Green Tea Nutrition
Green Tea History
Legends of Green Tea nutrition are well known: From weight loss to curing diseases, the benefits seemed legendary, but science has much to say on the subject of Green Tea nutrition claims now.
The purported benefits of Green Tea have been recorded for thousands of years. Long before the properties of Green Tea nutrition, such as antioxidants called polyphenols, various flavonoids, several vitamins, and caffeine were known to science and mankind.
Though it is not known exactly how Green Tea was discovered, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea's title in Nomenclature and Taxonomy) has been in common use for approximately 5000 thousand years. Camellia Sinensis first originated in China, before being exported and propagated in other parts of the world.
Types of Tea
4 key types of tea exist, but all of them are processed from the Camellia Sinensis plant. They Include:
- White Tea
- Green Tea
- Oolong Tea (Wu-long Tea)
- Pu-erh Tea (Known as Black Tea in China)
- and Black Tea (Known as Red Tea in China)
Other teas, usually of the herbal variety (though practically anything can be steeped into a beverage), are not actually teas as they are not made from the Green Tea plant. An example is what most other countries refer to as "Red Tea" or Roobios which is brewed from the Roobios plant in South Africa.
Camellia Sinensis can also be processed into other products, such as an essential oil which is referred to as 'tea oil'. The Green Tea plant, if allowed to grow, will actually grow into a tree.
Green Tea Nutrition: Vitamins
Green Tea nutrition is a fundamental basis for traditional Chinese Medicinal practices, and in modern times it is used for its extensive set of health benefits.
Green Tea nutrition has been the subject of comprehensive studies in controlled laboratory settings, and observed for its effects on a variety of living organisms. [source]
Green Tea nutrition includes several different kinds of vitamins which are beneficial to individual health, and the regulation of certain bodily systems.
Vitamins in Green Tea
Abundant in Green Tea are B Vitamins, mostly in the form of Vitamin B2, or Riboflavin. Riboflavin is a water-soluble vitamin which helps the body to breakdown and regulate amino acids and fats.
It helps to remove Carbon Dioxide from the body, and increases the oxygen intake of cells. Vitamin B2 also increases the amount of antibodies present within an organism; and it also helps to protect the eyes and skin from substances which could damage them.
Other beneficial Vitamins which are present in Green Tea include:
- Vitamin A, or 'Retinol' (containing Beta-Carotene)
- Vitamin B1, or 'Thiamine'
- Vitamin B2, or 'Riboflavin'
- Vitamin B3, or 'Niacin'
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E, or 'Tocopherol'
- Vitamin K, or 'Koagulations'
More about the Vitamins in Green Tea.
All of the previously listed vitamins have an overall effect on a great majority of the bodies natural systems, especially the use of oxygen and most help to regulate and promote good bodily functions.
The vitamins found in Green Tea, when applied to Green Tea Diets, may even be an encompassing list in regards to what systems they benefit and aid.
Green Tea Nutrition: Minerals
Numerous Minerals are also found to be present within Green Tea, some of the most Major of which include:
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Fluoride
- Aluminium
- Manganese
- and Iron [source]
In addition to Vitamins, Minerals, and Caffeine, Green Tea contains several other health promoting substances. These substances include:
- Tannins (mostly Catechin)
- Amino Acids, which include L-Theanine
- Chlorophyll A & B
- Polysaccharides [source]
- and Saponin [source].
All of these very healthy components seem to interact with each other in a way that benefits every possible aspect of life processes and systems.
These benefits are far too numerous to list and summarize, but we will cover them briefly in the next section. Plenty information is available from a number of reputable sources for those who wish to involve themselves in a little personal research.
Green Tea Nutrition: Flavonoids
Other properties and substances to be encountered in Green Tea Nutrition include Flavonoids, which are metabolites found in plants.
Tea has one of the highest quantities of Flavonoids which are the most common of what are called Polyphenol Compounds which have inherent properties of anti-allergens, anti-inflammatories, anti-microbials, anti-diarrheals, and cancer fighting characteristics. These will be discussed in the next section.
Green Tea Nutrition: Ailments & Diseases
The specific ailments which Green Tea helps to heal, or prevent, are extremely diverse and numerous.
All of its properties together seem to positively affect the entire living system of an organism in general, and indeed seems to be all inclusive in regards to what areas its benefits can be found to aid in terms of overall health.
When used in conjunction with other healthy lifestyle practices, Green Tea nutrition provides boosts in energy, battles certain types of cancer (such as Prostate Cancer, although findings appear mixed), helps to regulate weight, prevents Coronary Heart Disease, and provides numerous other health related benefits. Green Tea also may inhibit tooth decay, and overall, Green Tea Nutrition helps to promote longevity as a result of these benefits.
Additional Sources:
- http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/benefit_of_drinking_green_tea
- http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/health-benefits-of-green-tea
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16698148
Green Tea & Oxidative Stress
Other ailments which studies indicate are improved by Green Tea nutrition include Oxidative Stress, which naturally occurs with Oxygen intake.
This occurs when protein controlled oxidant responses don't keep up with Oxidative Stress, which results in disease, and affects the body's aging processes.
Additional Sources:
Green Tea Nutrition Research
Green Tea nutrition research is happening constantly, and while there is still much that is unknown, it is clear that it has huge benefits.
The most important thing for people who research the health benefits of Green Tea is to discern between what is true, what is exaggeration, and what is completely false.
Research carefully, don't believe hype, and talk with your doctor. Throughout this article, I've tried to only link to reputable resources including PubMed which is a US Government website where scientific research papers are submitted for peer review, along with University websites as well as other Government sites. I hope you've found it useful.
