine in your tea, put one teaspoon of leaves in your cup, pour a little bit of hot water over it and allow it to stand for 30 seconds then strain. Now use the leaves to prepare your tea as usual - or of-course buy non-caffeine Green Tea, which is available in many health food stores.

By: Keith Woolley.

Herbal Tea Remedies

2008-08-22T15:16:00.004-07:00

Herbal Tea Remedies - Everything You Need To Know!

Herbal teas have been around almost as long as humans have had access to hot water and herbs, which has been a rather long time. Tea has been known in places like China for centuries, and archaeologists believe that even prehistoric man made teas for drinking and soothing ailments.

It is also clear that the uses of water infused with herbs have long been known in tribal cultures around the world, and have been handed down throughout the generations in almost every society. Herbal teas have traditionally held a very important place in natural medicine, before science was able to diagnose and treat with antibiotics and other modern methods. Those who had the knowledge of herbs and how to make herbal teas were highly respected, as their teas had the ability to greatly aid those who suffered from various ailments.

Herbal teas are still very useful today, especially for people who want to limit their chemical intake, and enjoy nature's methods of healing.

From sleeplessness, to period pain, to detoxify the body and help clear the mind, herbal teas have multiple uses. You'd be surprised what effects even common herbs can have on your body. For example, the nettle plant is known to have a positive effect on the bones, skin, nails, and hair. Parsley can help if you're bloating or retaining water, and peppermint is an excellent aid to the digestion.

It is not just ailments of the body that herbal teas can help with, but some are also excellent for the mind. If you are feeling stressed, a tea made from chamomile and rosehips can help you to feel more relaxed. There are also teas containing the herb valerian, which can help you to sleep. Herbal teas can even aid with weight loss. An infusion of blackberry leaves, myrtle leaves, sage, juniper berry and nettle leaves can help you flush your system and control the urges to snack and eat all the time.

Of course, herbal teas are no substitute for medical attention. You should never try and use an herbal remedy when you are seriously sick. Most practitioners agree that herbal teas are an excellent supplement to treatment, and a great preventative, but they will not cure your ills alone. You should also exercise caution when trying new herbal teas, as some people are allergic to certain herbs, and you may have a nasty reaction.

Apart from these common sense measures, you should feel free to enjoy the great tastes and positive effects that herbal teas have. Try blending your own if you're feeling adventurous, or purchase some from the health store. Many experts believe that herbal teas are best made from loose tea leaves, but there is certainly nothing wrong with using herbal tea bags if the convenience suits you better.

Drinking herbal tea is an excellent way to maintain your health, experience new tastes, and be part of a legacy that has stretched throughout human history.

By: Munya Chinongoza

Green Tea Differs From Black Tea

2008-08-22T15:11:00.003-07:00

Green Tea Has More Antioxidants Than Black Tea

Processing green tea differs from the way black tea is processed. Antioxidants in the tea leaves are nearly exhausted after black tea is processed whereas in green tea, almost all of its antioxidants are left in the leaves after processing.

Antioxidants in an apple

Antioxidants are active when an apple is sliced. You must have noticed that after slicing an apple, its flesh slowly turns into brown. That is because the apple's flesh is reacting to oxygen when it is exposed to air. This reaction produces free radicals and could create a chain reaction.

All fruits have antioxidants. Different types of fruits have different types of antioxidants. This is nature's defense for the fruit from oxidizing.

Let's get back to the apple. When free radicals are formed in the exposed flesh, the antioxidants in the apple quenches these free radicals to prevent a chain reaction. All of the exposed area of the flesh reacts to oxygen and therefore all these areas forms free radicals which are then quenched by the apple's antioxidants. Chain reaction cannot continue to the inside flesh as antioxidants quench these free radicals.

The discoloration you see in the exposed flesh are the result of molecules which reacted to oxygen. Scrape off that layer and you will see what the antioxidants in the apple has accomplished. It stopped the oxidation from going further inside the flesh.

Black Tea Processing

The following are the basic processing of black tea.

1. Harvesting
2. Withering - the leaves are spread and left to dry.
3. Rolling - the leaves are twisted and rolled either by hand or machinery. This process breaks or cracks the surface of the leaves exposing it to oxygen.
4. Oxidation or fermentation - the leaves are left to dry for several hours until it is about 80% dry.
5. Drying - the leaves further dried by applying heat without burning the leaves. This stops the oxidation process.

