We’ve all heard about the tremendous green tea health benefits, but is it just hype? Is it just the newest fad that will be overshadowed by the next great cure all?
First of all, it’s not a cure all. It has been around for more than 2000 years, and traditional practitioners have been recommending the beverage or extracts from the plant leaves, for health problems of all kinds.
Seeing, or “feeling,” is believing, for most people. One of the first things that you will notice after consuming some is improved energy levels. Some of that is expected and may be due to the small amount of caffeine in each serving. But there are other compounds that are primarily responsible for this increase in energy.
All of the leaves start out green, but processing in order to change the flavor changes the color, too. Resulting in both green and black teas. Green tea leaves contain antioxidants called catechins. However, those antioxidants are removed from black tea, as the result of the processing method.
For hundreds of years, the green varieties were only popular in Asia, while the black varieties were more popular in the West. Recently, that has changed. As reports of the green tea health benefits have reached the public, demand for the leaves and the beverage has grown in the West.
Antioxidants of all kinds are known to be beneficial to human health, and are good for you. They neutralize free radical molecules, which can cause cellular damage and are one of the main causes of cellular aging, and a host of other maladies.
What separates green tea, from other natural remedies are the catechins found in it. Catechins are a unique type of antioxidant.
Unlike common antioxidants, such as the vitamins A, C and E, there are very few natural sources of catechins. Other than these leaves, the only other known natural source, are certain varieties of cocoa plants.
Most of the research concerning catechins has revolved around cancer prevention or treatment. It has been shown that regular green tea drinkers have a reduced risk of certain kinds of cancer, including stomach and throat cancer.
Other benefits involve the heart and circulatory system. Catechins prevent platelet aggregation, which is the cause of blood clots and hardening of the arteries.
In essence, we have a beverage that reduces our risk from two of the biggest killers. That’s a pretty powerful reason to seek out green tea, don’t you think?!
Of course, some just can’t handle the flavor. For many, tea of any kind just isn’t appealing, and the green version in particular can be an acquired taste.
For those who prefer not to drink the tea, supplements offer a great alternative.
Most people take at least one supplement or vitamin a day, for improved health. You may wish to consider switching that one “pill,” for one that includes green tea health benefits.
There are only a few multi-nutritional supplements containing catechins. But if you really want to improve your health and get the best value for your money, a multi-nutritional supplement is the way to go.
Taking numerous single ingredient supplements can be overwhelming and expensive. On top of that, we never quite know how multiple supplements will react with each other.
The safest way to get the green tea health benefits is to take a well-designed multi-nutritional supplement. That way you’re letting the experts determine which nutrients can be safely taken together and which ones should be left out.
Although catechins may reduce the risk of heart disease and some kinds of cancer, they do not address all of the causes of cellular aging. Chronic inflammation, for example, is one of the five major causes.
Unfortunately, catechins do not have anti-inflammatory activity. But a well designed multi-nutritional supplement will help address inflammation, as well.
Even though green tea benefits are powerful, they are somewhat limited. But, when combined with other healthful ingredients in a multi-nutritional supplement, they become unbeatable.
Drinking green tea is a great way to enhance your overall good health. Taking a multi-nutritional supplement that includes catechins, is even better!
Author: Mark Hegge
Source: ezinearticles.com
