Green Tea and Weight Loss

Green tea is very effective in natural weight loss. Besides loosing weight, it also has several other health benefits. Green tea contains a number of things that are reported to be very healthful for you. Among these are:

Tannins, phenols, polyphenols, and flavanoid compounds, the amino acid theanine, and catechins of which EGCG seems to be the most beneficial.

Green tea increases fat metabolism which means the rate at which you burn calories and the body's ability to burn fat increases. The studies seem to point to a connection between the caffeine in green tea and the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which causes a boost in noradrenaline. Noradrenaline helps your body boost your metabolism and suppress your appetite.

Green Tea Benefits in Weight Loss

• Green tea increases your metabolism: Studies shows that green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. These effects are probably due to the high concentrations of catechin polyphenols found in green tea. These work to help intensify levels of fat oxidation and thermogenesis (the rate at which your body burns calories).

• Green tea inhibits fat absorption and helps glucose regulation: Reports says that the catechins in green tea help to inhibit the movement of glucose into fat cells. Green tea may also act as al glucose regulator. It helps to slow the rise in blood sugar after a meal. This prevents high insulin spikes (lots of insulin promotes fat storage) and the subsequent fat storage.

• 3 – 5 cups of green tea per day is effective in noticeable weight loss. Doing this can help you burn an extra 70 calories per day which amounts to 7 pounds per year.

Other Benefits of Green Tea on Health

• It helps in protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation.
• It helps in increasing normal life span.
• It also protect against a number of different cancers.
• It Increases antioxidant levels in the body.

Source : http://www.natural-cure-guide.com

Green Tea Health Benefits

Is any other food or drink reported to have as many health benefits as green tea? The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression. In her book Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, Nadine Taylor states that green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years.
Today, scientific research in both Asia and the west is providing hard evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea. For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that a compound in green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol.

To sum up, here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea is reputed to be helpful:

• cancer
• rheumatoid arthritis
• high cholesterol levels
• cariovascular disease
• infection
• impaired immune function

What makes green tea so special?
The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.
Links are being made between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.
Why don't other Chinese teas have similar health-giving properties? Green, oolong, and black teas all come from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. What sets green tea apart is the way it is processed. Green tea leaves are steamed, which prevents the EGCG compound from being oxidized. By contrast, black and oolong tea leaves are made from fermented leaves, which results in the EGCG being converted into other compounds that are not nearly as effective in preventing and fighting various diseases.

Other Benefits

New evidence is emerging that green tea can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.
Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay! Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque. Meanwhile, skin preparations containing green tea - from deodorants to creams - are starting to appear on the market.

Harmful Effects?

To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately thirty to sixty mg. of caffeine in six - eight ounces of tea, compared to over one-hundred mg. in eight ounces of coffee.

Source : http://chinesefood.about.com

Skin Benefits

Over the past decade, green tea has developed quite a reputation as a “health food,” as researchers have uncovered a variety of health benefits.
You may be aware that it is good for your body. But do you know that it also shows up as a key ingredient in a variety of skin and hair care products? There is scientific research showing that green tea has a variety of beneficial properties when used topically.
Want to know what green tea is supposed to do for your skin, and how to choose products that effectively harness its beneficial properties? You will find out soon.

Green Tea Skin Benefits #1:

Fight Free Radicals
Green tea contains a cocktail of potent antioxidants called catechins, which help fight damage caused by free radicals.
Free radicals are molecules that are missing an electron - they are inherently unstable, and always trying to steal an electron from the other molecules around them.
Free radicals can form in your skin for a variety of reasons, including exposure to toxins. However, the most common cause of free radicals in skin cells is UV radiation from sunlight, which causes up to 90% of all signs of premature aging.
Want to know why green tea is so indispensable as antioxidants?
Green Tea Antioxidants - 7 Reason Why They Are So Powerful

Green Tea Skin Benefits #2:
Neutralise UV Light
In several scientific studies, green tea extract was shown to neutralize the damage done by exposure to UV rays.
A 2000 study by Case Western Reserve University showed that green tea protects against sunburn. Volunteers had green tea extract applied to the skin on their buttocks, which was then exposed to solar radiation.
At a concentration level of 4 milligrams per 2.5 cm square of skin area,, the subjects obtained complete protection from sunburn. Some protection was observed at lower concentrations down to 1 milligram per cm square of skin area.
Since exposure to sunlight is a major factor that ages the skin, it is reasonable to assume that green tea cream could help prevent premature aging.
No one is advocating giving up your sunscreen in favor of green tea just yet, but green tea can definitely help enhance its effectiveness.