Just like the apple when the membranes of the leaves cracked in the rolling process, it exposed the insides of the leaves to oxygen. The free radicals produced are quenched by the antioxidants inside the tea leaves. Therefore those antioxidants that quenched the free radicals are already spent and will not be available in the finished product.

Green Tea Processing

This process differs a little bit from the way black tea is processed.

1. Harvesting
2. Withering
3. Drying

As you can see, the steps that can oxidize the leaves, rolling and oxidation, are omitted leaving the antioxidant content of the leaves almost intact.

Which do you prefer?

Now that you have seen the difference in processing and the final outcome of antioxidant content, what do you prefer? Tea with more antioxidant content? Others prefer the stronger taste of black tea against the milder taste of green tea. Others prefer green tea because of its healthful benefits.

How to get more antioxidants from tea

Our body can absorb only a small percentage of the antioxidants in tea. By combining it with citrus juices or vitamin c, our body's absorption of the antioxidants in tea can multiply more than 5 times.

By: Feel Good Article Source: www.articlesnatch.com

Green, Black, Oolong Tea Differences

2008-07-29T12:34:00.001-07:00

Green, Black or Oolong Tea

All “true” tea comes from the Camellia sinensis bush, but the way it’s processed determines whether the end product will be green, black or oolong tea.

Black Tea
To make black tea, the freshly picked tea leaf is deliberately exposed to the air, left on trays in the sun to wither and dry for 18-24 hours. Then the leaves are broken and allowed to ferment for a time, before being fired.

Oolong Tea
Making oolong tea is similar, although the withering and fermenting processes are shorter, resulting in a partially-fermented leaf.

Green Tea
But green tea leaf isn’t fermented at all – in fact, just the opposite! The tea leaves are steamed almost immediately after picking in order to stop the fermentation process, after which they are rolled and dried. So black tea is fermented, green tea is unfermented and oolong is somewhere in between.

To Ferment or Not to Ferment?
Whether or not the tea leaf is fermented has a great effect on the catechin content of the resulting tea. In green tea, the catechins make up about 15-30% of the dry weight of the leaves, compared to just 8-20% of oolong and a miserly 3-10% of black tea.

Why is the catechin content so much lower in black tea? The minute a tea leaf is plucked, an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase combines with oxygen and begins to change the catechins into compounds called theaflavins and thearubigens. This process is encouraged in the manufacture of black tea. Not only are the tea leaves left to wither in the sun for 18-24 hours, they are also twisted and broken to accelerate the process of converting catechins into theaflavins and thearubigens. These compounds are responsible for the distinctive taste, aroma and dark color of black tea. And while they do have some health benefits, they don’t have the same wide-ranging antioxidant and disease-fighting prowess as the catechins.

The Number One Rule in Green Tea Processing
Every green tea processor knows that, above all, they must protect the catechins from the effects of polyphenol oxidase -- to preserve the look, taste and health benefits of this amazing beverage. They do this by steaming or pan-firing the tea leaves just as soon as they are plucked, to inactivate the enzyme. This means the tea leaves must be rushed to the manufacturing plant as soon as they are picked, and care must be taken not to break or bruise the leaves in the process.

Then, once the leaves have been steamed, they can safely be rolled, twisted, dried and packaged without obliterating the catechins. Still, even after the leaves have been processed and packaged, the catechins in green tea can be destroyed if exposed to oxygen for too long. That’s why you should always keep your green tea in an airtight container, even if it comes in tea bag form. Remember: Oxygen is the catechins’ worst enemy.

Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D. presents GreenTeaLibrary.com, the most comprehensive collection of scientific information describing the many health benefits and properties of green tea.

Does Bottled Green Tea Have Health Benefits

2008-07-29T12:30:00.002-07:00

Does Bottled Green Tea Have Health Benefits

Have you ever wondered if bottled green tea has the same health benefits as freshly brewed green tea? Well, sorry to break the news to all of you bottled tea drinkers but in most cases, the answer appears to be no.

In December 2006, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made public its database on the flavonoid content of foods.1 (Flavonoids, a type of polyphenol, are a group of compounds found primarily in fruits and vegetables that act as powerful antioxidants. Green tea’s catechins are a sub-group of the flavonoids.) The USDA list, which includes the levels of catechins found in green tea that was prepared in different ways, is a real eye-opener for those who drink bottled tea for health reasons!

