Green tea has several natural characteristics and the leaves are usually not subjected to the roasting and fermentation processes as usually done with other teas. It was utilized by the Chinese Emperor Shen Yong dating back to 2723 BC as a tonic. Green tea is different from the regular black tea as the leaves are not fermented and roasted. The leaves are simply harvested, dried and processed.
Depending on the areas the leaves are grown in, green tea would possess special characteristics. The leaves that are used to make the green tea have characteristics depending on the area of cultivation and the techniques utilized to process it.The green tea quality also depends on the type of water utilized to cook the tea leaves. The best water that can be utilized to make green tea is natural spring water, as tap water makes the tea leaves turn brown in color. Usually a lower temperature should be utilized to prepare green tea compared to other teas. The tea leaves should be stored in an airtight container, away from sunlight.
Chinese green tea has a traditional flavor, smell and color. Green tea is extracted from the tea plant (scientifically known as Camellia sinensis).This plant tends to be evergreen and has white flowers. One of the best known characteristics of green tea is that it is able to act as a powerful antioxidant in the body. It can also fight diseases and boost the defence mechanism of the body (immune system). The first nations to grow green tea were China and India.
The use of green tea initially existed only in China and a few neighboring countries such as Japan, Thailand, etc, soon began using it. Slowly it spread to several other nations throughout the world, as people began to realize its potential benefits.For an individual who does not have much knowledge of tea, there are three broad varieties of the drink including oolong tea, black tea and green tea. Green tea is basically unfermented leaves, oolong tea is partially fermented leaves, and black tea is fully fermented leaves.
The color that they derive is due to processing in the factory. The concentration of several vital substances including polyphenols (potent antioxidants) is relatively higher in green tea compared to others. Green tea is extensively utilized in research studies in humans and animals to identify its beneficial properties (Green Tea Store, 2007, & University of Maryland Medical Center, 2008).HistoryThe use of tea dates back to 500, 000 years ago, when people inserted tea leaves in boiling hot water so that the flavors and substances could leach out and satisfy the user. Tea was initially discovered in China.
Once tea was discovered, they began to develop and cultivate tea crops across the area to meet demand. It was now a staple drink of China and had a curative and symbolic role. Most of the teas had royal origin in China. The Chinese also consider that the God of agriculture would chew on various leaves belonging to several plants and herbs in order to produce medicinal properties.
Several cultures in China consider give their own versions of discover of tea.The Buddhists believe that tea was discovered by a Buddha and some Chinese groups consider tea to be discovered by another Chinese emperor some 5000 years ago. The legend goes that when the emperor was traveling, he found certain leaves had fallen into his cup of boiling water, which made it turn light-brown in color and provided a wonderful odor. The Emperor was curious enough to sip on the water. He found the flavor excellent and considered consuming it regularly.
Slowly scholars and learned men across the country began to study the medicinal properties of tea. People soon consumed tea for its medicinal properties but also for its rich aroma and flavor.Contracts between landlords and labor groups began to be developed in order to cultivate and pick tea. Another version goes on to say that Green tea was discovered in China by the emperor Shen Long in 2723 BC. He was very interested in finding various medicines and often poisoned himself. Once he found tea, he utilized it to help drain the toxins from his body.
It was slowly being utilized in Chinese medicine. The Chinese often drank Green tea from a ceramic bowl during the traditional tea ceremony. This ceremony was learned by the Japanese travellers.Slowly the traditional Song tea ceremony became extinct in China and now became the part of the Japanese culture. The Chinese discovered several methods of processing the tea leaves. They steamed the tea leaves and later compressed them to obtain it for use.
Donations in the form of processed tea were given as a tribute to the Song court. During the Middle Age in China, various forms of tea leaves were cultured and various methods were utilized to process them (Green tea lovers, 2007).Benefits of green teaGreen tea has various characteristics properties including:-• Diuretic property (able to increase the output from the kidney)• astringent (able to control bleeding and encourage healing)• Improve the functioning of the heart• able to relieve flatulence• able to control the body temperature• able to control the blood sugar levels – potentially could be utilized in the management of diabetes mellitus• helps in the digestive process• helps improve mental functioning• helps to prevent atherosclerosis and reduce the chances of developing coronary artery disease• helps to lower the HDL cholesterol levels and lower the overall cholesterol levels in the body• helps to protect against certain types of cancers (especially bladder cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancers, colorectal cancers, lung cancers, esophageal cancers, stomach cancers, etc)• helps to reduce liver disease and protects from harmful substances such as alcohol• helps to increase the metabolism and lose body fats• helps to increase the immune function and fight diseaseStudies conducted on green tea demonstrate that it has antioxidant properties and is able to prevent thickening of blood vessels (atherosclerosis). It is especially useful in preventing coronary artery diseases such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) and angina (Chest pain).
