Green tea basics

Everything you ever wanted to know about the health benefits of green tea! Green tea is a super healthy drink packed with antioxidants. Read below to find out the facts of this wonderful plant!

• Tea is from a plant called

Camellia sinensis

Tea plants produce several types of tea

• White tea: new growth buds and leaves
• Green tea: unfermented
• Oolong: partially fermented
• Black: fermented

Fermented: Exposure to air during the drying process

• Nothing added during this process
• Green tea and white tea is not fermented and retains more antioxidants
• Antioxidants: active chemicals in plants that fight toxins that cause harm to the human body

Health benefits

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Diabetes
• Exercise enhancement
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Skin disorders
• Weight loss
• Iron overload
• Viral infections
• Neurological decline

 How green tea works

• Opens up blood vessels to reduce blood clots, heart attack and stroke
• Slows growth of cancer cells
• Lowers lipids in the blood
• Fights viral infections
• Boosts the immune system
• Helps control blood sugar
• Increases calorie burning

How much green tea?

• Most research has indicated that green tea should be consumed daily
• 3-6 cups daily most beneficial but best results are seen with 5 or more cups daily
• Green tea extracts in pill form can be taken

How will you start adding green tea to your diet? Here is one of my favorite brands to get you started! Click Here!

Caution! Things to know

• Caffeine content of green tea can range from 25- 50 mg. per cup
• Caffeine sensitive can try decaffeinated
• Medication interaction with Warfarin- due to vitamin K content
• Tannins in tea bind to iron which can be problematic for those with iron deficiencies
• Ask your doctor before use!

• Sinija VR, Mishra HN. Green Tea Health Benefits. Journal of Nutrition and Environmental Medicine. 2008; 17(4): 232-242.
• Barclay L, MD. New Research on the Health Benefits of Green Tea. Life Extension. April 2008: 75-83