You might want to consider replacing your Green Eggs and Ham with Green Tea and Ham the next time you break your fast in the morning - or any other time, for that matter. It appears that a green tea diet may hold at least a few properties of those golden elixirs, fountains of youth, and magic potions we’ve all heard about over the years. Here are just a few:

Staving off Alzheimer’s - A green tea diet may delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. A British study found that drinking green tea inhibited three important brain-battering chemicals: acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and beta-secretase. Before you get your tongue twisted around your eye teeth and can’t see what your saying with these three-dollar words, all you really need to know is that they are three chemical culprits associated with breaking down chemical messengers and forming plaques and protein deposits in the noggin’s gray matter - definite hindrances to crystal clear thinking.

Fighting Flu - Incorporating a green tea diet to your daily intake of consumables may also be a key flu-fighting strategy, according to researchers. Drinking green tea stimulates those heroic gamma-delta T-cells provided gratis from Mother Nature that boost immunity against viruses. There’s a remarkable substance in green tea called L-theanine that triggers the T cells to secrete a staggering 10 times their normal output of virus-battling interferon. Even gargling with green tea coats the oral cavity’s membranes with one of green tea’s potent components - catechins - which successfully neutralizes the vicious virus.

Battling the Bulge - A recent scientific paper from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concludes that a green tea diet increases metabolism and oxidizes fat - without raising heart rates. The heart-rate item merits significance because increased heart rates can lead to adverse cardiac effects. Since there are only two ways to get rid of fat - decreasing food intake (diet) or increasing energy expenditure (exercise) - this makes green tea a much-needed helper for those unable to do the former (diet), at least successfully. And to expend energy without putting a load on the ticker makes green tea even that much more a winning alternative to stimulant-laden weight-loss concoctions.

Love the idea of a green tea diet but can’t stand the taste of tea? Don’t despair. There’s hope for you, yet! Green tea extract comes in pill form, as well, so you’ll need to come up with some other excuse! Taken as a dietary supplement, green tea extract usually comes in 500 mg. capsules taken two or three times daily. Now, that’s not hard, is it? And no bitter-beer-face aftertaste, either!

So whether you take pills or sip it from a cup, the benefits gained from a green tea diet cannot be ignored. Well, they can, but that would be stupid, right? And since you’re smart enough to be reading this great article, that proves you’ve got a leg up in the brains department (please don’t take that literally!). But I digress. The point here is to consume green tea - one way or another. And if you’re not willing to give up the green eggs with your ham, well, then, at least add green tea to the meal. But if the ham is green … toss it!

Any natural ingredient that has a 4,000 year history of treating a wide variety of ailments is worth knowing more about. Green tea falls right into that category. In fact, Chinese people have been touting the benefits of green tea since the first Dynasty and earlier.

Although green tea has been a “folklore medicine” for all of that time, recent scientific research into the curing properties of green tea indicates that there is something there after all.

As early as 1994 an article published by the Journal of the National cancer Institute showed that a regular diet that included green tea could reduce the risks of esophageal cancer by as much as 60%. The study found that certain compounds found in green tea tended to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. As a side benefit, green tea was also shown to reduce total cholesterol levels and increase the ratio of HDL (good) cholesterol to LDL (bad) cholesterol.

The Chinese already knew that and they also believe that green tea is an effective remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and certain immune deficiencies.

So, what’s in green tea that’s so good?

Apparently it’s the fact that green tea is high in an anti-oxidant known as “epigallocatechin gallate” , or EGCG for short.

Clinical tests show that EGCG not only inhibits the growth of new cancer cells, but it kills some existing cancer cells without harming normal cells. EGCG also reportedly inhibits the unnatural formation of blood clots which have been known to cause thrombosis, one of the leading causes of heart attacks and stroke.

Green tea and black tea both come from the Camellia sinensis plant yet only green tea has been found to have these medicinal properties. Researchers believe this is because green tea is manufactured using a process where the tea-producing plant’s leaves are steamed instead of being fermented like the other varieties. This steaming process leaves the EGCG compounds undamaged. The fermenting process, on the other hand, converts the EGCG into an inert substance which loses its medicinal properties.

The dark side of drinking green tea.

Well, the good news is that there isn’t any bad news other than the fact that green tea contains caffeine which may or may not be something that you want in your body. The caffeine count is substantially lower than coffee and other teas, however, and the benefits of drinking green tea seem to greatly outweigh the side effects of caffeine; at least for most people.

How much green tea is right for you?

That depends upon who you listen to. Some Chinese homeopathic health practitioners call for 10 cups a day, while some health researchers say that 2 to 3 cups will do the trick. When you look at all of the varying research, and take the average, 4 to 5 eight ounce cups of green tea per day should be good enough for most people.

If you don’t like drinking green tea, or find the process of brewing green tea to be more that you are willing to go through 4 to 5 times per day, there are companies who produce “Green Tea Capsules” which contain doses of EGCG.

