Health Benefits of Green Tea

Probe of new drink Enviga calorie-burning claims by Coca-Cola and Nestle started - International Herald Tribune

2007-02-06T11:55:00.000+08:00

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Monday said his office was investigating claims by Coca-Cola and Nestle that their new drink can burn calories, saying it may amount to "voodoo nutrition."

Blumenthal's investigation focuses on Enviga, a green-tea drink that contains caffeine, calcium and a green tea extract known as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. Coke says EGCG speeds up metabolism and increases energy use, especially when combined with caffeine.

An Enviga Web site claims that the drink's blend of green tea and caffeine burns more calories than it contains and can help drinkers maintain an ideal weight. According to a Nestle study, young people who drank three of the 12-ounce (336-gram) drinks a day burned an average of 106 calories.

Drinking Green Tea May Help Acne Sufferers

2006-12-30T21:10:00.000+08:00

The many health benefits of green tea have been well documented in recent times by researchers all over the world. Green tea is used by the Chinese as a traditional medicine to treat many ailments and to improve general well-being. But does it provide an effective herbal alternative to modern treatment for acne?

There are only two herbal treatments that are known to be effective in treating acne, and green tea is one of them.

In a recent study by Jennifer Gan-Wong, M.D. a green tea cream was trailed against a 4% benzoyl peroxide solution on people suffering with moderate to severe acne. The results from this research study showed that green tea was just as good in treating acne as benzoyl peroxide.

But benzoyl peroxide dries out skin causing itching or allergic reactions. Unlike green tea that has the added advantages of natural anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at fighting free radicals.

Green tea also helps to reduce inflammation, hormonal activity and aids in detoxification - which is all good news for acne sufferers.

Green tea extract is an extremely versatile herbal supplement - it can be administered topically, often being used in creams, taken as a in the form of a pill or incorporated into your diet and drunk as a tea.

This last method is very popular (Green Tea with Honeysuckle is often known as Pimple Tea in many Chinatowns) when drunk after a meal it aids digestion and helps to detoxify your system, getting rid of the toxins that can cause acne. Tip: dont drink it with sugar, this will neutralize the worthwhile effects of the tea.

It seems that drinking green tea for acne is a win-win situation. It has many beneficial properties which promote good all-round health with little or no known side effects and for the price, it's definitely a herbal treatment thats worth trying.

Research Highlights Benefits Of Green Tea

2006-12-07T22:18:00.000+08:00

"When the days are very hot I drink green tea, because when I drink another tea it doesn't quench my thirst, but green tea does," says one Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, resident who asked to be identified only by his first name, Alisher. "I like to drink green tea when it's hot, and I've heard it's good for your health."

Millions of people already drink it for pleasure, or thirst.

But as Alisher points out, there's growing evidence green tea is good for you, too.

Reducing Cancer Risk

"I can tell you that if you are a [laboratory] rat, you should be drinking lots of tea, it will reduce your risk of cancer," says Jeffrey Blumberg, a nutritional scientist at Tufts University.

"There have been a number of laboratory studies that have shown that green tea may have an effect on inflammatory conditions like arthritis, on cognitive problems like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases," Blumberg continues. "Some studies have suggested that people who consume more tea have a lower risk of bone fracture, that is it may reduce osteoporosis, and there have been a number of studies particularly from the U.K. that suggest that adolescents and teenagers who drink tea have a lower instance of dental cavities. But the strongest reports to date are those that suggest that tea may reduce our risk of heart disease."

The Asia Phenomenon

In particular, researchers say, green tea might explain why some Asian countries have high smoking rates, but relatively few deaths from heart disease or lung cancer, both of them smoking-related diseases.

Japan, for instance, has about half the death rate from heart disease as the United States, even though the Japanese smoke far more cigarettes.

Bauer Sumpio calls this the Asian paradox. Sumpio, who published a review article on the topic last month, says the explanation might lie in all the green tea people in Asian countries drink.

"They sit at their desk or wherever they work, with a big tall glass or jar and in the beginning of the day they put a handful of green tea leaves there and add hot water in it, and when they finish drinking that they'll add more hot water to it and they do that throughout the day," Sumpio says.

How It Works

Sumpio, a vascular surgeon at Yale University, says green tea contains chemicals called polyphenols -- and one in particular called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

EGCG is an antioxidant that neutralizes harmful particles known as "free radicals" that can damage cells in the body.

