Green tea consumption has been connected in the prevention of different cancers- this includes mammary gland cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney cancer, small intestine cancer, stomach cancer, mouth cancer, esophagus, colon cancer, and lung cancer.  Several clinical trials and epidemiological studies have demonstrated that green tea (Oolong and black tea, as well, but, to a lesser extent) may also reduce and prevent many other chronic diseases.  Why is this so?  Green tea has something in it called polyphenols.  Polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that help rid the body of free radicals.  There are so many wonderful effects of green tea and its powerful antioxidants- green tea can help to lower blood pressure.  This is great news as we all know that high blood pressure is responsible for the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. 

According to some animal studies green tea has shown a connection between the reduction of coronary heart disease development and the reduction of the levels of blood sugar.  The reduction of the levels of blood sugar also have an impact upon the body’s weight. These studies were performed on middle-aged animals, not the elderly-with theelderly animal the nutritional factor tends to be more diminished due to the socioeconomic and age related biological factors. 

Tea phase possesses antioxidants, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-mutagenic effects and helps to protect individuals from the threat of cancer caused due to environmental factors.  The inhibitory effect of green leaf tea has been reported by Sano et al.  Participants of the study where given polyphenol EGCG (which is found in green tea leaf) orally.  The results were that there is a positive effect against lipid peroxidation induced by tert-butyl hdroperoxide.  The study also noted that the kidney experienced a similar affect.  The active forms of oxygen were used in experiments to test the anti-oxidative power of individual catechins and crude catechin powder.   Crude catechins decreased peroxides formation more effectively than dl-α-tocopherol.

Since ancient times, Asians have used green tea to treat typhoid and diarrhea.  Helicobacter pylori infection is also inhibited by the catechins in green tea.  Other traditional uses for green tea include using the tea as a defense against the flu virus, and as a defense against the herpes simplex virus. 

Impact absorption of metal ions

Absorption can be affected by tea catechins – especially among those with an iron deficiency; unfortunately the effects on other ions are not clearly understood.  The consumption of green tea over a long period  of time does not appear to have an  absorption affect on copper, where it is reduced to increase manganese and zinc.  The plasma concentration of these ions was not affected due to catechin intake.  The metabolism and absorption of interacting ions can be affected with the green tea catechins due to the various metal ions and flavonoids.

We all know that green tea is GREAT!  That’s why we are here.  We could go on forever about the list of benefits, with weight loss being one of the most beneficial.