For example, the level of EGCg (green tea’s most potent catechin) in brewed loose-leaf tea was 77.81 mg per 100 grams of infusion. Decaffeinated green tea, however, had just one-third that amount, weighing in at 26.05 mg. But ready-to-drink green tea (the kind that comes in a can or a bottle) contained a minuscule 3.96 mg of EGCg, just 5 percent the amount found in freshly brewed green tea. And instant green tea was even worse, with a practically nonexistent .5mg EGCg!

Similar studies measuring the health-promoting compounds in green tea were done in 2005 by researchers at Oregon State University.2 They found that the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity in some bottled tea products were 10 to 100 times lower than those found in brewed tea!

Why does bottled (or canned) green tea have such low levels of catechins? A major reason is that the catechins are sensitive to heat and oxygen, making them easy to destroy during the processing, transporting and storing of bottled tea. Also, many bottled tea products are made from tea extracts, which have far fewer antioxidants to begin with than brewed tea. Then, to make matters worse, bottled tea products are often loaded with sugar or high fructose corn syrup which, besides being unhealthy and unnecessary, can contribute to catechin breakdown.

If you still want to drink bottled green tea, be sure to look for a high quality product made from brewed tea that contains no added sweeteners and has the polyphenol or catechin content listed on the label. Your best bet is a product that contains at least 75 mg polyphenols or 50 mg EGCg per cup. If you can’t find one, how about just settling for a nice bottle of water?

1http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Flav/Flav02-1.pdf (Scroll to database pages 87-88)2
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2005/Oct05/teaprotection.htm

What Is Green Tea. Why Drink Green Tea

2008-07-29T12:25:00.001-07:00

What Is Green Tea, Anyway?

First things first: The word “tea” is only used correctly when it refers to leaves taken from the Camellia sinensis bush. And that means that herbal teas really aren’t tea – only green, black and oolong tea are the “real thing.” That said, the way the Camellia sinensis leaves are processed will determine which of these three choices the end product becomes.

To make black tea, the freshly picked tea leaves must undergo a process called oxidation. Oxidation occurs when an enzyme in the tea leaf called polyphenol oxidase is brought into contact with the air. To do this, the leaves are left in the sun for 18-24 hours to wither and dry; then they’re broken up to encourage further oxidation. Steaming, pan-firing or roasting the leaves stops the oxidation process, after which they are rolled, twisted and dried. Making oolong tea involves a similar process, although the leaves are withered for a shorter period, which produces a partially-oxidized leaf. But for green tea, the leaf isn’t withered or broken at all – in fact, just the opposite! The tea leaves are steamed almost immediately after picking in order to stop the oxidation process, after which they are rolled and dried.

The health benefits of the resulting tea will largely be determined by whether or not the tea leaf has been oxidized. That’s because the fresh tea leaf contains large amounts of catechins (pronounced “CAT-i-kins”), which are the powerful disease fighters and potent antioxidants that give green tea its health-enhancing abilities. But when exposed to air and polyphenol oxidase, the catechins change into completely different compounds called theaflavins and thearubigens. The theaflavins and thearubigens, which give black tea its distinctive taste, aroma and dark color, do have some health benefits, but not the same wide-ranging antioxidant and disease-fighting prowess seen in the catechins.

So in green tea manufacturing, it’s extremely important to rush the freshly picked leaves from the field to the manufacturing plant, being careful not to break or bruise them. There, the leaves are steamed or pan-fired immediately to inactivate the polyphenol oxidase. Afterwards, it’s safe to roll, twist, dry and package the leaves without worrying about obliterating the catechins. Yet even after the manufacturing process has been completed, green tea catechins can be destroyed if exposed to oxygen for too long. That’s why you should always keep your green tea in an air-tight container, even if it’s already in tea bag form. Remember: oxygen is the catechins’ worst enemy!

Green Tea Help Bladder Inflammation

2008-07-29T12:19:00.002-07:00

Green tea prevents bladder inflammation

Green tea might be useful as an herbal remedy to treat or prevent inflammatory bladder disease, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) in Anaheim, California, two of the chemicals that naturally occur in green tea protected cultures of bladder cells from oxidative damage.

Researchers exposed cultures of both normal and cancerous bladder cells to epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechin gallate (ECG), two varieties of a flavonoid group called catechins, for 23 hours. They then exposed the cell cultures to hydrogen peroxide, which is highly damaging to cells and may even kill them.

"We discovered that catechins found in green tea protected both normal and cancerous bladder cells from inflammation when we exposed the cells to hydrogen peroxide," said researcher Michael B. Chancellor, a professor of urology and gynecology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

"Although further studies are needed, these results indicate [that] herbal supplements from green tea could be a treatment option for various bladder conditions that are caused by injury or inflammation."

