Home > $0 To $9.99
We Have Found 1 Products for your search of $0 To $9.99.
Displaying Items 1 - 1:
What is Green Tea?
by Pawel Reszka
Green tea is a type of tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves. Its brewing process involves minimum oxidation of the tea leaves, making it unique among other tea varieties. There are a lot of different kinds and varieties of it not only in China, but also in countries around Asia and the Middle East.
Its popularity has continued to increase even in Western countries, as people become more conscious of their health. Many believe that it has health benefits and even the ability to cure some illnesses, gaining the reputation as an essential part of a healthy diet. However, as with any other herb-containing food, precautions should be taken before it is consumed.
Where did green tea originate?
It originated in China 4,000 years ago. In the years that followed and until now, it has been used to provide health benefits and is even believed to cure various illnesses. In some Asian countries such as Japan, Thailand and India, it has been used as traditional medicine and is considered to be part of local cultures.
What are the different kinds?
There are different kinds, each differing in flavor and supposed health advantages. In China, Zhejiang province is considered to be the home of Xi Hu Longjing, the most popular kind. Other provinces in China that produce different blends of green tea are Jiangsu, Henan, Jiangxi, Hubei and Anhui provinces.
Japanese tea, on the other hand, is simply pertained to as "tea" since it is widely popular in the country. Brought from China by Japanese Buddhist priest Myoan Eisai, Japanese green tea is evaluated based on the plant parts and their quality used, as well as according to the process through which it underwent.
How is it made?
The quality depends on the length of time and heating temperature it undergoes. High quality tea is brewed at temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees Celsius while low quality is brewed at 80 to 90 degrees Celsius. The temperature at which it is brewed also affects how many times it can be steeped and how it tastes. Since low quality green tea is brewed at high temperature, it usually tastes bitter and has an overcooked taste.
What are the benefits of drinking green tea?
Studies involving green tea and its health benefits have shown significant findings that provide hard evidence that it indeed is one of the most effective ways to live a healthy life. It contains a large amount of epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, an effective antioxidant that is linked to various health-promoting benefits.
Over the last decades, studies and researches have found that regular drinkers have lower risk of developing heart disease and certain types of cancer. Another study conducted in 2005 shows that it may lessen the pain caused by arthritis. Still another research found that green tea extracts combined with hot water helps when applied to damaged skin caused by radiation.
It is also said that green tea can prevent tooth decay, as its ingredients have the ability to kill bacteria. In the same way, its bacteria-killing properties are believed to be able to counter the effects of food poisoning. Among the most popular advantages of drinking green tea is that it promotes weight loss by boosting metabolism.
Other health advantages include regulating body temperature, maintaining blood sugar levels, improving mental processes, preventing certain types of cancer and liver diseases, and promoting digestion.
Is it always safe to drink it?
Since it contains one-third caffeine, excessive intake may cause palpitation, heart burn and insomnia. It is important to regulate its intake, especially if the drinker also consumes coffee regularly.
The natural herbs in it may also trigger negative effects on one's health. A person under medication or taking other food supplements should consume green tea with care. It is recommended to consult a physician before starting a regular and frequent consumption.
People with illnesses such as kidney failures, heart problems, ulcer and psychological conditions, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers are discouraged to drink green tea.
About the Author
Can green tea help you lose weight? Check out our weight loss blog for more information.
| 