"It's thought that this is what confers beneficial effects in terms of both the cardiovascular system as well as in some cancer cells, there's a lot of evidence that some of these cancer cells, at least in the laboratory, can be inhibited from growing when you add these polyphenols to them," Sumpio says.

The evidence that green tea is good for you is not yet rock solid.

Blumberg of Tufts says all tea, whether green, white, oolong, or black, comes from the same bush, so the health benefits should actually be the same.

Growing Popularity

Whatever the case may be, its reputed health benefits have led to green tea growing in popularity in some western countries like the United States.

Kevin Moore sells green tea all around the world from his company in Fukushima, Japan.

"I've been involved in Japan for 20 years; my wife is Japanese," Moore says. "When I was going to college at Arizona State University, I was looking for a side business to do. As I was familiar with Japan and green tea -- it was very hard to find a good green tea in 1998, actually it's still hard to find a good green tea in the United States -- I started doing it as a side business, and I guess my timing was right as it's boomed ever since then."

Green tea, though, is not everyone's cup of tea.

But there's good news for those who don't like the taste.

Other foods - chocolate, red wine, apples, and vegetables like turnips and cabbage - contain some similar chemical compounds.

~Ainura Asankojoeva of RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service and staff at the Bishkek bureau contributed to this report

Green Tea Concentrate

2006-11-29T20:50:00.000+08:00

It is now a well known fact that green tea is one of the healthiest beverages. The one thing that a lot of people do not understand is how much green tea is necessary. I have always wondered about this myself. I have been drinking green tea for a long time, but have I really had enough? When I first heard about concentrated green tea, I thought it was a stupid idea. Why would you take green tea and turn it into green tea concentrate, I wondered? But then I read some of the research, and grew to realize how important green tea concentrate is for your health. Although drinking green tea alone is good for you, it really just does not have quite enough of the good stuff. If you want to get your full dose of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, you really cannot do without green tea concentrate.

Green tea concentrate is good for almost everything, and that is a fact. Not only will it strengthen your immune system, it will give you more energy and vitality, and even protect you from a wide range of health problems as you grow older. Green tea concentrate is good for all kinds of things. The antioxidants in green tea concentrated will protect you against cancer, heart disease, and many other things as well, at least according to some experts. I am inclined to believe them. Since I have been drinking green tea concentrate, I have felt better than at any point in my life.

Of course, green tea concentrate is no substitute for the other pleasures of tea. As an avid tea drinker, I can tell you that the health benefits are only half of the picture. Just because you begin to take green tea concentrate, does not mean that you should give up drinking green tea. On the contrary, the only thing that is more wonderful than the effects of green tea on the health of the body as a whole is its taste. You really just have to try it to believe it.

Here are some examples of green tea concentrate products.

Boost Your Brainpower With Green Tea

2006-11-11T23:56:00.000+08:00

~ By Jon Herring

Green tea is one of the oldest - and healthiest - beverages in the world. A recent study of more than 1,000 people in Japan showed that the more green tea the subjects drank the lower their odds were of having cognitive impairment.

In addition to boosting your brainpower, green tea is brimming with nutrients that have been shown to fight viruses, slow aging, and protect against cancer and heart disease. Its most powerful antioxidant, EGCG, has been shown to be significantly more potent than vitamin C, vitamin E, and resveratrol (the healthy compound found in red wine).

While most people drink it hot, green tea is also a refreshing summer treat. Try it over ice with a wedge of lemon.

~ Copyright ETR, LLC 2006

Green Tea: A Better Pick-Me-Up

2006-11-11T23:39:00.000+08:00

~By Al Sears, MD

In the last message, I told you about some of the remarkable properties of green tea. And I mentioned that in Japan, where green tea is enjoyed every day, people have the longest lifespans of any country. Well, I convinced myself. So I switched from my usual morning coffee to a cup of strongly brewed green tea.

I've noticed a surprising benefit. The tea wakes me out of my morning stupor like coffee - but unlike coffee, instead of making me feel a little nervous and shaky, the green tea makes me feel calm.

So I did some research. How can a caffeinated drink make you feel calm?

Here's the secret: It's an amino acid called l-theanine. Found in tea leaves, l-theanine reverses the stimulating effects of caffeine on certain aspects of your nervous system.

L-theanine doesn't make theta waves, the kind that put you to sleep. Instead, this nutrient works in your brain by making alpha waves. This creates a feeling of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to meditation. Other benefits include improved memory and learning ability. (And here's good news if you don't like green tea: You can get the benefit of l-theanine in a supplement.)

