Polyphenols in Green Tea
Ranked #42,135 in Healthy Living, #507,836 overall
Poly what?
But we are all students of our own bodies and our own health so it's always a good idea to learn as much as we can about medical words that may sound intimidating but really are not. How about when we first heard the word antioxidant? That one took some getting used to and now it is very common to many folks. We know it as a good thing. The same goes for polyphenols and catechins. Both are good words to learn about and add to our growing medical vocabularies because nowadays when we talk about disease and health concerns we are learning more and more about how our bodies work at the molecular level. Polyphenols and catechins are substances found in a simple beverage many people around the world drink every day: TEA! Now tea is nothing to feel intimidated about, right? So, let's learn about tea but more specifically about green tea which is becoming more and more popular in the healthcare community as a curative for many health ailments.
A Cup of Green Tea and Its Amazing Polyphenols
A cup of tea. There is an entire science surrounding this basic and simple beverage. Tea has been touted as being the magic cure-all for everything, especially the green variety. It is said to hold curative properties for human illnesses and preventive health. There is proven truth to many of the claims and the jury is still out on many others. There are still studies to be done and analyzed but the ones that are completed paint a fairly impressive picture of the powerful benefits of this simple tea. Many of these medical headlines do have merit.
The majority of the therapeutic health benefits attributed to the tea are due to the polyphenols, the potent anti-oxidant compounds found in it. Polyphenols contained in teas are classified as catechins. There are six primary catechin compounds found in the green version of the tea: catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). EGCG is the most studied polyphenol component in green tea and also the most active. Catechins are present in nearly all teas made from Camellia sinensis including white tea, green tea, black tea and Oolong tea.
Vita Life Matcha Green Tea Powder, 10.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 2)
The National Cancer Institute has ongoing clinical trials on the health impact that this tea can offer in the fight against skin cancer. Two current studies are testing to see the effects of a green tea pill on sun-induced skin damage and another is making a determination whether a topical application shrinks pre-cancerous skin changes. These scientific studies suggest that EGCG and green tea polyphenols have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties that may help prevent the onset and growth of skin tumors.
The catechins have a strong antibiotic effect and play a role is disrupting the replication of the DNA in bacteria. In in-vitro experiments the EGCG was able to reverse methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This could prove to be a treatment for such resistant bacteria. There is another clinical study through the National Institute of Health to determine the effect of the tea as an extract in preventing cervical cancer in patients with Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Dental caries, dental plaque formation and bad breath - which are bacterial infections - have been treated successfully with green tea. Aside from being a powerful antioxidant, green tea promotes healthy cholesterol, healthy blood pressure, good blood sugar and a healthy metabolism, cardiovascular health, younger looking skin, digestive health, and energy. One of the more recent claims that has much interest is that green tea promotes weight loss and acts as a diuretic.
As powerful as this tea appears to be, it is best to take a precautionary approach. With any herbal or plant based supplement there could be interactions with medications being taken so it is always advised to consult with your physician before implementing any dietary changes that include green tea beverages or its supplement and extract forms. People with heart problems, kidney disorders, stomach ulcers, and psychological disorders (particularly anxiety) should not take green tea. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid this tea.
A cup of green tea. Who knew? It may be the new powerhouse miracle that could prove to change lives and improve health just as penicillin or the invention of aspirin. Something so simple yet so promising.
Green Tea can be your first step toward good health. Combined with a commitment to an exercise program and healthy food choices will give you the best possible chance at reaching your personal health goals. Please visit http://www.greenteaheals.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leopold
New Table of Contents
- A Cup of Green Tea and Its Amazing Polyphenols
- GREEN TEA POWDER (MATCHA)
- GREEN TEA for Better Health
- GREEN TEA FACTS
- Side Effects and Cautions of Green Tea Consumption
- Green Tea Ice Cream !
- Japanese Tea Sets on Ebay
- Catechins are Awesome!
- Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
- Japanese Tea Sets
- Learn to Speak Japanese
- Antique Japanese Tea Kettles
- Many Teas to Choose from .....
- A Cup of Tea ....
- Cooking With GREEN TEA
- Twitter Follow
- Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony
- Tea Ceremony based in Zen Buddhism
- Learn more about the Japanese Tea Ceremony
- GREEN TEA Reference Books
- Beautiful T E A
- The Etiquette of Afternoon Tea
- Vintage Tea Kettles
- TEA Magazines and Newsletters
- Tea traditions ....
- Amazon Search
- Traditions of Japan
- Other Lenses of Interest on Squidoo
GREEN TEA POWDER (MATCHA)
Matcha is green tea in the form of a powder that is used for drinking as tea or as an ingredient used in recipes. Matcha comes from Japan while all other green tea varieties are grown around the world. Matcha has long been a part of the Japanese culture and is at the heart of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies (see the video below on this page).
