- Diva Village did an article on Green Tea that I thought I would pass along....I personally love the stuff because of how refreshing it is but there are plenty of other perks that come with drinking green tea:
--(Lowers cholesterol and blood pressure!) Again peer-reviewed studies have shown promise for green tea in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease by lowering LDL (the bad cholesterol) cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Green tea and its extracts also appear to prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, a process that then allows the cholesterol to inflame the blood vessels of the heart and form the plaques that ultimately lead to heart disease. Green tea has also been shown to lower blood pressure, help regulate blood sugar levels, enhance the immune system and even prevent arthritis.
--(Digests and gets rid of bad breath!) Traditional uses of green tea have also suggested that it improves digestion after a meal and may help with foul breath. The deodorizing action of green tea again appears to be related to its polyphenolic components and their ability to suppress methyl mercaptan, the component most closely associated with halitosis.
--(Lose Weight!) One of the most exciting horizons for green tea is as a potential metabolic enhancer thus promoting weight loss. The human studies looking at this effect are small but they are promising. It should be noted that this effect appears to be independent of the tea’s caffeine content!
--(Sleep Well!) The key ingredient in Green Tea is L-Theanine (an amino acid ) which can be taken on it's own in the form of SunTheanine. 50-200 mg of SunTheanine (available in many products and now being added to foods, chocolate and chewing gum) markedly decreases anxiety during the day while leaving your mind clear and if taken at night increases deep restorative sleep
--(And more!) Other areas of future interest include green teas action against hepatitis especially the virus that causes Hepatitis C, as a treatment for non-bacterial prostatitis, as an antibiotic, as a way to prevent tooth decay, and a treatment for arthritis both of the osteo- and rheumatoid varieties.
--3 to 5 cups a day will get you on your way to a healthier lifestyle