Green tea reduces functional disability risk + Green Tea: the Marvelous Drink

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Green tea may reduce functional disability risk: Study

_http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Green-tea-may-reduce-functiona

l-disability-risk-Study_

(http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Green-tea-may-reduce-functional-di\

sability-risk-Study)

Consuming at least five cups of green tea per day may reduce the risk of

functional disabilities like osteoporosis and stroke, suggests new data from

Japan.

-----------------------------------

Green Tea: the Marvelous Drink

_http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml)

Currently, tea in the form of green or black tea, next to water, is the

most widely consumed beverage in the world. According to Chinese legends, tea

was discovered by the Emperor Shen Nong in about 2700 BC, when a gust of

wind blew tea leaves into a kettle of boiling water.

Teas contain polyphenols which act as antioxidants and exhibit numerous

biochemical activities. Tea polyphenols consist mostly of catechins, the most

powerful of which is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is found only

in green tea. Since ancient times green tea has been considered a

health-promoting beverage and currently researchers find more convincing proof

of its

healing qualities.

Based on the growing range of studies that research health properties of

green tea, I made this article about clear benefits you can get with regular

drinking.

1 Longevity

Green tea may protect against death from all causes, especially

cardiovascular disease. Japanese scientists_[1]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref1#ref1) analyzed data from a

National Cohort Study that

began in 1994 and had over 40,000 participants, age 40 to 79, who initially

were free of stroke, heart disease and cancer. People were followed for up to

11 years.

Compared with participants who consumed less than 1 cup of green tea per

day, those drinking 5 or more cups a day had a significantly lower risk of

death from all causes, especially lower risk of dying from cardiovascular

disease and stroke. The findings might explain in part the reason why the

Japanese live longer than people in any other country. However, there was no

cancer prevention benefit of green tea.

2 Memory and learning

One of the important health benefits of regular green tea drinking is

improved memory and learning ability. In Japan there was revealed_[2]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref2#ref2) that high green tea

drinking maintains cognitive function. Also, green tea consumption may enhance

learning and memory ability_[3]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref3#ref3) .

The main components of green tea that are thought to work on improving

brain function are polyphenols, epigalochatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a very

strong antioxidant. The high use of oxygen during the metabolic processes leads

to the generation of a large number of free radicals (highly reactive

molecules). EGCG can penetrate the brain's blood barrier and is able to enact

its antioxidative affects on the free radicals that cause damage in the

brain.

3 Weight control

There is strong evidence that green tea has fat-burning properties and

promotes weight loss, especially when combined with increased physical

activity and a healthy diet. Green tea polyphenols are known to increase the

metabolism of fats by the liver (thermogenic effect), inhibit lipase (fat

absorption enzyme) in the digestive tract, and provide a feeling of satiety and

fullness_[4]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref4#ref4) .

Green tea can reduce body weight in obese persons by increasing energy

expenditure and fat oxidation_[5]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref5#ref5) .

Continuous ingestion of a green tea extract high in catechins promotes

reduction in body fat, systolic blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol, that in

its turn contributes to a decrease in obesity and cardiovascular disease

risks.

4 Skin protection from Ultraviolet

Green tea polyphenols protect the skin from the damage caused by

ultraviolet radiation such as UV-induced sunburn, UV-induced immunosuppression

and

photoaging of the skin. They exert photoprotection by various cellular,

molecular and biochemical mechanisms_[6]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref6#ref6) . Also, green tea

polyphenols protect the skin by

improving the elastic tissues_[7]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref7#ref7) .

5 Lowering cholesterol

Green tea lowers total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels and improves

the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol. People who drink green tea daily have

lower cholesterol levels than those who do not drink it _[8]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref8#ref8) .

It is believed that one of the underlying mechanisms by which green tea

lowers blood cholesterol levels is by reducing lipids absorption in the

digestive tract and promoting their excretion from the body_[9]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref9#ref9) .

6 Diabetes and blood glucose levels

Green tea has been traditionally used to control blood sugar. Recent

evidence also suggests it may help regulate the blood sugar and reduce the risk

for type 2 diabetes. People who drink more than 6 cups per day are less

likely to develop diabetes than those who drink less than 1 cup per week_[10]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref10#ref10) . Green tea

antidiabetic properties may be partly explained by its caffeine content.

Japanese researchers_[11]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref11#ref11) demonstrated that

daily intake of green tea extract lowered

the hemoglobin A1c level in people with borderline diabetes, that indicates

the increased body's ability to utilize blood sugar. Hemoglobin A1c is a

test that measures the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin molecules in red

blood cells. These molecules attach to glucose and so people have more of them

if they have more glucose in the blood.

7 Heart protection: Asian paradox

Green tea may protect against heart disease. Green tea might explain the

" Asian paradox " - when people living in Asian countries smoke cigarettes

heavily, but have relatively low incidence of heart disease. The Japanese

confirm_[12]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref12#ref12) that

the more green tea people drink, the less likely they are to have coronary

artery disease. Underlying mechanisms for this include vasculoprotective,

antioxidative, antithrombogenic, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering

properties of tea flavonoids.