It’s been said that anything that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Since no one has found any instances of “death by green tea”, it certainly can’t do you any harm (and it just might do you some good), to introduce green tea into your life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as an accumulation of excess body fat, to an extent that may impair health. Obesity is one of the most common health conditions, affecting as much as 64% of adult Americans. This percentage is increasing every year.

Are you obese?
Obesity is measured by the body mass index (BMI). BMI is the proportion of one’s weight to his height. Overweight individuals have a weight not proportional to their height. People who are more than 100 lbs overweight have an extreme form of the disease called morbid obesity. If left untreated, obesity can cause serious health complications, such as heart ailments, high blood pressure, and diabetes, among others.

Taking action
Because of this, Americans have taken several measures to help them shed the excess pounds. According to reports, Americans collectively spend as much as $56 billion every year on weight loss products like diet pills, programs, and even surgery. Sadly, however, as much as $6 billion of this is spent on fraudulent and ineffective weight loss methods.

Losing weight
Weight loss can either be intentional or unintentional. Unintentional weight loss usually occurs after suffering from a serious disease or after undergoing surgery. But while it does yield fast results, it needs constant monitoring to make sure there are no complications.

Intentional weight loss, on the other hand, is a conscious effort to shed pounds. Diet and exercise are the most common methods used. More Americans are also turning to various products, such as Chinese green tea, for weight loss.

Why tea?
Studies have shown that people have been drinking tea for over 500,000 years ever since it originated in India and China. One of the most popular products today is Chinese green tea, a weight loss product that offers several other health benefits.

What makes Chinese green tea great for weight loss is its composition. Chinese green tea is made from unfermented leaves, which are believed to contain powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals – compounds found in the body that can cause cell death and alter the DNA. Free radicals are naturally found in the body, but environmental toxins like UV rays and radiation, also increase production. Many scientists believe that free radicals contribute to the body’s aging process, and to a number of complications like cancer and heart disease. Polyphenols found in Chinese green tea are believed to protect against free radicals.

Benefits of Chinese green tea
Chinese green tea has been used as a stimulant, diuretic (to promote the excretion of urine), astringent (to control bleeding and help heal wounds), and to improve heart health. Chinese green tea weight loss is just one of the many benefits it offers.

Chinese green tea and weight loss
Studies suggest that green tea extracts help boost metabolism and burn fat quicker. Many doctors advise obese patients to include more green tea in their diet. For effective Chinese green tea weight loss, drink at least eight cups a day. As an alternative, you can take Chinese green tea weight loss supplements. Most of them come in 500mg doses and should be taken twice a day.

Is it effective?
Although many studies are claiming that Chinese green tea is great for weight loss, there are also studies claiming otherwise. These studies suggest that drinking Chinese green tea does not help at all, and may even be harmful. So with all the “experts” offering contradicting views, which should you believe? Here are some tips.

Precautions
Before loading up on boxes of green tea, do your research and look up side effects. Consult your doctor to see whether green tea can be good for you. Studies have shown that people suffering from heart problems, kidney disorders, stomach ulcers, and even psychological disorders (particularly anxiety) should not drink green tea. Common side effects include:
• irritability
• insomnia
• heart palpitation
• dizziness

Too much green tea can also cause caffeine overdose, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and loss of appetite. You have to also be aware of caffeine poisoning. Before including green tea in your diet, it is best to consult with a doctor first. In the end, the best weight loss methods are still proper diet and regular exercise.

 One no longer has to buy a bottle of mineral water or coke when thirsty; instead get a can of Tea Cola, a proven health drink. And if one is in a hurry but still in the mood for a cup of tea, just pop a tea pill and get refreshed. 

The new drink named ‘Tea Cola’ would have two varieties. “We have developed two varieties - one from extracts of black tea and the other from green tea to cater to different palates.”

“The drink is made from pure natural tea extracts having a lot of medicinal properties in them.”

 Apart from tea extracts, Tea Cola contains certain permissible additives and some sweeteners. “The idea to develop Tea Cola is nothing but value addition to tea. The idea is to cut into the bottled mineral water market - a litre of Tea Cola would definitely be cheaper than a bottle of water.”

 The production cost for a litre of Tea Cola is estimated at about Rs 10.

 ”The pill is absolutely safe and can be chewed, or placed under the tongue, besides drinking in the conventional manner by dipping the tablet in a cup of hot water.”

“We are sure the tea tablets will refresh and cheer a person up with nearly the same feeling as having a hot cup of brewed tea.”

The production cost of a tea pill is 50 paise - the cost could be even cheaper when manufactured in bulk.

“The idea to launch the two products in Assam is mainly to get a feedback from consumers and if required further develop them. Only then do we plan to hit the world market.”

 Tea is acknowledged as a potent antioxidant that fights disease and helps people live longer. According to researchers, drinking a cup of tea daily could cut the risk of heart attack. This is attributed to the presence of natural substances in tea called flavonoids, a vitamin-like nutrient that makes blood cells less prone to clotting.

