Green Tea originates from China, where the medicinal benefits have been recognised and used for thousands of years.  It has been associated with many cultures including Asia, the Middle East, and Japan, and has been the subject of many different and varied scientific studies, especially over the past few decades with the realisation of its attributes.

The most beneficial property of Green Tea is Catechin Polyphenols, more specifically, Epigallocatechin Gallate, (EGCG), which is a powerful anti-oxidant.

Most Chinese teas, including the black teas, all come from the Camellia Sinensis plant, but the difference is that Green Tea is steamed, thus retaining the EGCG, whereas the others are fermented and lose this property.

Cancer – The anti-oxidant EGCG, assists in the prevention of growth of cancer cells.¹

Heart Disease

EGCG assists in the prevention of blood clotting, and also is considered to help in the lowering of cholesterol, (LDL), levels.  Scientific studies have noted that in Asia, which consume large quantities of Green Tea, appear to have significantly lower rates of heart disease and cancer, even though they have a significantly higher rate of smoking.²

Dietary

A study by Birmingham University has also found that Green Tea extract made a significantly higher fat oxidisation, thus helping weight loss.³

Other benefits are believed to be the helping of Arthritis, the prevention of Tooth decay, and the growing market of Skin preparations.

¹American journal of clinical nutrition,  Vol. 87, No. 3, 778-784, March 2008. Michelle C Venebles, Carl J Hulsten, Hannah R Cox, Asker  Jeukendrop. Human Performance Lab, School of Sport and exercise sciences, University of Birmingham
²D J Maron, G Ping Lu, Nai Sheng Kai, Zong Gui Wu, Yue Hua Li, Hui Chen, Jian Qiu Zau, Xue Juan Jin, B C Wouters Jian Zhao, All MD’s Arch Intern Med. 2003. 163 : 1448-1453
³NEBI  Pub/Med  Molecules  2007. May 3.  12(5) : 946 – 57.  Chen L ,  Zhang H Y, College of Life and sciences, Shandong,  Normal university, Japan.