Green tea can promote cardioprotection and reduce heart muscle cells death

after a heart attack (myocardial infarction)_[13]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref13#ref13) . The primary

catechin in tea, EGCG,

prevents heart muscle damage by blocking the activation of

inflammation-related compounds that promote the oxidative damage that kills

heart cells in

heart attack. EGCG also appears to speed up the recovery of heart cells.

8 Anti-hypertensive

Green tea lowers blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension. Tea

increases body's production of nitric oxide, which dilates arteries and thereby

reduces blood pressure_[14]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref14#ref14) . Among persons

consuming tea regularly for at least one year,

the risk of developing high blood pressure was 46% lower among those who

drank 1/2 cup to 2 1/2 cups per day, and 65% less among those consuming more

than 2 1/2 cups per day_[15]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref15#ref15) .

9 Stroke

Green tea shows promise in the prevention of stroke_[1_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref1#ref1) , _16]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref16#ref16) . Furthermore, the

green tea polyphenols,

particularly EGCG, have been shown to protect brain cells from destructive

processes following stroke_[17]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref17#ref17) .

10 Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases

Green tea may reduce the risk of degenerative disorders of the central

nervous system, such as cognitive decline, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

diseases. Green tea catechin polyphenols produce several neuroprotective (i.e.

lessening the damage to brain cells) activities like iron chelation,

scavenging of radicals, activation of survival genes and cell signaling

pathways,

and inhibitory action on Abeta fibrils/oligomers formation_[18_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref18#ref18) , _20]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref20#ref20) .

Japan scientists have discovered that people who consumed more than 2 cups

of green tea a day had a 50% lower chance of having cognitive impairment,

than those who drank fewer than 2 cups a day, or who consumed other tested

beverages_[19]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref19#ref19)

..

11 Atherosclerosis

Regular green tea drinking may be beneficial for the prevention of

atherosclerosis, when the plaque builds up on the insides of the arteries

_[21]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref21#ref21) . Green tea has

been shown to effectively lower the risk of atherosclerosis by lowering LDL

cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxides (free radicals that damage LDL

cholesterol and other lipids) and fibrinogen (a protein in the blood

involved in the formation of blood clots). Green tea is a powerful antioxidant

and protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation_[22]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref22#ref22) . Oxidized

cholesterol gets sticky and

tends to cling to the walls of he arteries, leading to the development of

atherosclerosis.

12 Anticlotting effect

Green tea also appears to prevent the formation of blood clots

(thrombosis). Green tea catechins produce potent antithrombotic effect by

inhibition

of platelet aggregation (blood clot formation)_[23]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref23#ref23) .

13 Increased exercise endurance

Animal studies indicate that green tea increases exercise endurance. Green

tea catechins increase metabolic capacity and utilization of fatty acid as

a source of energy in muscles during exercise_[24]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref24#ref24) .

14 Smoking

Regular green tea drinking may protect smokers from oxidative damages and

reduce cancer risk or other diseases caused by free radicals associated

with smoking_[25]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref25#ref25)

.. Green tea may prevent future cardiovascular disorders in chronic

smokers_[26]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref26#ref26) .

15 Bones

Green tea may prevent osteoporosis and bone loss. Researchers at the

University of Tokyo_[27]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/

tips/greentea.shtml#ref27#ref27) have shown that green tea may increase bone

mineral density.

Australian researchers_[28]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref28#ref28) report that bone

mineral density is 2.8% greater in tea drinkers than

non-drinkers. Over the 4 years period, tea drinkers lost an average of two

times less of their total hip bone mineral density, than non-tea drinkers.

16 Tooth decay (dental caries)

Green tea prevents tooth decay. It kills the bacteria that cause dental

plaques and halitosis (bad breath) and increases the acid resistance of tooth

enamel _[29]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref29#ref29) .

17 Arthritis

Green tea may help people with arthritis by reducing inflammation and

slowing cartilage breakdown_[30]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref30#ref30) .

18 Antimicrobal activity

Green tea catechins have anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal

activities_[31]_ (http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref31#ref31) .

These include some types of salmonella, influenza and herpes simplex. Its

bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning. A component of

green tea may be useful in treating severe sepsis, an abnormal immune system

response to bacteria_[32]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref32#ref32) .

19 Liver protection

Green tea appears to support healthy liver and protect it from the damage

by toxic substances such as alcohol. Men who drink more than 10 cups of

green tea per day are less likely to develop disorders of the liver_[33]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref33#ref33) .

20 Gastrointestinal tract

In the gastrointestinal tract, green tea was found to activate

intracellular antioxidants and reduce inflammation. Drinking more than 10 cups

per day

may prevent chronic atrophic gastritis_[34]_

(http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/greentea.shtml#ref34#ref34) . Also, it may help

reduce inflammation

associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

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