Defy Age Naturally

I love drinking herbal teas. I drink them all day long, especially in winter. It’s like having a little heater with you all of the time. I enjoy drinking out of a big tea cup, a regular sized mug is just never enough.

One of my favorite types of tea is green tea. It’s a natural antioxidant supplement, but far more fun to take than a pill. It is in fact one of the world’s most powerful super foods.

Perhaps one thing that gives the Japanese their relative good health and longevity is green tea. Research has linked an increased consumption of this oriental infusion with a reduced risk of conditions such as cancer and heart disease. This lovely cuppa will not only keep you cozy this winter, but may increase your health as well.

A Strong Antioxidant

Researchers have linked green tea’s disease fighting properties with polyphenols. These strong antioxidants have the power to defend against free radicals, environmental chemicals, and other toxins that can cause ill health.

Furthermore, research suggests that the most potent weapon against disease that green tea contains is a compound known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been found to actually deactivate cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).

That is what makes green tea one of the most powerful optimum health promoting and natural antioxidant supplements we can take.

Many Benefits for Health

Green tea has been linked with a reduced risk of cancer in both men and women. In one study published in 2004, women consuming green tea everyday were found to have a 47 per cent reduced risk of breast cancer compared to those consuming none at all. In another study published the same year, researchers found that men taking green tea each day had about a quarter of the risk of prostate cancer compared to those who took no green tea. Other research has found that increased green tea consumption appears to protect against other forms of cancer too, including those of the stomach, colon, lung and skin.

The benefits of green tea seem to extend the circulatory system too. Research has found that individuals who consume green tea tend to have lower blood levels of cholesterol. Studies have also shown that drinking it can lower blood pressure naturally. The heath benefits of green tea go at least some way to explaining research which links green tea consumption with a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.

You can also add it to your list of alkaline foods.

Switch to Green Tea to Lose Weight

Green tea boosts your metabolism without any negative side effects such as speeding up your heart rate or causing rapid blood sugar rushes. This means that your body burns more calories in a safe and effective way. Green tea has also been shown to help oxidize the fat that’s stored in your body.

According to Dr Perricone, one of the top anti aging specialists in the world, swapping coffee for green tea will help you lose 10 pounds without doing anything else! (Feel free to try this out and give me feedback!)

Why Green?

All tea, including green, black and oolong come from the same plant. However, green tea, unlike the others is unfermented so the active health giving ingredients remain unaltered. The other teas, which go through a fermentation process, still contain some of the healthy properties, but appear to be more muted.

Why Drink Green Tea?

Green tea is more than a natural antioxidant supplement and disease fighting pill. It is truly one of the best stress relievers around, and a drinking it is a fabulous way to relax and warm up. The fact that it contains a healthy form of caffeine means that we get a little pick me up when we drink it.

I have my cup right here beside me (big of course), and I am off to put the kettle on as we speak (honestly).

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• A List of Alkaline Foods for Optimum Health

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This entry was posted on Thursday, February 21st, 2008 at 11:32 pm and is filed under aging environmental toxins, diet, list of alkaline foods, science of aging.

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