In one study, researchers saw alpha waves appear within 40 minutes of people taking 50 mg of l-theanine. Another study found that a dose of 200 mg of l-theanine produced more alpha waves than the 50 mg dose. This time, the effect occurred in only 30 minutes and lasted for eight to 10 hours.

Start at 50 mg and work up to 200 mg if needed. Don't take more than 600 mg in a six-hour period.

[Ed. Note: Dr. Sears, a practicing physician and the author of The Doctor's Heart Cure and 12 Secrets to Virility, is a leading authority on longevity, physical fitness, and heart health.]

~ Copyright ETR, LLC 2006

Could Green Tea Help You Live Longer?

2006-11-11T23:32:00.000+08:00

~ By Al Sears, MD

You may have heard that Japan has the highest percentage of centenarians (people aged 100 or above) of any country in the world. Japan's Health Ministry just released the latest figures, and there are more than 28,000 centenarians living there today. More than double the number here in the U.S. There are probably many reasons (including a diet high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids), but I find it intriguing that 80 percent of them drink green tea every day.

You've read about the healthful properties of green tea many times. For one thing, it's high in polyphenols. These antioxidants help protect your cells from the "fire" of daily metabolism.

A new study of more than 40,000 Japanese men and women indicated that those who drink a lot of green tea do live longer. The research also revealed that green tea may protect against heart disease. And the more you drink, the better. Those who drank five or more cups a day had rates of heart disease 16 percent lower than those who drank only one cup a day - and their rates of death were 26 percent lower.

I usually prefer tea made from the whole herb - but if you don't like to drink it, green tea extract is available at most health food stores. I recommend 500 mg to 700 mg daily. (Check the label before you buy to make sure it has the antioxidant EGCG, which is 25 to 100 times more powerful than vitamins E and C.) But remember ... green tea has a moderate amount of caffeine.

- Copyright ETR, LLC 2006

Green Tea - A Natural Remedy For Acne?

2006-11-03T10:05:00.000+08:00

Natural remedies have become very popular in recent years. People have stopped looking at the expensive medications and creams to cure various conditions, and have started looking at remedies found closer to home. This is, in part, because they are less expensive, but they are also on hand and easily obtained.

Acne is a common condition in teens and adults alike, and is no exception to the theory that a home remedy can sometimes be better. If it's worked for many years, why wouldn't it work now? One such remedy believed to aid in the healing of acne is green tea.

Green tea is used by the Chinese as a traditional medicine to treat many ailments including acne and to improve general well-being. But does it provide an effective herbal alternative to modern medication? The answer seems to be 'Yes'. There are only two herbal treatments that are known to be effective in treating acne and green tea is one of them.

While many teas are fermented, green tea instead, is steamed soon after being picked so as to prevent the oxidation of its leaves. This helps to retain the active substances the leaves contain. Camellia Sinensis, or as we know it, green tea extract, contains a high content of Polyphenol, along with other important antioxidants.

Green tea can serve many purposes, and it is recommended for a number of reasons. It acts as an anti-bacterial substance, decreasing hormonal activity. Since acne is often caused by hormones, which produce excess oil and clog pores, thereby causing blemishes, green tea could be a good remedy for this problem.

The antioxidents contained in green tea have been shown as very beneficial to acne prevention because they help the body fight against free radicals that cause cell and tissue damage. Green tea also has very few potential side effects, especially when compared to other acne products and medications.

Because of its advantages, green tea is also used in various creams and other topical products used to treat acne. When compared with other commonly used acne treatments, it ranked high, because of its natural anti-bacterial properties.

Other products containing green tea extract are also sold and developed, and are available as herbal remedies. It can be purchased as a cream. Green Tea and honeysuckle is often called "Pimple Tea" in China. It also helps your body rid itself of toxins, which helps prevent acne.

It is also easily available. It can be purchased in most stores that carry various herbal and other natural remedies, and can also be bought through many on-line sources. It comes in the form of tea that you drink, or can be purchased in the form of the cream mentioned above.

Drinking green tea will help cleanse your body from the inside out, while applying the topical cream, which goes directly onto the skin, will help cure and prevent acne at the source. No matter how you choose to use it, it can serve many purposes, and may be a welcome alternative to harsh products or unwanted medications.

