Green Tea benefits, Cholesterol, Arthritis, heart health

Green Tea is made from the leaves of Camellia Sinensis. This plant grows as a large shrub or tree. Green tea has been recognized as a medicinal beverage to promote healthy mind and body for almost 5000 years. Traditional Chinese medicine has recommended green tea for headaches, body aches, pain, and digestion, detoxification, as an energizer and to prolong life.

Green Tea contains polyphenols, particularly the Catechin called Epigallocatechin Gallate. Researchers have stated that Polyphenols in Green Tea have been shown to stimulate the production of several immune system cells and to have antibacterial properties. In fact, the antioxidant effects of polyphenols seem to be greater than that of Vitamins C and E.

A Chinese study published recently in the Archives of “Internal Medicine” showed a 46% - 65% reduction in hypertension risk in regular consumers of “Green – Tea” compared to non –consumers. Researchers have proved that flavonoids can prohibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein which causes atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries, or plaque. Green Tea also inhibits the formation of blood clots and the Flavonoids improve the ability of vessels to dilate and contract.

Research has been done on Green Tea by – Department of Physiology ,Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva University Hospital; and laboratories Arkopharma, Nice, France and in Conclusion , it has been found that Green Tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation due to its caffeine content. The Green Tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via Sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation or both.

Green Tea can prevent “Rheumatoid Arthritis – Ref. Science daily 27 Mar 2006. Case Western Research University 27 Mar 2006. Green Tea increases HDL. (Good – Cholesterol) Researchers also found that it significantly reduces blood levels of harmful cholesterol (LDL). Clinical studies conducted show that polyphenols in tea, especially in Green Tea may play an important role in the prevention of Cancer.

Catechins are the flavonoid phytochemical compound that appear in Green Tea.There are Four polyphenol catechins in Green Tea which include gallocatechin (GC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In experimental models, catechins show a cardio protective effect and antimicrobial properties. Researchers have proved that EGCG is useful in prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Catechins exert significant antioxidant power and may prove to be very useful for maintaining health of the heart.

Scientific Studies done on Green Tea have been listed below.
1.Research reported in the sixth international conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, sponsored by American Association for Cancer Research: a standardized Green-Tea polyphenol preparation (PolyphenoneE) limits the growth of colorectal tumor in rats with a substance that causes Cancer. “Our findings show that rat fed a diet containing plyphenonE is less than half as likely to develop colon Cancer. Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, noted in statement.
2.A study published in the December 1919 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that “Green Tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content. The green tea extract may play vital role in control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation or both. Ref: Dulloo AG, Duret C, Rohrer D, et al. (December 1919)

Efficacy of green tea extracts rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans – Am. J. clin. Nutr 70(6); 1040-5 PMID 10584049.

Products that contain Green Tea extract along with Pomegranate and Arjuna extracts have synergistic benefits. Hence these products are Cardiotonic and can act with higher efficacy to relieve the problems related to Heart. Green Tea by itself acts as an antioxidant also. The blend of above three herbs could help reduce bad cholesterol (LDL)and increase good cholesterol( HDL).

Dr. Veena Deo, B.A.M.S. (M.D.)Dr. Veena Deo is an Ayurvedic Doctor in India. All the information provided above and opinions expressed above are her own and should not be construed as medical advice. This information is provided for educational purposes only.