More Green Tea Benefits
On this website, we have mentioned some of the wonderful benefits of green tea, such as its role in weight loss (particularly abdominal fat); reducing blood pressure and cholesterol; and protection against breast and prostate cancer. Now, there are more benefits to add to the list.
Lowering Stroke Risk
New research from UCLA reports that drinking three or more cups of green or black tea a day may reduce the risk of stroke by 21%. And, the more you drink, the greater the cuts in stroke risk. "What we saw was that there was a consistency of effect of appreciable magnitude," said lead author Lenore Arab.
While both teas were used, green tea is said to contain over four times the concentration of antioxidant catechins than black tea (green tea leaves that have been oxidized by fermentation).
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Protecting Gums
Consuming green tea may offer protection against gum disease, a condition that may affect up to 80% of the population, according to a new study. Men who regularly drank green tea had superior periodontal health (based on three clinical indicators) than their peers who drank less green tea.
Researchers suggest that the antioxidant catechins may be responsible for the protective effects. Previous research has indicated that the green tea has anti-inflammatory effects, and gum disease has been linked to an inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria in the mouth. Periodontal disease has also been linked to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke and difficulty controlling blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Additional Potential Against Prostate Cancer
Consuming green tea may reduce levels of compounds that are linked to prostate cancer progression. In a small study of men with prostate cancer. those who drank the equivalent of 12 cups of green tea showed a significant reduction (up to 30%) in blood levels of HGF, VEGF and PSA, all markers that predict the progression of prostate cancer.
Promise Against Alzheimer's
Senior citizens that drink green tea have demonstrated increased mental abilities. In addition, green tea catechins may help prevent the loss of reference and working memory that is linked to plaque formation in the brain. An animal study found that green tea's antioxidants could counteract the oxidative stress brought on by a build-up of beta-amyloid protein.
The build-up of plaque from beta-amyloid deposits is associated with an increase in brain cell damage and death from oxidative stress, which can lead to a loss of cognitive function and an increased risk of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and currently affects over 13 million people worldwide.
More on Green Tea
• Fresh brewed green tea from tea bags or loose leaf tea has more catechins than the bottled kind in grocery stores.
• Combine green tea and lemon for an even more powerful punch. Adding citrus juice to the antioxidant-rich tea led to a fourfold increase in disease-fighting catechins. Lemon juice is most effective, but orange and lime also work.
• Taking green tea extract is a very effective and convenient way to obtain the beneficial catechins on a daily basis. Green tea extract is one of the specialized nutrients in the Super Antioxidants Complex in our Basic Nutrient Support, and can also be found in Cardiovascular Support, Liver Support and the Weight Management Program.
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