Instant Green Tea Catching On - From Lipton and Gold Peak

2006-10-26T11:46:00.000+08:00

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The latest instant beverage that everybody is jumping on is green tea. That includes little pouches of diet instant tea to pour into your bottled water. Hot on the heels of Coca-Cola's Enviga, Lipton's new product, Iced Tea To Go, is a zero calorie, sugar free iced tea mix in a convenient packet packed with 80mgs of protective flavonoid Antioxidants per serving.

One packet of Lipton's (from a box of 10 - each enough for a 16-ounce bottle) is about 29 cents at a discount supermarket. Each packet costs about 75 percent more than the same amount of their similar mixes from bulk jars.

The convenience of being able to carry a packet in a pocket or purse, to pop into a bottle of cold water wherever you are, might be worth the extra 15 cents or so.

Enter a new brand - Gold Peak Iced Tea

Over in the ready-brewed iced-tea aisle, new brand Gold Peak, also has Instant Classic Green Tea among its range of Classic Iced Teas. Gold Peak provides a bottled version for enthusiasts of home-styled iced tea. The product will be offered in a 16.9 oz carafe-like glass bottle.

Who makes it? The website, under "About Gold Peak" says "Gold Peak is like any other town you may have a sparkle of memory for and long to be. It's where clouds make shapes and porches make quiet creaks. Where the weather is mild and people are nice, and there's always time to stop for a chat." It goes on like that for a while, but what neither website nor bottle says is that Gold Peak is the product of a Coca-Cola/Nestlé joint venture.

DSM Introduces New Green Tea Extract Called TeaVigo

2006-10-24T10:26:00.000+08:00

At the recent Supply Side West International Trade Show and Conference in Las Vegas, DSM Nutritional Products, Inc, a premier nutritional ingredient supplier announced a new product called TEAVIGO™. It is touted as a natural EGCG purified from green tea extract and is self-affirmed GRAS (GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE). Now more food and beverage manufacturers will be able to capitalize on the healthful properties of green tea.

Research suggests that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate), the major active component in green tea, is associated with antioxidant and weight management benefits. DSM develops EGCG from green tea extract utilizing patented technology, enabling TEAVIGO™ to offer the benefits of green tea without affecting taste. TEAVIGO™ is 100% natural with an EGCG content of up to 94%, the highest level on the market.

Proven safe and effective, the high purity of TEAVIGO™ enables supplement manufacturers to formulate more EGCG into smaller dosage forms. Suitable for a broad range of applications, TEAVIGO™ can be included in beverages, energy bars, confections, cereals and dietary supplements.

Green Tea May Protect Women From Cancer

2006-10-20T10:13:00.000+08:00

Not only is green tea a great source of powerful antioxidants, new research suggests it is one of your strongest allies in the fight against cancer.

According to the International Journal of Cancer, Chinese researchers - led by Dr. Ann W. Hsing - found that women who drank at least one cup per day for at least six months lowered their risk of bile stones by 27 percent, gallbladder cancer by 44 percent, and bile duct cancer by 35 percent. In her report, Dr. Hsing explained that green tea contains certain chemicals that may prevent cells from growing abnormally (which is how cancer cells form).

For best results, brew green tea yourself and avoid store-bought brands, which may contain added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. If you don't care for the taste (which some people characterize as bitter), you can take green tea extract in supplement form.

Benefits of Drinking Green Tea For Women

2006-10-17T12:57:00.000+08:00

When it comes to fighting cancer, especially breast cancer, USC Preventive Medicine experts say go for green tea instead of black.

Dr. Anna Wu examined the dietary habits of Asian American women. She found those who drank green tea exclusively showed the most benefit.

"They had about a 40 percent reduction in risk of breast cancer and these were women who were daily tea drinkers," Wu said.

Both green and black tea are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, but black tea is fermented much longer than green tea, a process that destroys certain polyphenols. USC researchers say these specific tea compounds lower the estrogen levels in women's blood, while black tea elevates it. This is key because estrogen has been found to promote the growth of some breast cancers.

In fact women who drank only black tea showed no reduction in risk," Wu said.

With this in mind, Dr. Wu wants to gather even more evidence about green tea's effect on a woman's estrogen level.

She's enrolling non tea drinkers in a new study to find out how much tea a woman needs to drink to gain a protective effect.

"The lower dose is probably about four to five cups. The higher dose is probably about eight or nine cups which is not unlike what the Japanese women were drinking," Wu said.

