The Green Tea Diet

Green tea has long been known in Asia for its benefits to human health. According to Chinese legend, in 2737 B.C. Emperor Shen Nung was boiling some water for drinking when some leaves from a tree nearby blew into the pot. He became enamored with its wonderful smell and a heavenly taste. In 800 A.D., Buddhist monks returning from their studies in China, brought green tea to Japan.
There are three main types of tea - green tea, oolong tea and black tea, all produced from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The differences between these teas has to do with the method by which the tea is produced: with black tea the leaves are fully oxidized before being dried; in oolong tea they are only partially oxidized and dried; in green tea the leaves are only gently steamed and dried - not oxidized. Herbal teas and fruit teas are produced from herbs and fruits, not the Camellia sinensis plant. When decaffeinated, green tea does not show the same benefits as in its natural, unprocessed state.
While green tea has been used for thousands of years for it's positive effect on health, recent scientific research has proven it to have many specific positive effects on human health. Recent studies show that the antioxidants present in the tea: may reduce cholesterol; act as an anti-inflammatory in the body; improve blood vessel function and reduce blood lipids; may protect against cardiovascular disease; and even may be helpful in treating skin conditions such as acne. These antioxidants have also been shown to inhibit the growth of cancers in the early stages.
Green tea's antibacterial properties have been shown to inhibit many types of bacteria beneficial to the digestive and respiratory systems and may inhibit the growth of the bacteria in the mouth which cause tooth decay. Recent studies have been promising with regard to its its effect on cold and flu viruses. L-theanine, a substance in green tea, triggers the T cells to secrete a staggering 10 times their normal output of virus-battling interferon. Even gargling with green tea coats the oral cavity with one of green tea's potent components - catechins - helpful in neutralizing viral infections.
Researchers now believe that green tea may be useful in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease. A British study found that drinking green tea inhibited three important brain-battering chemicals: acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and beta-secretase - three chemicals associated with breaking down chemical messengers and forming plaques and protein deposits in the brain.
Green tea is believed to be useful in weight loss as well. It induces a thermogenic effect which is helpful in burning fat. Widely available as a dietary supplement, green tea extract is often used as an ingredient in many diet pills, weight loss supplements, and appetite suppressants, such as TrimSpa and CortiSlim.
In our opinion, the research on the use of green tea as a dietary supplement shows great promise, due to findings supporting its overall beneficial effect on the body when used in conjunction with a well-balanced, healthy diet plan. Of course, more research is needed to examine it's specific effect on weight loss and how it may be used in conjunction with diet programs. We recommend that dieters always check with their doctor first, before taking any dietary supplement or following any fad diet or weight loss program.