Matcha is a more powerful, stronger form of green tea and one cup is equal to about 8 or 10 cups of regular brewed green tea (leaves). One is ingesting the entire tea leaf and the concentrated powder offers more nutritional and health benefits.
Each tin box can be used to make about 141 fifteen ounce (450 mL) servings. Come with measuring spoon! ---- Green tea contains the highest levels naturally-occurring compounds called polyphenols that have powerful antioxidant properties. Polyphenols may help prevent certain types of cancers, lower the risk of heart disease and help ward off colds and flu. There is even evidence that when used as an ingredient in sunblock lotions, green tea may inhibit some types of skin cancers.
When steeping tea leaves some of these beneficial compounds are extracted from the leaf, but you can never extract 100%. However, with Matcha, you get 100% of these beneficial compounds, as you are actually consuming the whole powdered leaf.
Directions: Here are a number of ways that you can enjoy this healthy and delicious product: Mix 2g of Green Tea Powder with: 8oz. of cold or lukewarm water (~60 C) -A cup of frozen yogurt -A glass of orange, apple, tomato, or pineapple juice -A bottled water(convenient for traveling and working out) Green tea powder can also be included into your own fine cooking, use with your toothpaste, shampoo, and facial cleaner.
Vita Life Matcha (Green Tea Powder) Value Pack Bonus Pack - 6 Boxes (63.48 Oz)
Amazon Price: $115.00 (as of 02/17/2012)
***** 5 Star Review on Amazon:
Green tea contains antioxidants such as flavonoids, EGCG, catechins (more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage). It is found that green tea is an effective remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease (block the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good) cholesterol and improve artery function), and certain immune deficiencies. Furthermore, the fat-burning abilities of green tea make it an excellent weight loss aid.
Among all the green tea product, green tea powder is obviously the most concentrated form of the beverage. It is the easiest way to get all the benefits of green tea!
To make green tea powder, the tea bushes are sheltered from direct sunlight about three/four weeks before harvest. This slow down the growth, and also turns the leaves a darker shade of green and and tea is sweeter. After harvesting, when the leaves are laid out to dry, the leaves crumble and then are ground to the fine, bright green powder known as matcha, which roughly has the consistency of talcum powder.
Green Tea Powder (Matcha) has many grades, just like green tea (the price can be 1000 times difference!). This brand of green tea is not the highest grade, may not be the one for Japanese tea ceremonial. However, it is very green, and not bitter at all. I found it is quite good for its price. Since I am more interested in the green tea benefit than performing tea ceremonial, I prefer this matcha to save my wallet. There is an abundance of green tea powder in each tin, that allows me to have many, many usages, which can be beyond the kitchen.
As Beverage:
(1) Prepare a greener and healthier green tea, by mixing some matcha into your daily cup - one of the healthiest beverages in the world
(2) Iced Tea: First mix in a small amount in warm water until dissolved, then add to
iced water (add sugar if you wish) - a cooling refreshing drink in hot summer day!
(3) Make green tea fruit smoothie (prepare as you usually do, mix matcha with yogurt or milk and add to blender)
(4)Green Iced Tea Latte (matcha, honey, water (to dissolve) and milk, ice cubes). Similar for hot Green Tea Latte.
As Food Enhancer:
(1) Use as flavor enhancer: add to milk, plain yogurt,
(2) Make green tea ice cream (Let Vanilla ice cream (yogurt, or frozen youart) stand until soft , mix with green tea powder, then refreeze it until hard
(3) Sprinkling a little matcha powder to soup, stew, or salad
(4) Use as an all natural food color with all the great benefits and pleasant fresh fragrance,
(5) Add to all kinds of Baking (Just add some to your favorite recipes)
(6) Mix into pasta, dash into any your favorite dishes
As Health and Beauty aid:
(1) Take small amount rub on the face as an all natural facial cleanser or facial scrub to remove make-up, clean out the oil and dirty. Great for sensitive, irritated skin.
(2) Mix with olive oil, make a home made anti-wrinkle treatment.
(3) Mix into Shampoo, or directly apply to scalp for a gentle, yet effective cleanser.
(4) Mix with Toothpaste, or just directly apply to teeth and brush for a healthy, cleaner teeth and gum.
http://www.greenteaheals.com
GREEN TEA FACTS
- Green Tea: Herbs at a Glance
- This fact sheet provides basic information about green tea-common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. All types of tea (green, black, and oolong) are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant using different methods. Fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant are steamed to produce green tea.
- Safety of Green Tea Extracts : A Systematic Review by the US Pharmacopeia.
