GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Green tea, unlike black and oolong tea, is not
fermented; therefore, the active ingredients remain unaltered in the herb.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
Green tea also contains
numerous cancerfighting polyphenol compounds,
including the antioxidant fiavonoid
catechin, and studies indicate that green tea may help
protect against cancers of the lungs,
skin, liver, pancreas, and stomach. A Japanese study published in 2001, revealed that
Green tea induced the death of lymphoma cells by
apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Other research supports the theory that compounds in green
tea protect against cancer by triggering a series of
reactions that causes cancer cells to self-destruct. Green
tea is also thought to boost cardiovascular health
by lowering cholesterol levels and
reducing the tendency of blood platelets to stick
together. It may work as a
weight-loss agent by increasing fat metabolism and
regulating blood sugar and insulin
levels. The evidence for green tea’s potent antioxidant
effects continues to accumulate. In a recent study, researchers found that green tea
compounds not only directly scavenge free radicals but also
enhance the effectiveness of the body’s natural antioxidant
systems. Research conducted at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) revealed that two
chemicals found in green tea called gallotannin and
nobotanin B may help to prevent the brain damage that occurs
after strokes and other brain injuries. Results of
their study showed that the two chemicals prevent brain cell death by inhibiting the action of
the enzyme PARG (Poly-ADP- Ribose Glycohydrolase), which is
thought to play a key role in the destruction of brain cells
that occurs after a stroke. More recent research
suggests that antioxidants present in green tea may slow down the muscle wasting seen that occurs
in muscular dystrophy. The study of mice with a Duchenne
muscular dystrophy-like disease revealed that daily doses of
green tea extract appeared to slow down deterioration of some muscle tissue, possibly by
combating oxidative stress in the muscle. Green tea
polyphenols are also known to stimulate the production of
several immune system cells, as well as possessing
antibacterial properties.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
You can buy encapsulated extracts standardized
for chemicals called polyphenols. An average dose is 200mg of an extract standardized for
25% polyphenols. You can also buy the dried herb and make
tea; which is available in various grades, from twiggy,
inexpensive kikich to choice sencha. For maximum benefit, drink up to four or five cups of
green tea per day.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
The most worrisome chemical in green tea is
caffeine, which occurs in small amounts (an average of 20 to 30mg per cup, if brewed for two to
three minutes). This is much less caffeine than in coffee,
however; an 8-ounce cup of coffee typically contains more
than 100mg of caffeine. Unless caffeine has been
added, the caffeine content in green tea capsules
should be approximately 5 to 15mg. Breastfeeding women are advised to avoid drinking
green tea and take supplements instead, as caffeine may have
unwanted effects on babies sleep patterns!