Catechins occur naturally in the leaves of the tea plant, and thus are present in green, black, white and Oolong tea. These chemicals compose, on average, approximately one-quarter of the dry weight of a fresh tea leaf -- although the exact content varies by individual plant, growing season and location.

Catechins are also found in chocolate, wine and certain fruits and vegetables. Previous studies have linked consumption of these chemicals to reductions in the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

According to the researchers, the doses of EGCG and ECG used in the Pittsburgh study are low enough to be achieved through dietary intake.

Approximately ten million people in the United States suffer from some form of bladder disease.

Green Tea May Help Keep Skin Cancer Away

2008-07-29T12:16:00.002-07:00

A Cup of Green Tea Per Day May Help Keep Skin Cancer Away

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and it is estimated that more than 1 million cases of basal and squamous cell cancer will be diagnosed this year according to the Centers for Disease Control.

While avoiding prolonged sun exposure, the regular and proper use of sunscreen, and regular examinations by a board-certified dermatologist are the main actions for preventing skin cancer, green tea may help as well.

“Green tea is reported to have antibacterial, antioxidant, and antitumor properties,” says Lawrence Osman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Los Angeles. Polyphenolic antioxidants are derived from the extracts of green tea. Also, the most widely studied component of green tea, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, may work by inhibiting ultraviolet induced DNA damage. Inhibiting ultraviolet induced DNA damage may be important because many cases of skin cancer are directly related to ultraviolet exposure from the sun or tanning beds.

The constituents of green tea have already proven effective in helping to prevent skin cancer in the lab. Accordingly, drinking green tea, in addition to avoiding prolonged sun exposure, the regular and proper use of sunscreen, and regular examinations by a board-certified dermatologist, may help prevent skin cancer in life.

About Lawrence Osman, M.D., F.A.A.D. Dr. Lawrence Osman is a board-certified dermatologist practicing comprehensive medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology. He attended the Keck/USC School of Medicine and completed his dermatology training at the prestigious Roswell Park Cancer Institute. He has particular expertise in skin cancer surgery, laser surgery, and tumescent liposuction. He was voted as one of the best dermatologists by the readers of the Los Angeles Daily News. Dr. Osman may be contacted by calling (818) 885-0455 or visiting www.drosman.com.

Green Tea Can Ease Inflammation, Arthritis Pain

2008-07-29T12:12:00.002-07:00

Green tea found to ease inflammation, arthritis pain

A new study has found that a compound in green tea may help people with rheumatoid arthritis avoid inflammation and joint damage. The study, conducted by University of Michigan researchers, was presented April 29 at the Experimental Biology 2007 conference in Washington, D.C.

"Our research is a very promising step in the search for therapies for the joint destruction experienced by people who have rheumatoid arthritis," said Salah-uddin Ahmed, Ph.D., the study's lead researcher. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than two million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis.

Ahmed and his co-workers isolated cells called synovial fibroblasts, which form a lining of tissue that surrounds the joints. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, this lining becomes inflamed, resulting in chronic pain and long-term joint damage.

The researchers cultured synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis patients and then exposed the cells to epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a naturally occurring compound in green tea. They found that EGCG blocked two potent molecules that cause the bone breakdown in rheumatoid arthritis-affected joints. Ahmed stated that the EGCG "significantly" blocked the harmful molecules. He and his co-workers observed that EGCG also blocked production prostaglandin E2, which causes joint inflammation.

Ahmed said that people might want to try drinking three or four 8-ounce cups of green tea per day. "Drink it continuously throughout the day," he said, to keep blood levels constant.

While this is the first study measuring the effects of EGCG on synovia fibroblasts, an earlier study demonstrated that polyphenols in green tea could prevent the onset of arthritis. In 1999, researchers at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine studied the effects of green tea on mice; the researchers found that mice given green tea were significantly less likely to develop arthritis than mice in a control group. The extract given to the mice was the equivalent of a human intake of four cups of green tea per day.

When sourcing green tea products, make a special effort to find organic green tea products. Many cheaper, imported green teas are contaminated with harmful fluoride.

Green Tea Can Reduce Ovarian and Colorectal Cancers

2008-07-29T12:08:00.002-07:00

Green Tea Shown to Reduce Risk of Ovarian and Colorectal Cancers

Green tea has rapidly entered the American market as a claimed cure and preventative for almost everything that ails mankind. It seems too good to be true, but now we are finding out that it is true. Recent studies reveal green tea's benefits as an antioxidant, promoter of glucose tolerance, protector of the liver and detoxification system, and benefactor of the cardiovascular system. Two recent studies show that green tea is also a powerful agent in the prevention and cure of cancers.