Dr. Wu's latest green tea study is still ongoing, but in the meantime she says she would definitely recommend women start drinking more green tea.

Can Coca Cola's Enviga Green Tea Really Burn Calories?

2006-10-14T18:17:00.000+08:00

Next month Coca Cola will launch the soft drink that goes a step further than any sugar-free, calorie-free inventions - by apparently burning calories as you guzzle it.

Bringing new hope to gym-phobes everywhere, Nestle and Coca-Cola have created Enviga, a sparkling green tea containing a combination of ingredients - crucially green tea extracts and caffeine - which, it is claimed, work with the human body to increase calorie burning.

According to the makers, consumers who fall within the lean to normal weight range can burn between 60-100 calories by drinking three cans of Enviga. With each can containing five calories, consuming the drink leads to a "negative calorie effect", they say.

Scientists in Switzerland tested the product and found consumers in the lean-to-normal weight range burned 60 to 100 more calories by drinking the equivalent of three cans of Enviga a day.

"It represents the perfect partnership of science and nature," said Dr Rhona Applebaum, chief scientist at The Coca-Cola Company.

"Enviga contains the optimum blend of green tea extracts (EGCG), caffeine and naturally active plant micronutrients designed to work with your body to increase calorie burning, thus creating a negative calorie effect. It makes this product stand out as unique."

The makers say that the claims are backed by studies undertaken in collaboration with the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, in which research showed that consuming the equivalent of three Enviga beverages over the course of a day resulted in a noticeable increase in calorie burning.

"The accumulated body of scientific research shows the ability of green tea's powerful antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) to speed up metabolism and increase energy use, especially when combined with caffeine," said Dr Hilary Green, a researcher for Nestlé.

Dr Thomas Stuttaford, The Times Doctor, said that the claims were plausible but that those hoping the drink would be a magic wand to instant thinness would be sorely disappointed.

"There are many factors that influence the metabolic rate. The most obvious is increased exercise," he said.

"If three glasses of the new drink has an effect of reducing the calories consumed by the body by 60-100, it is not going to make a fundamental difference. The average person doing a sedentary job needs between 1500-2000 calories a day, while a minor might need between 3500 and 4000. So drinking three glasses of the drink is not going to make a fat person skinny.

"The good news though is that unlike most drinks, this one won’t be fattening and make you gain calories. Also, green tea has value, mixed or unmixed with caffeine, in that as an anti-oxidant, it has marked cardio-protective qualities."

Dr Joanne Lunn, Nutrition Scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, added that previous studies supported the benefits of drinking green tea.

"Evidence is accumulating to suggest that green tea may contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. Green tea has also been linked with body weight control and has been said to show antibacterial and antiviral activity," she told Times Online.

"However, although all the evidence from research on green tea is very promising, more large-scale human intervention studies are necessary to fully understand its contributions to human health."

The new drink will be sold in individual 12-ounce cans, as well as six-can and 12-can multi-packs. Customers can choose from three flavours – green tea, berry and peach.

It will be available in north-eastern parts of the US from next month. The rest of the world will have to wait to see whether the drink can live up to its promise. New Yorkers will be among the first consumers to judge for themselves when the drink, costing $1.29 to $1.49, hits stores Nov. 6.

Enviga - Coke's Calorie-Burner to Hit Shelves

2006-10-12T16:48:00.000+08:00

Enviga, Coca-Cola's new calorie-burning green tea, will be stocked on store shelves in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia next month, the company announced Wednesday.

The carbonated tea in Green Tea, Citrus, Peach and Berry flavors will roll-out nationwide in January and February. It will be introduced in Latin America, Europe and Asia later.

The company and its tea partner, Nestle, say three cans of the 5-calorie carbonated drink will burn between 60 and 100 calories in healthy adults age 18-35. The company is billing it as a "negative calorie" drink, calling it a breakthrough product.

The Atlanta-based company said the drink contains caffeine, calcium and a green tea extract known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which speeds up metabolism and increases energy use, especially when combined with caffeine.

Coca-Cola hopes to jump-start trailing tea sales with its newest offering, which promises to jump-start your metabolism, too.

Discover Japan’s Simple Longevity Secret - Green Tea

2006-10-08T21:42:00.000+08:00

Could Green Tea Help You Live Longer?
- By Al Sears, MD

You may have heard that Japan has the highest percentage of centenarians (people aged 100 or above) of any country in the world. Japan's Health Ministry just released the latest figures, and there are more than 28,000 centenarians living there today. More than double the number in the U.S. There are probably many reasons (including a diet high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids), but I find it intriguing that 80 percent of them drink green tea every day.

