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" Misty L. Trepke "

Wed, 15 Oct 2003 16:35:51 -0000

[s-A] Amazing Power of Tea on Body and Mind

 

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Misty L. Trepke

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Drink tea and see

The Amazing Power of Tea on Body and Mind

 

Lester A. Mitscher, PhD

University of Kansas

reprinted from Bottom Line/Personal, December 1, 2002

URL:

http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/blpnet/article.html?article_id=33768

 

You know that green tea is good for you. But did you know that green

and black teas help ward off many types of cancer, fight heart

disease and colds, even prevent cavities?

 

A Chinese emperor first touted the health benefits of green tea more

than 4,000 years ago. Here's what the latest scientific research

shows...

 

WHY TEA HELPS

 

Green and black teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia

sinensis plant. The leaves contain catechins, antioxidants that

block the action of free radicals (harmful molecules).

 

The most powerful catechin is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). A

study conducted at the University of Shizuoka in Japan showed that

the antioxidant power of EGCG in green tea was 200 times stronger

than that of vitamin E, another antioxidant.

 

Green tea is made from fresh, young leaves, which are steamed right

away to preserve catechins and then dried. Black tea contains about

half the catechins as green tea because it undergoes more processing

before the leaves are dried.

 

SPECIFIC BENEFITS

 

The health benefits of catechins in tea include...

 

Reducing risk of certain types of cancer, including cancers of the

lung, breast and digestive tract. In a University of Minnesota study

of more than 35,000 women over eight years, those who drank two or

more cups of green or black tea daily had a 10% lower risk of

developing any cancer than those who seldom drank tea.

 

Reducing heart disease by blocking the formation of plaque in the

coronary arteries. A four-year study conducted at Harvard Medical

School showed that participants who drank 14 cups or more of green

or black tea weekly had a 44% lower death rate after a heart attack

than people who didn't drink tea.

 

Fewer colds and other illnesses. Tea keeps free radicals from

undermining the immune system. In a 2002 report, researchers at

Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University in Japan confirmed

reports that catechins in green tea extract inhibit the growth of

the influenza virus. Scientists at SUNY Health Science Center,

University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, reviewed the literature

and concluded that green tea enhances immunity.

 

Building bone density. One study of more than 1,000 participants

showed that drinking two or more cups of tea a day for at least six

years strengthened bone density.

 

Preventing cavities by blocking growth of Streptococcus mutans,

bacterium associated with dental plaque.

 

Aiding digestion by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria in

the intestines.

 

HOW MUCH TEA?

 

Aim for four cups of green tea or six cups of black tea daily.

Expensive teas may taste better, but they don't necessarily provide

more health benefits.

 

Brew tea for three minutes to ensure the release of antioxidants.

Longer steeping only produces more tannins, which taste bitter.

 

Iced tea yields the same benefits, but antioxidants degrade with

time, so drink the tea soon after brewing.

 

Tea contains less caffeine than coffee -- up to 30 mg per cup of

green tea... up to 90 mg for black, versus 160 mg for brewed coffee.

People who are sensitive to caffeine may prefer decaffeinated tea.

The process that removes caffeine from tea does not interfere with

its health benefits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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