Health Benefits of Tea
Cancer
Can green tea prevent cancer?
The majority of current research is focussed around cancer as it is thought that the antioxidant components of tea, and in particular Green Tea, can help to prevent cancer by combating the dangerous free radicals and inhibiting uncontrolled cell growth, due to it’s high Antioxidant levels.
Scientific findings suggest that Green Tea may prevent the following types of cancer in humans; Skin, Lung, Stomach, Colon, Pancreas, Bladder, Prostate, Oral and Oesophageal.
Tea has been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis at the initiation, promotion and progression stages of cancer (Middleton E, et al (1994), Dreosti IE, et al (1997), Katiyar SK, et al (1996))
Researchers at the University of Murcia in Spain and the John Innes Center in Norwich, England, report that EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) prevents cancer cells from growing by binding to a specific enzyme.
"We have shown for the first time that EGCG, which is present in Green Tea at relatively high concentrations, inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), which is a recognized, established target for anti-cancer drugs. This is the first time, to our knowledge, a known target for an anti-cancer drug has been identified as being inhibited by EGCG and EGCG is probably just one of a number of anti-cancer mechanisms in Green Tea " Professor Roger Thorneley, of JIC stated.
We are only beginning to discover the benefits of regularly taking tea, and research will continue to discover new and exciting benefits to the wonderful leaf. Needless to say by regularly drinking Green Tea we are doing wonders for our bodies whilst relaxing the mind.
A Healthy Heart, Lower Cholesterol and Stronger Immunity
The Heart
It is believed that free radicals are the cause of heart disease, some kinds of cancer and increase the risk of strokes. We all take in fats and occasionally treat ourselves with the odd high cholesterol treat, they are a part of life. In order to remain healthy we must manage our levels. Green Tea acts to reduce cholesterol levels and regular consumption is therefore recommended.
Recent research has shown the following:
1. Anti-oxidants may have curative properties that inhibit the development of heart disease and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack
2. Tea flavonoids increase coronary flow and promote healthy blood vessel functionality
3. Consuming tea lowers cholesterol levels.
In 2004 a report by Sano J, Inami S, Seimiya K, Ohba T, Sakai S, Takano T, Mizuno K. concluded that Green Tea consumption was associated with a lower incidence of CAD in the present study population in Japan. Therefore, the more Green Tea patients consume, the less likely they are to have Coronary Artery Disease.
A long term study in Japan found, tea drinkers consuming more than 230gms of tea per day had significantly less risk of dying from heart disease and a lower rate of first heart attacks than those who drank less tea. Men in the study whose antioxidant intake was greatest had one-third the risk of death from coronary heart disease than those who consumed minimal levels.
One study in Japan found an average decrease of eight total cholesterol levels for men with the highest daily intake of Green Tea, compared to ones with the lowest.
In 2004 a study in China (Yang YC, Lu FH, Wu JS, Wu CH, Chang CJ.) showed habitual moderate strength Green or Oolong Tea consumption for 1 year, significantly reduces the risk of developing High Blood Pressure (hypertension) in the Chinese population.
Immunity
Drinking tea regularly has been shown to improve the immune system. The Polyphenols in tea have been shown to help increase the white blood cell count, which is responsible for fighting infection. The high vitamin C content found primarily in Green Tea also helps to strengthen the immune system.
Weight Loss and Obesity
Increase your metabolism
Did you know that drinking tea can help you lose weight and when taken without milk contains no calories?
Many of the modern diet supplements now contain Green Tea Extract, the reason is that it makes the body burn fat quicker.
The leaves of tea plant are thermogenic, which means that Green Tea raises the metabolism without increasing the heart rate, meaning you burn more calories.
Much has been written lately about Pu Erh tea and it’s ability to assist in weight management. This type of tea is widely drunk in China with meals to aid digestion. It’s ability to increase digestion of fatty foods with incredible efficiency is why it is recommended that this tea is drunk with meals. It is also proven to reduce cholesterol levels when drunk regularly, again with meals.
Caffeine and Re-hydration
Tea, Caffeine and your body
Caffeine acts as a stimulant to the nervous system, and its mild action may help to prevent a feeling of fatigue. However, it is also a weak diuretic, which stimulates the production of urine by depressing secretion of anti-diuretic hormone. The suggested maximum daily intake is 300mg.
Tea does contain caffeine, however significantly less than coffee. A typical cup of Black Tea contains around 50mg per 190ml cup compared to up to 150mg in a coffee. Green Tea contains even less caffeine, typically around 25mg per cup, with White Tea containing even less at an average of 20mg.
Over the past decade or so we have become far too used to popping into Starbucks for a Skinny Latte or a Double Espresso on a regular basis without thought for the amount of caffeine we are consuming. This puts undue stress on the body and the mind and we are slowly beginning to move towards a more health conscious society in which Tea will play an important role once again.
Recently a panel of experts, which included internationally renowned nutritionists and biochemists, identified tea drinking as being hydrating rather than dehydrating and something that, due to its relatively low caffeine content, was mood enhancing yet had no negative effect on sleep quality or duration.
Re-hydration
Up to 70% of our body is water and it is therefore important to replace fluids that are lost through day-to-day activities. The suggested daily intake of water is 2.5 litres.
Due to the low caffeine levels found in Green Tea and White Tea, they would not be classed as being diuretic and can be drunk throughout the day all of which will count toward your daily intake of fluids.