Some people ask. Why should they drink Green Tea? Isn’t it one of those horrible tasting ones? Green tea is no different in taste to other drinks like ordinary tea, and coffee. You get nice blends, and you can get horrible ones in each sort, and like all drinks you’ll get ones that you don’t like, and ones you do.

The benefits of finding a brand, or a type you like are worth it. Some say the the blend you find in your local Supermarket or Hypermarket actually suit them, yet a connoisseur will tell you that the place to get your supply from is a Chinese supermarket, or a good health food shop.

It was the Chinese, and the Japanese who made green tea popular, and it is reckoned that they have been drinking it for 4000 years as a health drink, and to cure things like head aches, and depression.

Recently more and more research has been done on green tea, and the results show a remarkable difference to peoples health that have tried it. Some research has showed that that the antioxidants in green tea can be beneficial to a good many ailments. These include Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and the lowering of Cholesterol. It is also believed that it has the ability to convert fat in the body, and turn it into energy, which means you loose weight as well.

By lowering your Cholesterol you lower your chances of blood clots forming, which in turn lowers the risk of heart attacks, and stokes. When you consider how many people get cardio vascular problems through obesity it makes sense to find a green tea that suits you for your own health benefits.

Green tea and black tea are not much different - they come from the same plant. The difference lies in the method of processing - black tea is allowed to ferment and is oxidizes, whereas green tea has not been allowed to ferment. Depending on how the green tea is processed (roasted or steamed) and where geographically it comes from, green tea could either be partially fermented or not fermented at all.

Green Tea retains much of its tannic acid content, as compared to black tea, where the tannic acid decomposes and forms more caffeine. This extra tannic acid in green tea has many significant characteristics and health benefits such as:

* There is a lower amount of caffeine. And of whatever caffeine there is, this caffeine is still in a linked chain (unbroken), so the caffeine is released at a much slower and gentler rate into the body than either black tea or even coffee.

* Tannic acid’s healthy effects are accentuated, these effects include reducing the risk of cancer and inflammations, as well as soothing and calming the gastro-intestinal system.

* There is more Vitamin C in green tea, as there is less or no fermentation. Vitamin C is easily destroyed during the fermentation process.

* There is more Vitamin B and thiamine in green tea. This ensures that the cells of our brain do not lack energy, and also protects the nervous system from being over stimulated.

The various active substances in green tea have been attributed to produce various effects on the body, most of them good. Green tea’s potent combination of Vitamin C and flavanoids can help to protect us from bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Green tea can help diabetics as it slows down the processing of complex carbohydrates into sugar, thus maintaining the blood sugar levels at a healthier level. It however, does not and cannot help with refined sugars, which are found in sweets, cakes and chocolates. So if you are a diabetic, it makes plenty of sense to include it into your regular diet.

If you substitute green tea instead of drinking your coffee with milk and black tea with milk, then you can sale a lot of calories from the milk and sugar used. Because green tea is best drunk plain, there are very little calories in it, almost zero. This is in contrast to the 80 or so calories in coffee with milk and sugar.

What is Green Tea Extract?

Green Tea Extract is the concentrate of the green tea leaf. The leaf is steeped in alcohol or some other solvent, which is then left to evaporate, leaving the extract. It has all the essential properties of the Green Tea Leaf. The extract has more of the essential parts, while parts of the leaf have no benefit, or effect at all.

Why You WANT it

Just as in green tea, the extract is loaded with plant nutrients called phytochemicals. They’re among some of nature’s strongest and most beneficial substances. The anti-oxidant rich phytochemicals, powerfully defend against the damages caused by free radicals in our bodies.

The free radicals are ‘missing a screw’; literally, they have an unpaired electron, which makes them unstable. They form fast chain reactions and can destabilize other molecules – that’s not good for us. The anti-oxidants found in Green Tea Extract neutralize the free radicals, and in so doing provide a number of noted benefits including: treating headaches, correcting poor digestion, and lowering cholesterol. Not only does the extract provide anti-oxidants, but studies have shown that our blood’s capacity for holding anti-oxidants increases. Not only do we get the healthy nutrients in the extract, but also our bodies are able to hold more – it’s like a Power-Up!

Another benefit from Green Tea Extract is increased metabolism, and therefore, weight loss. Green Tea DOES have caffeine, and you might be inclined to think that’s what raises the rate of metabolism, and gives more energy. However, a study was done where the same amount of caffeine as is found in Green Tea was introduced to the body. The result was that the heart rate increased, but the metabolism did not; caffeine alone had a different effect. In fact, studies have shown that Green Tea Extract raises the metabolism, but NOT the heart rate, which makes it safer than some other herbal weight loss supplements.

Here is an expanded list of benefits for Green Tea Extract:

• Philippines Medical Study showed positive results in its ability to treat acne

• It stimulates the immune system and even fights dental plaque.

• It contains ECGC, a powerful type of anti-oxidant approximately 200 times more potent than Vitamin E

• Has been shown to fight cancer, and even protect against liver damage