Green Tea: Drink to your health!

The healing powers of green tea have been valued in Asia for thousands of years, but here in the West, we are just now beginning to understand how valuable it is. Preliminary research indicated that drinking green tea may help prevent cancer and possibly heart disease.

Green tea contains large amounts of “epigallocatechin gallate” (EGCG) which is in the catechin (a type of flavonoid) family of phytochemicals. Some benefits of EGCG and green tea:

• potent antioxidant which seeks out and destroys free radicals
• inhibits the growth of cancer cells
• induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells without damaging healthy cells.
• can help balance LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
• promotes weight loss with long term consumption

To get the maximum benefits of green tea, invest in a teapot and a quality loose tea! Research conducted at the USDA’s Department of Food Composition Lab showed that levels of catechins in instant teas, pre-bagged teas, and bottled teas were lower than in freshly brewed teas. I love the delicate flavor of organic, free-trade Jasmine Pearl green tea from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Get more in your diet by switching out coffee or black tea for a cup of green tea. Green tea is best brewed with hot, not boiling water, and should be allowed to steep for 2-4 minutes, depending on the type. Also try these ideas to increase green tea in your diet.

• Brew green tea, strain, chill and serve over ice. Add a splash of pomegranate juice for a refreshing and antioxidant rich drink.
• Make ice cubes of iced green tea and use to cool lemonade or other drink.
• Combine green tea with peppermint leaves when brewing for an uplifting blend.
• Brew a pot of green tea and use it as the basis for a vegetable soup or broth.