Tea is a beverage that is enjoyed the world over. Approximately 5,000 years ago, the Chinese began to use tea as a medicinal beverage to promote mind and body health. While the pop health craze of today lauds the many health benefits of tea (particularly green tea), the beverage has been an integral part of Chinese culture for thousands of years.
The earliest recorded reference to the use of green tea as a health aid goes back to 2737 B.C. But it wasn’t until the reign of the Ming dynasty in 1368 A.D. (after the fall of the Mongolian empire) that tea drinking spread from the elite to the populace. It was at that point that interesting stories of the health benefits of green tea emerged. For example, Chinese sailors would drink green tea for the vitamin C which prevented scurvy, a disease which killed numerous European sailors more than 100 years later.
Green tea is unique among teas. While other teas including black and oolong are oxidized during processing, green tea is made from fresh, non-oxidized tea leaves. This gives green tea a fresh, unique taste and aroma in addition to its telltale color. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of green tea is the many health benefits associated with drinking the beverage on a daily basis.
Green Tea and Weight Loss
Some health experts laud green tea as a weight loss product. The popular health guru, Dr. Nicholas Perricone, claimed that people can lose 10 pounds in six weeks by drinking green tea rather than their daily latte. Is Perricone correct? Historically speaking, the production of oolong and black teas began in southern China circa 1650 A.D. in reaction to hungry laborers who recognized that green tea depleted the body fat reserves badly needed for survival during that time of social upheaval. Thus, while still officially unproven, green tea with its fat-burning catechins may indeed aid weight loss. Other research has shown that drinking five cups of green tea per day burns up to 80 calories.
Green Tea and Cancer
Some health experts believe the antioxidant properties of green tea can help battle against or even prevent certain types of cancer. Green tea accomplishes this by destroying free radicals that occur during oxidization.
Green Tea and Heart Health
Like the Mediterranean staple, olive oil, green tea is recognized for reducing levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and raising beneficial HDL cholesterol. Also, green tea contains heart-healthy polyphenols.
Green Tea and Neurological Disorders
Some health experts believe green tea has the ability to actually stop some neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Thus, it promotes cognition as well.
Green Tea and Caffeine Intake
Green tea contains about one-third less caffeine than coffee, and thus is suitable for people who must restrict their caffeine intake.
Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that there is no credible evidence to support the health claims associated with green tea, many scientists and health experts continue to tout its numerous benefits. Indeed, in comparison to other tea types, green tea stands out not simply in health benefits but also in flavor, freshness, and lower caffeine.