Green Tea Skin Benefits #3:
Prevent Skin Cancer
Green tea’s antioxidant effects may help prevent skin cancer.
A 2003 study published in the American Chemical Society discovered that green tea prevents skin cancer by blocking the harmful enzyme junk-2.
A recent 2007 study conducted in the UK revealed that those who drank two or more cups a day had a 65% lower risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma.
Interestingly, the same study noted that drinking tea with lemon boosts its anti-cancer properties.
Green Tea And Skin Cancer - Lotion Or Beverage?
Green Tea Skin Benefits #4:

Rejuvenate Skin Cells
One study, performed in 2003 by Dr. Stephen Hsu of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Oral Biology, found that green tea was able to rejuvenate old skin cells that were at the end of their life cycle.
To quote Dr. Hsu from his 2003 paper:
Thus, we report here for the first time, that at certain concentrations, EGCG or a mixture of the major green tea polyphenols stimulated aged keratinocytes to generate biological energy and to synthesize DNA, possibly for renewed cell division.
Therefore, green tea constituents may be useful topically for promoting skin regeneration, wound healing, or treatment of certain epithelial conditions such as aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosacea, and actinic keratosis.
Dr. Hsu commented afterwards:
“Cells that migrate toward the surface of the skin normally live about 28 days, and by day 20, they basically sit on the upper layer of the skin getting ready to die.”
“But EGCG reactivates them. I was so surprised.”
Green Tea And Skin - How EGCG Reactivate Dying Cells
Although this is an amazing finding, it is too early to say what this means for consumers.
So don’t be fooled by claims that green tea “reverses the aging process,” as it has only been shown to do so for individual skin cells, not for the face as a whole.
Prevention is one thing. Turning back the clock is completely different!
However, green tea may help increase elasticity when used continuously, so it may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles even if it can’t remove them completely.

Green Tea Skin Benefits #5:

Fight Inflammation
Green tea also has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. If your skin is very sensitive and often red, products containing green tea extract may help soothe it.
Tea Cream And Skin Inflammation

Green Tea Skin Benefits #6:

Improve Psoriasis and Dandruff Conditions
People with skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, and dandruff, which are caused by inflammation, may benefit the most from the anti-inflammatory action of the chemicals in green tea.
In a 2007 study published in Experimental Dermatology, green tea was shown to significantly lessen the severity of psoriasis in mice.
Green Tea And Hair - Dandruff And Psoriasis Cure?

Green Tea Skin Benefits #7:

Sooth Acne And Lighten Skin
Everyone has experienced a bad case of acne at least once in their lives - usually at the worst possible time.
In addition to the benefits listed above, green tea catechins are anti-bacterial and can decrease hormone activity. This means green tea is an effective way to control acne, without the unpleasant side effects of benzoyl peroxide-based creams.
A 2003 study carried out by Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong of Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines showed that green tea cream was as good as benzoyl peroxide cream in treating acne conditions with fewer side effects.
The researchers noted the green tea cream seemed to lighten patients' skin color and improve the overall appearance of their complexion.
This is excellent news, since benzoyl peroxide is often irritating to the skin, and can cause damage in the form of free radicals.

