Green Tea Ingredients – All You Need To Know About EGCG, Theanine And Caffeine
Julian Tai
July 15, 2008
What are the green tea ingredients that make a hot cup of tea such a healthful daily supplement?
By now we have all heard about the many health benefits of drinking green tea. From cancer and diabetes prevention to lower cholesterol and blood sugars, this beverage is a natural wonder drug.
There is really only one actual ingredient in green tea – tea! Green tea is made from the leaves, and sometimes the buds, of the camellia sinensis, or tea, plant. All tea comes from this plant. Green tea is minimally processed, with the result that most of the beneficial compounds found in the plant make their way into your cup.
Catechin Polyphenols
Polyphenols are antioxidants that scavenge damaging free radicals, keeping them from damaging our cells. If left unchecked, free radicals can damage DNA and even kill healthy cells. This in turn makes us vulnerable to cancer, among other diseases. Free radicals occur naturally in our bodies, and are also produced when we are exposed to toxins and pollutants. Green tea has the highest concentration of antioxidants of just about any food or drink!
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is one of the polyphenols found in green tea. It has been the subject of literally hundreds of research studies. Here are just some of the health benefits of this super-antioxidant:
1. Lower levels of "bad" cholesterol
2. Less chance of developing diabetes
3. Less chance of developing some types of cancer
4. Lower blood sugar
5. Increased fat burning
6. Fewer signs of aging
7. Increased levels of "good" cholesterol
What Else
Other than antioxidants, what else is in green tea that is good for us?
The answer is caffeine and theanine. These two green tea ingredients combine to provide benefits far outweighed by either one individually. Caffeine is a compound most of us are familiar with. It is a stimulant that provides us with a lift in energy and can really improve clarity of thought. It can even act as an antidepressant!
Theanine is an amino acid found almost nowhere other than in tea. It helps reduce anxiety, and may be useful in fighting high blood pressure. The miracle occurs when theanine and caffeine come together. In combination, these two compounds dramatically increase one´s ability to think, remember, and pay careful attention.
We are learning more about the health benefits of green tea with every study. What we have discovered thus far is that the unique combination of green tea ingredients seems to help with a wide variety of health issues.
What's so special about green tea ingredients that make this beverage the miracle of the cup?
Visit my Green Tea Information and Facts guide to know which are the 10 facts and 10 fallacies you must know.
Find out why loose green tea is my favourite choice and the 6 reasons why it is better than grocery teabags!
By now we have all heard about the many health benefits of drinking green tea. From cancer and diabetes prevention to lower cholesterol and blood sugars, this beverage is a natural wonder drug.
There is really only one actual ingredient in green tea – tea! Green tea is made from the leaves, and sometimes the buds, of the camellia sinensis, or tea, plant. All tea comes from this plant. Green tea is minimally processed, with the result that most of the beneficial compounds found in the plant make their way into your cup.
Catechin Polyphenols
Polyphenols are antioxidants that scavenge damaging free radicals, keeping them from damaging our cells. If left unchecked, free radicals can damage DNA and even kill healthy cells. This in turn makes us vulnerable to cancer, among other diseases. Free radicals occur naturally in our bodies, and are also produced when we are exposed to toxins and pollutants. Green tea has the highest concentration of antioxidants of just about any food or drink!
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is one of the polyphenols found in green tea. It has been the subject of literally hundreds of research studies. Here are just some of the health benefits of this super-antioxidant:
1. Lower levels of "bad" cholesterol
2. Less chance of developing diabetes
3. Less chance of developing some types of cancer
4. Lower blood sugar
5. Increased fat burning
6. Fewer signs of aging
7. Increased levels of "good" cholesterol
What Else
Other than antioxidants, what else is in green tea that is good for us?
The answer is caffeine and theanine. These two green tea ingredients combine to provide benefits far outweighed by either one individually. Caffeine is a compound most of us are familiar with. It is a stimulant that provides us with a lift in energy and can really improve clarity of thought. It can even act as an antidepressant!
Theanine is an amino acid found almost nowhere other than in tea. It helps reduce anxiety, and may be useful in fighting high blood pressure. The miracle occurs when theanine and caffeine come together. In combination, these two compounds dramatically increase one´s ability to think, remember, and pay careful attention.
We are learning more about the health benefits of green tea with every study. What we have discovered thus far is that the unique combination of green tea ingredients seems to help with a wide variety of health issues.
What's so special about green tea ingredients that make this beverage the miracle of the cup?
Visit my Green Tea Information and Facts guide to know which are the 10 facts and 10 fallacies you must know.
Find out why loose green tea is my favourite choice and the 6 reasons why it is better than grocery teabags!
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