Studies and Results

The March, 2008 issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, contains a study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. In a population based study in Washington state, 781 women with epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed between 2002 and 2005, and 1,263 controls completed self-administered questionnaires detailing consumption of caffeinated and non-caffeinated coffee, teas, and colas. They also completed in-person interviews regarding reproductive and hormonal exposures.

Researchers assessed risk associated with coffee, tea, and cola drinking and with total caffeine consumption using logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals. Results indicate that neither caffeinated nor decaffeinated coffees were associated with ovarian cancer risk. They also observed no association of total caffeine with risk using a combined index that summed intake from coffee, tea and carbonated soft drinks.

Among teas, neither herbal/decaffeinated nor black teas were associated with risk. However, women who reported drinking green teas had a 54% reduction in risk of ovarian cancer. Associations of green tea with risk were similar when invasive and borderline cases were considered separately and when Asian women were excluded from analysis.

In the second study from Cancer Biology and Therapy, researchers from the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an China, reported progress in identifying the underlying mechanism by which green tea possesses therapeutic cancer effects through induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death) in colorectal cancer. Two different lines of colorectal cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of green tea, which led to repression of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in both cell lines.

The researchers concluded that the p-53 up-regulated modulator gene plays a critical role in green tea induced apoptosis pathways in colorectal cancer cells. Their demonstration of this effect may be useful in the therapeutic target selection for p53 deficient colorectal cancer.

Additional Implications

The results of these studies suggest that green tea may also be a factor for inducing apoptosis in breast cells and endometrial cells, thereby acting as both a preventative and a factor in the cure for these cancers.

A further implication for the first study may be drawn from its conclusion that the administration of caffeine containing coffee, tea, and colas yielded no association with risk for ovarian cancers.

About Green Tea

According to Phyllis and James Balch in their book Prescription for Nutritional Healing, green tea contains polyphenols, including phytochemicals with antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and other health enhancing properties. Epigalloacatechin gallate (EGCG) is a particular type of polyphenol in green tea that has shown in tests to be able to penetrate the body’s cells and shield DNA from the potent free radical, hydrogen peroxide.

In addition to protecting against cancers, green tea lowers cholesterol levels, and reduces the clotting tendency of blood. It shows promise as a weight-loss aid that can promote the burning of fat and the regulation of insulin levels and blood sugar.

Green tea is simply the unprocessed leaves of the tea plant, unlike black tea which is fermented. During processing, much of the polyphenols of black tea are lost.

In addition to brewing and drinking green tea, there are green tea supplements available. Some of these contain the whole plant, while others contain extracts. Whole plant supplements are usually preferable because they are backed by the integrity of the whole plant. Many green tea supplements are standardized to provide a quantifiable amount of EGCG, viewed as its most beneficial component.

About the author
Barbara is a school psychologist, a published author in the area of personal finance, a breast cancer survivor using "alternative" treatments, a born existentialist, and a student of nature and all things natural

Green Tea Compounds Prevent Memory Loss From Lack of Oxygen

2008-07-29T11:38:00.002-07:00

Green Tea Compounds Prevent Memory Loss From Lack of Oxygen

People with sleep apnea, a disorder that affects more than 12 million people in the United States, literally stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes for a minute or longer. With the most serious form, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this can happen hundreds of times during a single night and deprive the brain of oxygen.

The result? Possible brain damage causing memory problems. In fact, people with OSA are known to have increased markers of oxidative stress and exhibit changes in their brain tissue in areas involved in learning and memory.

But natural substances in green tea appear to stave off these OSA-caused cognitive deficits according to new research published in the second issue for May of the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Scientists studied the effects of green tea polyphenols (GTP, for short) on rats who were intermittently deprived of oxygen in order to simulate the lack of oxygen, known as hypoxia, that humans with OSA experience. Chronic hypoxia in rats is known to produce similar neurological deficit patterns seen in humans with sleep apnea.

Previous research has shown that GTPs may reduce the risk of a variety of different diseases, most likely because they possess anti-oxidant properties and act as free radical scavengers. “OSA has been increasingly recognized as a serious and frequent health condition with potential long-term morbidities that include learning and psychological disabilities,” David Gozal, M.D., professor and director of Kosair Children’s Hospital Research Institute at the University of Louisville, said in a prepared release for the press. “A growing body of evidence suggests that the adverse neurobehavioral consequences imposed by hypoxia stem, at least in part, from oxidative stress and inflammatory signaling cascades.”

