Green is gold

CEBU, Philippines - Green tea, that is. And it’s true. There is a whole treasure trove of health benefits in this little green leaf.

Ancient Chinese people knew the benefits of green tea for health. They have always used it for medical purposes. In Ancient China, it was used especially against headaches and depression.

What’s in a tea leaf

Fresh-cut tea leaves consist of 75 to 80 percent water. A variety of green tea flavors are formed through the combination of three main components which are responsible for its taste: Catechin for bitterness and astringency; Caffeine for bitterness; Theanine and Amino Acids for its flavor and sweetness. The green tea leaf also contain Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, trace minerals, pectin and saccharides.

Catechin is a tannin peculiar to green tea because the black tea fermentation process reduces catechins in black tea. Catechin is a powerful, water soluable polyphenol and antioxidant that is easily oxidized. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful of these catechins. EGCG as an antioxidant is about 25 to 100 times more potent than vitamins C and E.

Because green tea leaves are young and have not been oxidized, green tea has up to a 40 percent polyphenols content, while black tea contains only about 10 percent. One cup of green tea provides 10-40 mg of polyphenols and has antioxidant effects greater than a serving of broccoli, spinach, carrots, or strawberries.

Do you know that green tea can ward off diseases? The catechin in green tea prevents viruses from adhering and causing harm. Catechin reacts with toxins created by harmful bacteria (many of which belong to the protein family) and harmful metals such as lead, mercury, chrome, and cadmium.

Caffeine. A cup of green tea contains about 15 to 30 mg of caffeine, a stimulant affecting the central nervous system. It is an important quality in green tea providing some of its astringency.

If you have a hangover, try drinking green tea. Japanese people have been drinking green tea for centuries to soothe hangovers. This is because the caffeine in green tea encourages metabolization of alcohol. Caffeine is considered a good remedy for hangovers because caffeine blocks absorption of alcohol and enhances its metabolization. It has a diuretic effect (you urinate more), which encourages detoxification and the discharge of toxins from the body.

Green tea only has one-third the caffeine of black tea but it’s been shown to yield the same level of energy and attentiveness. Just don’t drink milk with it. Making your tea English just won’t do since the casein in milk has been shown to inhibit the beneficial effects of tea.

Theanine sedates and relaxes by suppressing the stimulant function of caffeine. Theanine also helps to protect nerve cells in the brain, lengthening the life of these cells. It is linked to increased alpha brain wave production and is considered a natural antidepressant and stress reliever. Japanese studies link consumption of L-theanine with strengthening the immune system.

Drink to shrink the waist

Here’s a tip for the gym bunnies: Throw your energy drinks into the trash bin. Green tea packs a more powerful punch in losing those unwanted pounds. Research shows that sipping several cups of green tea daily can do wonders for the waist.

In a study, overweight adults who engaged in an exercise program for 12 weeks lost more belly fat if they also drank green tea daily. The green tea seemed to boost overall weight loss in the study group, too. Researchers think that catechins in green tea might blast tummy fat by acting on enzymes that influence the body’s calorie - and fat - burning mechanisms. And catechins and caffeine together may boost the body’s metabolism.

The amount of green tea needed for the effect? Enough to get about 625 milligrams of catechins plus a little caffeine every day, roughly seven cups daily. So ditch your energy drinks and fill your thermal mugs with the bitter fat-busting brew.

Green knees

Green tea drinkers have youthful knees. Potent compounds in green tea — EGCG and ECG — have been shown to help battle cartilage and collagen destruction in arthritic joints.

The EGCG and ECG found in green tea helps fight inflammation, as well as some of the underlying mechanisms at work in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Of course, drinking a few cups of green tea each day is no guarantee against knee pain, so if you have them, it’s still best to consult your doctor.

Hearty drink

Here’s to your heart. If those previous healthy benefits aren’t enough, here’s a kicker for your ticker. Studies have also shown that the polyphenols in green tea destroy free radicals and improve artery function.. Drinking about half a liter a day can cut the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease by 26 percent. And the more green tea people drank, the more protection they got. Although both men and women were shielded, the benefits were more pronounced in women. Yey, snaps for women!

Not just in the crystal ball

Wondering what the future holds? Professor Trelawney taught Harry Potter and the students of Hogwarts how to read tea leaves. Well, tea leaves at the bottom of your cup really can reveal your future, and they are more dependable than some wispy fortune-tellers.

Drain several cups of green tea until you see the tea leaves settle at the bottom. If you do that everyday, you’d be sure to have a long bright future ahead. No need to consult your crystal ball. All signs point to long-term benefits for your ticker. Research shows that just two 8-ounce servings a day of polyphenol-rich green tea can dramatically reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and can cut the risk of stroke in women as well.

If you don’t fancy the bitter brew that much, don’t despair. Drinking at least half a cup (4 ounces) a day was still linked to some reduction in mortality risk.

So grab a teacup and point that little pinkie. Here’s to a healthy future. Cheers!