Green Tea For Well Being

It's difficult not to gush about green tea. 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.
More than a decade's worth of research about green tea's health benefits -- particularly its potential to fight cancer and heart disease -- has been more than intriguing, as have limited studies about green tea's role in lowering cholesterol, burning fat, preventing diabetes and stroke, and staving off dementia.

Health Benefits:

·         Lowers Total Cholesterol.

·         Inhibits abnormal formation of blood clots, thus prevents heart attacks & stroke.

·         Decreases blood pressure.

·         Prevents tooth decay.

·         Helps in lowering sugar levels in body.

·         Helps in rheumatoid arthritis.

·         The polyphenols enhance fat oxidation thus helps in burning fat and increasing metabolism.

Harmful Effects?

To date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking green tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee: there are approximately 30 to 60 mg. of caffeine in 6 - 8 ounces of tea, compared to over 100 mg. in 8 ounces of coffee.

How to Brew a Cup of Green Tea:

General Way -

·         Fill a kettle with cold water & bring it to boil.

·         Unplug the kettle & allow it to stand for few seconds.

·         Put your green tea bag (or 1 tsp of loose leaves) in a cup of this water & allow it to steep for upto 3 minutes. (Steeping green tea too hot or too long will result in a bitter, astringent brew).

·         Remove the tea bag & sip your tea full of health.

My Way –

·         Boil water along with lemon grass & mint leaves. Cover the vessel to keep the flavours in.

·         Put the flame off & allow it to stand for few seconds.

·         Put your green tea bag (or 1 tsp of loose leaves) in a cup of this water, cover & allow it to steep for upto 3 minutes.

·         Remove tea bag & add ¼ tsp of lemon juice & ¼ tsp of honey. Enjoy :)

[I read somewhere that lemon in green tea helps in better absorption of its antioxidants & it tastes much better ;)]