| Health Benefits Of Tea |
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Claims have been made regarding the health benefits of tea consumption since the beginning of its history 5,000 years ago. The possible beneficial health effects of tea consumption have been suggested and supported by some studies, but others have not found beneficial effects. One should consult a doctor before using high concentrations of tea for disease prevention as this can cause serious health problems. {Link without Title} BENEFITS FROM GREEN TEA Some scientific studies {Link without Title} indicate that Green Tea may be helpful for the following health conditions:
Studies claim that the Polyphenol content of green tea has Antioxidant properties that can help prevent Cancer , however research is ongoing. There is also a suggestion that it can increase endurance in exercise by improving fat metabolism. An article in '' New Scientist '' magazine ( 20 March 2004 ) mentions that numerous studies suggest that green tea protects against a range of cancers, including lung, prostate and breast cancer. The reason is the antioxidant Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), according to Hirofumi Tachibana's team at Kyushu University in Japan. Their research showed that growth of human lung cancer cells that have a cell receptor called ''67 LR'' is slowed significantly after drinking just two or three cups of green tea, which contains EGCG. The research also showed that 67 LR is involved in the propagation of Prion diseases such as Mad Cow Disease in humans. So knowledge of EGCG's effect on 67 LR might have implications in the treatment of these diseases too. (Full report in ''Nature Structural and Molecular Biology'', DOI:10.1038/nsmb743). According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute , in laboratory studies using animals, Catechins scavenged oxidants before cell damage occurred, reduced the number and size of tumors, and inhibited the growth of cancer cells. White Tea is said to be even more effective. However, human studies have proven more contradictory, perhaps due to such factors as variances in diet, environments, and populations. Clinical Trial s conducted by the University Of Geneva in Switzerland indicate that green tea raises Metabolic Rate s and speeds up fat oxidation. In addition to Caffeine , green tea contains catechin polyphenols that raise Thermogenesis (the rate at which calories are burned), and hence increases energy expenditure. |
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