|
Green Tea
How You May Benefit:
-
Boost immune functioning
Help stimulate production of "natural viral-killer" cells to enhance immune functioning
-
Detoxify the body
Detoxify and "cleanse" the bodies' organs, especially the liver, which contains most of the harmful toxins
-
Improve cardiovascular health
Potentially guard against heart disease and lower cholesterol and blood pressure
-
Reduce muscle soreness
Relieve bodily aches and pains, possibly due to over-exercising or excessive training
-
Control pain
Relieve the pain of sunburned skin
-
Increase fat metabolism
Increase resting metabolic rate and increase the rate the body burns fat to support weight loss
-
Improve short-term energy
Provide "extra" energy and delay fatigue, maximizing performance under stress
Overview
Chinese herbal green tea has notably become the "supplement of choice" for many seeking greater health and control over their weight. For good reason: not only does it have an interestingly appealing flavor when prepared as tea, science defends some astounding benefits when it's used as a supplement for immune enhancement and fat mobilization.
|
|
Amount:
As a supplement: Green tea is available in tablets and capsules and is most commonly found in thermogenic formulas for weight loss. Most research suggests taking 300 to 600 mg per day of green tea, which should contain up to 97% polyphenol concentrate. (This would be equal to drinking four cups of tea per day.)
As a tea: The average amount of green tea consumed in Asia is approximately three to four cups per day; thus, that's the amount typically consumed for beneficial effects. To brew the tea, combine one teaspoon of tea leaves with one cup of boiling water, let steep for three minutes, and drink.
As a topical: The wet green tea leaves can be directly applied to sunburned skin as needed for pain relief.
Tip: When choosing a green tea, it is best to look for the measurement of polyphenols, which are believed to be responsible for green tea's benefits. Three cups of tea per day should provide around 240 to 300 mg of the polyphenols.
Timing: When tea is consumed with or right before meals, it is believed to inhibit the formation of cancer-causing agents. Consequently, the custom of drinking green tea with meals in Japan has been suggested to be the main reason for their low cancer rates.
|
|
Defending our bodies against daily stress can help us become more productive both at work and in the gym. And, new research has shown green tea may help our bodies burn more calories, faster, which is why it's showing up in more and more fat-loss formulas.
|
Safety Information
Toxicity:
None known. But, as with all caffeine-containing supplements, one should try not to consume too much before bedtime, as it might interfere with your ability to sleep.
Bans and Restrictions:
None reported.
|
References
Benzie, I.F., et al., "Consumption of Green Tea Causes Rapid Increase in Plasma Antioxidant Power in Humans," Nutr Cancer 34.1 (1999) : 83-7.
Dulloo, A.G., et al., "Efficacy of a Green Tea Extract Rich in Catechin Polyphenols and Caffeine in Increasing 24-h Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation in Humans," Amer J Clin Nutr 70.6 (1999) : 1040-5.
Dulloo, A.G., et al., "Green Tea and Thermogenesis: Interactions Between Catechin-Polyphenols, Caffeine and Sympathetic Activity," Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 24.2 (2000) : 252-8.
Imai, K., and Nakachi, K., "Cross Sectional Study of Effects of Drinking Green Tea on Cardiovascular and Liver Diseases (see comments)," BMJ 310.6981 (1995) : 693-6.
Serafini, M., et al., "In Vivo Antioxidant Effect of Green Tea in Man," Eur J Clin Nutr 50.1 (1996) : 28-32.
You, S.Q., "Study on Feasibility of Chinese Green Tea Polyphenols (CTP) for Preventing Dental Caries," Chung Hau Kou Chiang Hsueh Tsa Chin 28.4 (1993) : 197-9.
|
Find the answers fast!
...with the world's most comprehensive online
Supplement Review, with complete in-depth profiles on over 120 supplements
at your fingertips!
View All Supplements
|