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 Blitz those free-radicals and boost your metabolism says Jo Schutt, GNC Naturopath and staff trainer.
Green tea has long been prized in Asia, as a stimulant and for its medicinal properties. Like many other traditional stimulant herbs it is believed that green tea was initially used to increase alertness in ceremonial settings. Originally cultivated in China, the fresh green tea leaves have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine to detoxify the body and treat a range of ailments, including depression, headaches and digestive complaints.
What is it?
Green tea, also known as Chinese tea, has been grown across Asia for over 5000 years. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, a perenial evergreen which can grow as large as a shrub or tree. Black and oolong teas are derived from the same plant, but lose some of their beneficial effects in the fermentation process. Green tea though is unfermented, leaving the plant’s active constituents intact.
Green tea contains tannins, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and a small amount of caffeine. However, the constituents which have excited researchers most over the past few years are the polyphenols, and in particular a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). This antioxidant compound appears to protect the body from the free-radical damage associated with poor immunity, the ageing process and various cancers. It also increases metabolic rate and affects the way body absorbs and uses dietary fats, making it an increasingly popular weight loss tool.
What is it used for?
Research continues into this versatile herb, but the indications are that it offers a range of health benefits.
Heart protection
Green tea appears to have a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown it not only reducestotal cholesterol and serum LDL, but actually increases HDLs, the good cholesterol. While green tea consumption increases antioxidant activity in the blood, it is also important for preventing cholesterol from oxidation which is one of the main contributing factors in atherosclerosis (currently the leading cause of death in the western world).
Weight loss
A number of green tea’s actions can be attributed to its caffeine content, but it’s the combination of its constituents that make it a useful supplement for increasing thermogenesis (the physiologic production of heat in the body) and weight loss. Studies have shown that green tea stimulates the reduction of brown fat and significantly increases 24-hour energy expenditure (assisting calorie output). Green tea’s ability to increase energy and promote mental clarity also makes it a fantastic supplement to use before exercise.
Fighting Infection
Green tea appears to have antiviral properties, making it useful for treating viral infections such as Influenza, Epstein- Barr virus (implicated in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) as well as inhibiting the replication of HIV. The antibacterial actions of green tea mean it’s also able to fight several types of bacteria including staphylococcus spp (Golden Staph), Streptococcus spp (commonly responsible for a sore throat), Salmonella spp (food poisoning) and Helicobacter pylori (often implicated in stomach ulcers). Researchers in Egypt recently released the results of a small study that offers hope in the fight against antibiotic-resistant superbugs. The research suggests that green tea can boost the potential of antibiotics to fight these bugs and other bacterial strains, and even make previously antibiotic-resistant bacteria susceptible to treatment.
How should it be taken?
Drinking cups of green tea is beneficial, but most of the research carried out to date is based on concentrated preparations of the herb. For therapeutic purposes the minimum recommended dose is 240 to 300 mg daily of EGCG, which is equivalent to approximately 10 to 15g of dry leaf.
Interactions:
Green tea contains vitamin K, which may affect blood thinning medication such as warfarin. You should not take green tea within an hour of taking pharmaceutical medications as it may affect their absorption.
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