Green Tea Extract: Perfect for a Holistic Life
This Ancient Chinese Herbal Tonic has Numerous Health Benefits
Oct 29, 2009
Green tea extract has roots in China and Japan and has been used for many years as a holistic tonic known for its benefits for better overall health. It is derived from a plant called Camellia sinensis in Asia.
According to Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy in her article “What is Green Tea?,“ green tea extract and black tea extract are derived from the same plant. The difference is that green tea is less processed. This allows green tea to preserve more of its nutrients than black tea. Among the essential nutrients that stay intact are its valuable antioxidants.
Powerful Antioxidants
It wasn’t until recent times that this plant moved west and found itself in the United States and Canada. Green tea extract has been known to be an excellent weight loss herbal tea, helps with a number of health issues, and has a fruition of antioxidants which make it an ideal supplement for many people.
What is the Magic Ingredient?
According to Rhonda Parkinson in her article “The Miracle of Green Tea,” the magic ingredient is a powerful antioxidant called catechin polyphenols, also known as epigallocatechin gallate, (EGCG). This ingredient helps to ward off cancer cells without causing damage to healthy tissue.
Numerous Health Benefits
Just like many of the all natural supplements derived from plants, this powerful Chinese herb has a number of health benefits that many people favor. It is an excellent source of antioxidants, helps with strengthening the immune system, prevents cancer and heart disease and is an excellent weight loss aide.
One of the many benefits that green tea extract has on the human body is that it is said to have curative effects. Some of these benefits are that it helps build a stronger immune system. This can be used as a supplement during the cold season to help in the prevention of the common cold.
The American Cancer Society has done research on the many benefits of this powerful antioxidant and it has been used to treat and prevent diseases such as cancer and has also been known to inhibit the process of Alzheimer’s disease.
Green tea extract has also been shown to help lower bad levels of cholesterol, better known as LDL. It has even been known for preventing tooth decay.
In addition, green tea extract has been known for preventing the formation of abnormal blood clots, which is the main cause for heart attacks.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States, with over 864,480 deaths in 2005, according to the American Heart Association website statistics chart. Of this number, 151,000 of these deaths were people who were under 65 years of age.
Green Tea Diets
Green tea extract has even been used to help aide with weight loss and can be used in supplement form or as a weight loss herbal tea. It can be served as a hot or cold beverage or taken as a supplement. There are even diets named after this Chinese herb, called green tea diets. In this diet, this herb is incorporated into the dieting regime.
According to a study performed in November of 1999 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in Switzerland, researchers discovered that participants that were given the green tea extract actually burned more calories then those who were given a placebo.
As many people know, the ability to burn more calories is essential in weight loss. Many avid users of this herb also report to have less jittery effects when compared to other dietary supplements. This factor alone makes it a favorite among many people who are trying to lose weight.
Side Effects
The only known side effect of green tea extract is that it does contain caffeine, so it may cause problems with sleeping. Other than this, it has not been documented to have any other side effects (Parkinson).
So there you have it, an all natural holistic tonic, called green tea extract, a favorite among many health conscious individuals. It helps with a number of health issues and is a good all natural supplement to incorporate into anyone's lifestyle.
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