www.amazing-green-tea.com

Green Tea Fights Fat

Green Tea Fights Fat

Green Tea Ingredient May Promote Healthy Weight Loss
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD
Jan. 26, 2005 -- Need another healthy reason to drink green tea? Aside from fighting heart disease, cancer, and other diseases, a new study shows that drinking green tea may also fight fat.
The study showed that people who drank a bottle of tea fortified with green tea extract every day for three months lost more body fat than those who drank a bottle of regular oolong tea.
Researchers say the results indicate that substances found in green tea known as catechins may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and decreasing body fat.
The findings appear in the January issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Green Tea: Fat Fighter?
Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. But unlike the other two varieties, green tea leaves are not fermented before steaming and drying.
Most teas contain large amounts of polyphenols, which are plant-based substances that have been shown to have antioxidant, anticancer, and antiviral properties.
However, green tea is particularly rich in a type of polyphenols called catechins. These substances have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, but recent research in animals show that catechins may also affect body fat accumulation and cholesterol levels.
In this study, researchers looked at the effects of catechins on body fat reduction and weight loss in a group of 35 Japanese men. The men had similar weights based on theirBMI (body mass index, an indicator of body fat) and waist sizes.
The men were divided into two groups. For three months, the first group drank a bottle of oolong tea fortified with green tea extract containing 690 milligrams of catechins, and the other group drank a bottle of oolong tea with 22 milligrams of catechins.
During this time, the men ate identical breakfasts and dinners and were instructed to control their calorie and fat intake at all times so that overall total diets were similar.
After three months, the study showed that the men who drank the green tea extract lost more weight (5.3 pounds vs. 2.9 pounds) and experienced a significantly greater decrease in BMI, waist size, and total body fat.
In addition, LDL "bad" cholesterol went down in the men who drank the green tea extract.
The catechin content varies by amount of green tea used and steeping time. But general recommendations, based on previous studies on the benefits of green tea, are at least 4 cups a day. Green tea extract supplements are also available.
Researchers say the results indicate that catechins in green tea not only help burn calories and lower LDL cholesterol but may also be able to mildly reduce body fat.
"These results suggest that catechins contribute to the prevention of and improvement in various lifestyle-related diseases, particularly obesity," write researcher Tomonori Nagao of Health Care Products Research Laboratories in Tokyo, and colleagues.
Source : http://www.webmd.com

Green Tea Benefits

Green tea may benefit those suffering from sleep apnea

Drinking large quantities of green tea may help ward off memory loss and other cognitive problems in people suffering from a common sleep disorder, a new study has found.
Researchers investigated the effects of green tea's antioxidant compounds — known as polyphenols — on obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.
According to lead study author David Gozal of the University of Louisville, the drop in oxygen levels and inflammation associated with apnea can lead to the death of brain cells over time. He said the study showed that drinking six to 10 cups of green tea a day can help combat this decline.
Gozal stressed that the study suggests green tea should be an "adjunct" therapy in humans suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, not a main treatment.
"If you have sleep apnea, use your (breathing) machine while you are sleeping," Gozal wrote in an e-mail. "However, if you also drink green tea, this may help you feel better."
The research appears in the most recent issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a publication of the American Thoracic Society.
There has been considerable research on green tea in recent years, with studies suggesting it might help prevent everything from heart disease to high cholesterol. Other studies have looked at the effects of green tea in slowing the effects of age-related memory decline, such as Alzheimer's.
In the apnea study, Gozal and colleagues divided 106 male rats into two groups, which were then subjected to intermittent oxygen depletion during a 12-hour cycle for 14 days. One group received drinking water treated with green tea polyphenols; the other plain drinking water.
The rats were then tested for inflammation and oxygen deprivation, as well as for performance in spatial learning and memory tasks. Specifically, the rats had to navigate a water "maze" that required them to memorize the location of a hidden platform.
Researchers found that rats that drank the green tea-infused water performed significantly better than the rats that got plain water.
Carol Ash, a sleep disorders specialist affiliated with Somerset Medical Center in New Jersey, said she has had many patients with obstructive sleep apnea who struggle with memory and concentration.
Because sleep apnea is "an excellent example of oxidative stress," Ash said it makes sense that the antioxidant properties of green tea might prove beneficial.
One of her patients, Jo-Ann Ferri, said she would be willing to try it, recalling her own problems with memory.
''I would forget people's names and I would see these people everyday," said Ferri, 52, who now uses a machine to help aid her breathing at night.
While she only "occasionally" drinks green tea, Ferri said she plans to increase her consumption.
''I would love not to use this machine," she said.