Extensively studied, green tea is renowned for its role in preventing or helping many diseases. Research has long confirmed the highly powerful antioxidant properties of green tea, that makes it particularly adept at lowering total cholesterol by raising HDL or "good" cholesterol levels.
Green Tea is a Powerful Antioxidant
Free radicals are compounds that cause damage within the body by (amongst other things) altering cells and interfering with DNA. Many scientists also believe that free radicals contribute to the aging process as well as to the development of a number of health problems, such as, cancer and heart disease.
The copious amounts of antioxidants contained in green tea, such as polyphenols, can neutralise these free radicals and may reduce or help prevent some of the damage they cause. The polyphenols contained in green tea are known as "catechins." There are six primary catechin compounds contained in the tea, including apigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, which is one of the most studied and the most active compound.
Green Tea Has Been Linked with Aiding Many Diseases
Green tea can also aid in the treatment of the following:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Diabetes
- Liver Disease
More recently, research carried out by the Medical College of Georgia, suggests that green tea could be a new treatment for autoimmune diseases and related skin problems, such as psoriasis and dandruff.
Dr Stephen Hsu, the lead investigator in a study published by the Medical College of Georgia confirmed in the article, "Inflammatory Skin Diseases Could Be Treated With Green Tea In The Future," (08 August 2007 on medicalnewstoday.com), that green tea showed positive results, which is classed as important research. This is because the more traditional treatments, of UV light and powerful medication, can have dangerous side effects.
While there are still obstacles to overcome, and it has been acknowledged that more research is required, there are hopeful signs that green tea can indeed provide a non-toxic way to regulate inflammatory skin diseases.
Many skincare and conditioning products contain green tea extract, which has been linked with cell rejuvenation. With its strong anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, green tea also extends the effect of sunscreens and is an active ingredient in many chemical-free sunscreen products.
Available as loose leaf tea or teabags, green tea extract is also available in capsule form as a dietary supplement and is used in some weight-loss products. Green teas popularity is certainly growing as it becomes increasingly available as a beverage in cafés and restaurants around the world and stocked by most supermarkets.
Sources:
Research Paper on Health Risks of Sunscreen - Dr John Knowland, Dept Biochemistry, University of Oxford. www.ox.ac.uk
Julie Edgar - Heaelth Benefits of Green Tea
Dr Stephen Hsu, MCG School of Dentistry - Experimental Dermatology - www.medicalnewstoday.com
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