For more than 1000 years tea is known to man, a product of nature,
of immense value to humans.
By curing and processing the leaf-buds, leaves and inter nodes of the
tea plant [Camellia sinensis], in different ways the various varieties
of tea are obtained.
These processed leaves by addition of hot water or by boiling
water give an extract and it is the beverage tea.
Of the various processes the best is green
tea production and green tea is of immense health value.
By wilting and drying tea leaf-nodes, tea leaves and internodes
without oxidation green tea is produced.
Green tea is a treasure house of health
benefits
Green tea contains many undiscovered components.
Polyphenols, a type of
antioxidants abound in green tea.
Catechins, a type of polyphenols,
are the very important antioxidants
found in green tea. Catechins make up to 30% of the dry weight of
freshly processed green tea.
The catechins present in green tea show antioxidant activity which is
100 times more potent than the well known antioxidant vitamin E.
Aging process
Aging process is brought about by the free
radicals and the hormones released during the biological
process.
Further the free radicals reduce our immunity
and decrease our resistance to
diseases.
By binding themselves to the free radicals, the antioxidants in green
tea retard the aging process and keep us healthy and free from
diseases.
Obesity
Saponins in green tea help us in the
metabolism of fats and protect us from obesity related
diseases.
Heart-attacks
Green tea is believed to regulate cholesterol levels with marked
increase in good cholesterol and
reduction in bad cholesterol.
The ECGG, a type of antioxidant,
prevents clot formation and help in the free flow of blood in the
blood vessels.
This in turn reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Cancer
The polyphenol ECGG present in green tea is found to arrest the
development of prostate and
lung cancers.
Dental care
Fluorides, vitamin C and polyphenols present in green tea prevent
plaque formation, tooth decay and gum diseases.