However the US FDA has failed to approve that tea significantly helps reduce the chances of developing heart disease as research study prove that it is useful the extent that it is useful may not be consistent in value. The epigallocatechin gallate content is green tea is relatively higher compared to other teas, as the processes utilized for other teas may destroy epigallocatechin gallate.Another study goes on to show that green tea is effective against myocardial infarction, but no so effective against angina due to the potent anti-inflammatory action of green tea. Tea leaves significantly helps lower the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, and reduce the overall levels of cholesterol (including HDL, VLDL & LDL).
One mechanism by which this is possible is due to presence of polyphenols which block intestinal absorption of cholesterol and encourage it being excreted from the body. Smokers have a risk of higher LDL levels and green tea can help to some extent lower LDL level in the body. Green tea can potentially lower sugar levels in the body and can be of immense benefits for diabetics (especially Type 1 diabetes).The mechanism by which this works is not understood clearly.
Some researchers suggest that it helps to regulate the release of insulin and modify the manner in which blood sugar is consumed by the body. Several inflammatory intestinal diseases such as IBD, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can be prevented with green tea. Green tea can also prevent colon cancers to a certain extent. Green tea can act as an anticoagulant helping to prevent unnecessary clotting of the blood vessels (thrombosis formation). This greatly helps prevent clot formation. Green tea also helps to lower the angiotension 2 levels and in the process lower the blood pressure.
Several toxins such as those derived from alcohol consumption and smoking can be removed from the body by consuming green tea.Green tea has a positive effect on oral health. It helps to lower the plaque formation in the oral cavity and reduces the bacterial count. It also has antiviral properties, helping individuals to recover from common cold and flu faster. Several types of bacteria that are not good for the gastrointestinal system are removed by green tea.
Green tea is also very useful in helping prevent allergic reactions in the body by blocking the allergy pathways. Green tea can boost of metabolism and helps the body person to lose weight faster. Overweight persons should consider consuming green tea, not only to lose weight but also to maintain it. The polyphenol substances present in green tea can play a role in the metabolism of cancerous cells and in the process stop their growth.Some of the cancers that can be retarded with green tea include bladder cancers, breast cancers, ovarian cancers, esophageal cancers, lung cancers, prostate cancers, colon cancers, stomach cancer, etc.
In a study conducted on rats, green tea helped to lower body weight, Erythrocyte glutathione and plasma hydroperoxides levels in the blood in diabetic rats. The production of retinal superoxide and lens crystalline substances also reduced following green tea consumption along with vitamins (O Tsung & MD Cheng, 2004, Georgian T. Mustata et al, 2005, NIkitina, 2006 & University of Maryland Medical Center, 2008).Side-effectsHowever, there are certain precautions and safety issues with green tea. It can trigger a number of side-effects in the body when consumed in an inappropriate manner.
However, green tea is not associated with serious side-effects frequently. Some of the side-effects that develop after consuming green tea are due to the caffeine content. As green tea has tannic acid, the side-effects of caffeine are less drastic. However, the caffeine in green tea less frequently causes serious effects compared to other teas.
The content of caffeine is much lesser and the rush of caffeine into the blood is such slower in green tea. An individual should consume about 3 to 4 cups of green tea a day. Individuals who consume higher amounts can develop dizziness, headache, vomiting, anorexia, sleeplessness, irregular pulse, caffeine-related overdose symptoms, etc. Individuals, who are affected with heart disease, stomach problems, anxiety, mental problems, panic attacks, kidney problems, etc, should consider consuming green tea after consulting a doctor.Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should avoid consuming much of green tea as it can adversely affect the developing baby.
Green tea can interact with several drugs including aspirin, antibiotics, adenosine, benzodiazepines, anticoagulants, anticancer drugs, anti-anxiety drugs, lithium, birth control pills, etc, to produce potential adverse effects. Hence greater amount of caution has been recommended before consuming this useful drug especially in individuals with a medical problem (Nikitina, 2006 & University of Maryland Medical Center, 2008).ConclusionI do feel that green tea has immense benefits to a person if about two to three glasses are consumed in a day. In children the consumption of green tea is usually not recommended.
People suffering from various systemic conditions should consume green tea only after consulting their physician. An average glass of green tea contains about 50 to 150 mg of polyphenols, which is beneficial for the human body. Long-term experiments on humans and animals have shown that green tea is very good for health and can have potential benefits.