Dr. Gozal and his colleagues divided 106 male rats into two groups that underwent intermittent oxygen deprivation during the 12-hour “night” cycle for 2 weeks. One group received drinking water containing GTPs while the other group received plain drinking water.

Then the animals were tested for markers of inflammation and oxidative stress and their spatial learning and memory was measured by putting them through in a water “maze”. To get out of the water, the rats had to memorize the location of a hidden platform.

The rats who received the green tea-treated water clearly had the better memories and performed significantly better in the water maze than the rats that drank plain water. So the researchers concluded GTPs “may represent a potential interventional strategy for patients” with sleep-disordered breathing, according to Dr. Gozal, who headed the research team.

Using green tea instead of drugs prevents brain deficits due to hypoxia and could be an important aid to preserving the memories of millions of people suffering from sleep apnea. What’s more, green tea may well contain substances that offer hope for a variety of other brain-injuring diseases. “Recent studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective activity of GTP in animal models of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease,” Dr. Gozal wrote.

About the author
Sherry Baker is a widely published writer whose work has appeared in Newsweek, Health, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Yoga Journal, Optometry, Atlanta, Arthritis Today, Natural Healing Newsletter, OMNI, UCLA’s "Healthy Years" newsletter, Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s "Focus on Health Aging" newsletter, the Cleveland Clinic’s "Men’s Health Advisor" newsletter and many others.

Green Tea For Diets And Health Body

2008-05-14T13:04:00.001-07:00

Due to the inactive lifestyle some people live and the unhealthy eating patterns; obesity has become one of the major health issues in our society today.

It is estimated that more that 50% of the American population is overweight or obese. An increasing awareness on the risks of obesity, a lot of people are now aiming to lose weight and live healthy lifestyles. Although it takes having better eating habits and more active lifestyles, being on a diet plan is also a very popular because it helps on the goal to lose weight.

While it is critical to lose weight, people also realize that the diets they join must be risk free and do not have any negative side effects in the short or long term. This is where green tea comes in.

Green tea is a natural ingredient which not only helps with weight loss, but also brings various health benefits for improved body vitality and longevity.

What Is Its Background?

The green tea diet has been extremely appreciated by the Chinese as an herbal and medicinal drink for four thousands of years. It comes from the plant called Carmellia sinensis. The key health benefits of green tea diets are due to the fact that it is steamed during the process of making it, thus preserving the natural antioxidants in its original form. This is very beneficial to one’s health as the body can easily and quickly absorb these antioxidants.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Green Tea Diet?

There are many health benefits associated with the diet.

For one it can help prevent cancer. Some specific substances called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG in green tea diets help in destroying cancer cells without harming any neighboring tissues.

EGCG is also helpful in boosting the 24-hour energy expenditure of the body. Based on a study on the special diet conducted by American and Swiss scientists at the University of Geneva, it was shown the tea causes an additional increase of 4% in the body’s natural energy expenditure. People who were on a green tea diet were more likely to use up more fats than those not on the diet, thus helping with reducing stored fat.

Green tea diets have also been shown to greatly help in reducing cholesterol levels. Another study was conducted in China using 240 people with high cholesterol levels as subjects. These people were placed on a green tea diet of one capsule (equivalent to seven cups of green tea) every day. After 3 months, those who were on the diet dropped 16% in their cholesterol levels.

In recent studies, it has also been shown that green tea diets can also be a potential cure to obesity. The catechin polyphenols available in the diet can holdup the reaction of gastric and pancreatic lipases in the body. These enzymes are responsible for converting calories in the body into fats. By delaying these enzymes, the diet can therefore stop fat from being stored and prevent obesity in people.

In addition, the special type of diet contains considerable quantity of caffeine which means it mildly suppresses appetite. However, the caffeine is not as high as those found in other caffeine-based beverages, like coffee. These high levels of caffeine are potentially harmful for the body since an excess of it can cause heart palpitations, hypertension, and insomnia. Because green tea contains only very low levels of caffeine, there is no risk of experiencing these negative side-effects.

Green tea can potentially offer several benefits to your diet. It is recommended to include the wonderful drink in your diet. With this weight loss strategy, not only can you drop those pounds, but you can also boost your overall health and vitality.

Learn more about diets and diet scams at
http://fat-burner-diet-reviews.blogspot.com