- Green tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] is the fourth most commonly used dietary supplement in the US. Recently, regulatory agencies in France and Spain suspended market authorization of a weight-loss product containing green tea extract because of hepatotoxicity concerns.
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Side Effects and Cautions of Green Tea Consumption
* Green tea is safe for most adults when used in moderate amounts.
* There have been some case reports of liver problems in people taking concentrated green tea extracts. This problem does not seem to be connected with green tea infusions or beverages. Although these cases are very rare and the evidence is not definitive, experts suggest that concentrated green tea extracts be taken with food, and that people should discontinue use and consult a heath care practitioner if they have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.
* Green tea and green tea extracts contain caffeine. Caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent urination in some people.
* Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K, which can make anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, less effective.
* Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Desirable green tea intake is 3 to 5 cups per day (up to 1200 ml/day), providing a minimum of 250 mg/day catechins. If not exceeding the daily recommended allowance, those who enjoy a cup of green tea should continue its consumption. Drinking green tea appears to be safe at moderate, regular and habitual use.
(From: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/greentea/ - article is in the public domain.)
Green Tea Ice Cream !
Recipe from the LA Times / Food Section
Servings: Makes about 1 quart
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons green tea powder
5 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream, milk and salt to a bare simmer. Whisk in the green tea powder until dissolved. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar.
2. Whisk 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg mixture to temper the eggs, then slowly pour the eggs into the saucepan, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens to a custard (it will be thick enough to coat the back of the spoon).
3. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and strain the custard into a medium bowl set over a bowl of ice water. Stir the custard until it is cold.
4. Freeze the custard in an ice cream maker until frozen, then transfer to an airtight container and freeze until hardened.
Each one-half cup serving: 269 calories; 6 grams protein; 15 grams carbohydrates; 0 fiber; 21 grams fat; 12 grams saturated fat; 198 mg. cholesterol; 115 mg. sodium.
Vita Life Matcha Green Tea Powder, 10.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 2)
Japanese Tea Sets on Ebay
Catechins are Awesome!
Antioxidant Power in a Cup of Tea!
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Cooking With GREEN TEA
Healthy Green Tea Recipes
Capture the healthy benefits of green tea with this collection of tasty recipes.
Green tea has long been admired for its calming effects. Now this delicious substance is being recognized for its fundamental nutritional uses.
Polyphenols, one of the most effective antioxidants known, are an essential component of green tea. This compound possesses powers that make it an important protector against a variety of chronic ailments. In 'Cooking with Green Tea', Ying Chang Compestine teaches readers how to distinguish between the various types of tea, and explains why green tea is most favored. In addition, she provides more than fifty healthy recipes that are enhanced by this flavorful ingredient.
About the Author
Ying Chang Compestine is a regular food writer for Cooking Light, Self, and Men's Health. She has also been actively involved with several major tea manufacturers.
Cooking with Green Tea: Delicious dishes enhanced by the miraculous healing powers of green tea
Amazon Price: $9.44 (as of 02/17/2012)
***** 5 Star Reviews on AMAZON:
#1 "I have tried cooking with many different teas - its like having little seasonings in a convenient packet. I was pleased to find a book that focused on Green Tea - especially because of Green Teas health benefits. The recipes are easy and fast, and most of all extremely tasty! I did try the 3-day green tea diet/cleansing & found it very easy as well as refreshing! I had a lot of energy afterward. The Green Tea vegetable soup is one of my favorites! I highly recommend the spring rolls and cold noodles in peanut sauce. Easy recipes with great taste that are good for you!"
#2 "I've been a fan of green tea for a long time, but I had no idea what a difference it can make in cooking! These recipes are simple, and there's a lot of variety -- everything from sauces and appetizers to entrees and desserts. The ones I've tried so far have worked out great. The author's commentary puts each dish in an interesting and useful context (health, cultural, etc.) If you're looking for a fun, interesting, and accessible collection of new dishes to try, I recommend this book!"
#3 "This cookbook is great--not only allowing one to enjoy the taste and the benefits of green tea, but also to experience healthy and delicious foods! I must admit, I always thought of Asian food as a difficult cuisine to prepare at home--but these recipes are easy to follow, and I had great results!"
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Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony
Elegance & Harmony
Tea Ceremony based in Zen Buddhism
Manual of Zen Buddhism
Amazon Price: $14.68 (as of 02/17/2012)
Insights into the tranquility of a Japanese Tea Ceremony and why it is important to that culture.
Learn more about the Japanese Tea Ceremony
GREEN TEA Reference Books
Improve Your Health Today
Beautiful T E A
The Etiquette of Afternoon Tea
Vintage Tea Kettles
TEA Magazines and Newsletters
Stay Informed ....
Amazon Search
Traditions of Japan
Other Lenses of Interest on Squidoo
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