Healthy Blood Sugar Onions

The  benefits of green tea can be attributed to its high levels of . Green tea is a proven anti-carcinogenic and anti-aging agent, that helps with weight loss, promotes heart health and provides a boost to the immune system that aids in overall health.

Black tea leaves are fermented, causing a change in color, taste and an increase of caffeine and tannins. Green tea is not fermented; leaves are dried, slightly steamed and retain their green color.

Health benefits of green tea can be attributed Catechin Polyphenois or tannins, a flavanoid; it also contains amino acids, xanthine alkaloids, pectin, saccharides, chlorophyll, triterpene saponins as well as  A, B1, B2, B3, C and E.

Varieties are defined by length of the tea leaves, method of processing, season of harvest and include:

• Gyokurocha
• Sencha
• Bancha
• Matcha
• Houjicha
• Genmalcha

In addition, you can purchase decaffeinated green tea. Three processes for decaffeinated are:

• an industrial process that treat leaves with Ethyl Acetate, which drains some antioxidants and vitamins along with the caffeine;

• a second industrial method processes the tea leaves in water and carbon dioxide, allowing the leaves to retain a greater amount of antioxidants;

• a domestic process where the tea is steeped in fresh hot water two or three times, decreasing flavor along with caffeine.

Properties

Green tea is rich in vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants proven to promote health and prolong life expectancy. Health benefits of Green tea include:

• Anti-Aging properties

• Anti-Cancer; antioxidants fight free radicals; the tea also restricts blood vessel growth to affected cells, essentially starving them

• Stimulant; caffeine and tannins lessen fatigue, sleepiness, lethargy, malaise and improves circulation

• Immune System Enhancement; Catechins prevent bacteria and viruses from attaching to cell walls

• Anti-Microbial; heightened immune system helps fight against dysentery, diarrhea, tooth decay, indigestion, colitis, colds, cough and flu and other microbial and fungal ailments

• Astringent; treatment of minor wounds, cuts and abrasions

• Dental health; protection against tooth decay, loosening of teeth and bad breath

• Heart health; lowers blood pressure, reduces LDL cholesterol and prevents conditions associated with thickening of blood such as arterial sclerosis, thrombosis, cardiac arrest and cerebral strokes

• High consumption of tannins can effect the protein absorption

• Increase in uric acid from Xanthine Alkaloids, possibly causing gallbladder and kidney stones as well as rheumatism

Other side-effects:

• insomnia
• restlessness
• irritability
• headaches
• hypertension
• palpitations
• abnormal heart rhythm
• loss of appetite
• constipation
• addiction

The majority of these adverse effects occur in individuals who regularly, over-consume caffeinated tea. Individuals who drink green tea in moderation, especially domestically decaffeinated, are less likely to have unwanted effects.

Summary

The impressive range of health benefits of green tea includes weight loss aid, heart health, increase in energy, stamina and concentration, protection against colds, bacteria and viruses as well as anti-aging and anti-cancer properties. Green tea comes from the same plant as black tea and risks are commonly associated with extreme consumption of caffeine and tannins. In moderation, green tea is a relatively safe, affordable, versatile, healthy drink.