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YES! YES! and another YES! Green tea contains polyphenols which are great to maintaining health. The secret of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.

There is research to support the link between the effects of drinking green tea and the "French Paradox." For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet rich in fat, the French have a lower incidence of heart disease than Americans. The answer was found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol, a polyphenol that limits the negative effects of smoking and a fatty diet. In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.

There is also new evidence that green tea can even help dieters. In November, 1999, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the results of a study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Researchers found that men who were given a combination of caffeine and green tea extract burned more calories than those given only caffeine or a placebo.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), green tea may help to loose and maintain healhty weight. The NIH has published articles about green tean on several small human studies conducted that addressed the use of green tea extract (GTE) capsules for weight loss or weight maintenance in overweight or average weight individuals. Although study results are mixed, ongoing research will continue to show the many benefits of green tea. I personally drink 8 cups of green tea per day to keep belly weight off. I also take daily supplements of EGCG. Here is the link to theNational Center of Complementary Medicine which is under the NIH organization. This is a great site to learn more about latest research underway with herbs and supplements http://nccam.nih.gov/health/greentea/

January 8, 2009 - 10:15pm

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