Steaming
and drying leaves of the tea plant known scientifically
as Camellia sinensis makes Green Tea.
The leaves aren’t permitted to ferment
and oxidize as in black tea, thereby preserving
many more nutrients – particularly the
polyphenols. The strong, astringent flavor of
tea is attributed to its polyphenol content.
Polyphenols are not only potent antioxidants
themselves, but they also seem to increase the
activity of antioxidant enzymes. In fact, these
special flavonoids have been credited with having
more potency than vitamins C and E. Polyphenols
appear to thwart cancer by at least three methods;
They can shut off the formation of cancer cells;
turn up the body’s natural detoxification
defenses; and suppress cancer advancement.
According to a laboratory study conducted by
S.G.Khan and published in Cancer Research, mice
were fed green tea polyphenols
via their drinking water for 30 days. The researchers
noted a significant increase in the activity
of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes. This
increase in activity was observed in the small
intestine, liver, and lungs. In vitro studies
also support green tea’s
cancer preventive properties.
While green tea is certainly
not a panacea for all types of cancer, it does
seem to target specific cancer types in its
preventive and therapeutic role. These include
cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, including
those of the stomach, small intestine, pancreas,
and colon; lung cancer; esophageal cancer and
estrogen-related cancers, including the majority
of breast cancers, as observed in both animal
and human models.
In addition to its chemopreventive properties,
green tea polyphenols exert other healthy attributes
within the body. They exercise antimicrobial
activity, and appear to be particularly useful
in the treatment of intestinal disorders such
as cholera and typhus. In a number of preliminary
studies, many viruses seem to be adversely affected
by the presence of polyphenols. In fact, green
tea may be worthwhile investigating
in regards to its effect on the AIDS virus,
as its polyphenols increase the percentage of
T-helper lymphocytes and decrease the percentage
of T-suppressor lymphocytes, while HIV infection
decreases T-helper and increases T-suppressor,
lymphocyte activities.
A number of studies also indicate that green
tea can aid in the fight against atherosclerosis
and hypertension. The polyphenols not only lower
serum LDL cholesterol levels, but when consumed
in high quantities (10 cups per day), raise
HDL levels and lower triglyceride levels, as
well. In laboratory trials, a reduction in blood
pressure was noted in mice after polyphenols
were introduced into their diets.
Like anything else, Green Tea
does not work 100% of the time. Best results
are obtained when it is part of a comprehensive
program which includes other appropriate nutritional
supplements and dietary measures such as restriction
of animal fat, sugar, alcohol, citrus juices
and caffeine. Since it is the job of the liver
to manage fats in the body, liver detoxification
can be highly beneficial.
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