You've read about the healthful properties of green tea many times. For one thing, it's high in polyphenols. These antioxidants help protect your cells from the "fire" of daily metabolism.

A new study of more than 40,000 Japanese men and women indicated that those who drink a lot of green tea do live longer. The research also revealed that green tea may protect against heart disease. And the more you drink, the better. Those who drank five or more cups a day had rates of heart disease 16 percent lower than those who drank only one cup a day - and their rates of death were 26 percent lower.

I usually prefer tea made from the whole herb - but if you don't like to drink it, green tea extract is available at most health food stores. I recommend 500 mg to 700 mg daily. (Check the label before you buy to make sure it has the antioxidant EGCG, which is 25 to 100 times more powerful than vitamins E and C.) But remember ... green tea has a moderate amount of caffeine.

(Source: Reuters)

Better Health in Asians Compared with Americans Linked to Green Tea

2006-10-06T21:04:00.000+08:00

Yale University researchers writing in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons are offering a body of evidence linking green tea to better heart health and a lower risk of cancer.

Researchers indicates that green tea's high concentration of antioxidants called catechins may offer a range of health benefits, especially for smokers, according to Dr. Bauer E. Sumpio and his colleagues at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.

In Asian countries it is a social custom to drink green tea, which is less processed and richer in catechins than the black tea commonly consumed in the West. The results are that, even with Asia's high rate of smoking, only half as many die each year from coronary heart disease than their American counterparts.

Lab studies also suggest that EGCG and other green tea antioxidants may block tumor formation or growth in a number of ways, explaining why the lung cancer death rate in Korea is so surprisingly low.

The rate of lung cancer death among Korean men is less than 40 per 100,000, versus 67 per 100,000 among U.S. men, and among women 13 per 100,000 in Korea compared with 45 per 100,000 in the U.S.

37 percent of Korean adults smoke compared to 27 percent of Americans.

Should cream, sugar, honey or sweeteners be used with green tea?

2006-10-06T20:56:00.000+08:00

This is a question that has been asked quite often. Green tea is unlike black tea in that it is always meant to be consumed straight with no additives. In Asia it is unheard of to add cream, sugar or any sweeteners. These additives will only add unwanted calories or, with artificial sweeteners, disrupt the delicate taste.

Green tea is delicious when you drink it straight. A cup of good sencha, gyokuro, or matcha can make a delightful morning beverage or an invigorating beverage in the afternoon!

Zen - A Touch of Green Tea

2006-09-30T09:41:00.000+08:00

TORONTO -- Green tea's growing popularity now extends to a new spirit available on the Canadian liqueur market. Made from Kyoto green tea leaves, premium herbs and other natural flavours such as lemon grass, Zen brings the essence of ceremonial Japanese green tea to the public. "As the interest in Japanese food and culture continues to grow, so does the popularity of green tea, making it an ideal time to incorporate the flavour of green tea into a premium liquor," says Tess Michelis, marketing manager for Corby Distilleries, maker of the product. Zen can be chilled straight, on the rocks or mixed.

Who’s Your Daddy Issues 3Q Revenue Guidance of Record 400% Increase from Prior Quarter Helped by New Green Tea Drink

2006-09-28T21:11:00.000+08:00

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Who's Your Daddy, Inc. today announces that the company expects sharp increases in sales for the third quarter ending September 30, 2006.

The company expects gross sales for the third quarter to increase by over four hundred percent (400%) with sales expected to exceed $780,000, up from $183,000 in the prior quarter.

The record sales are attributed to the company’s Regular and Sugar Free “King of Energy” Drinks gaining both increased distribution and market penetration during the quarter, as well as the introduction of the company’s newest energy drink flavor – Green Tea.

Edon Moyal, CEO, said, “The exceptional performance of the company’s ‘King of Energy’ Drinks are reflected in record sales which we expect to more than quadruple from the prior quarter.

“During the third quarter numerous new distribution partnerships were established across the country, which enabled the accelerated expansion of our distributor network. We also introduced the Green Tea flavored Who’s Your Daddy ‘King of Energy’ Drink during the third quarter. These were significant milestones for the company and the results we believe are in the revenues.”

Mr. Moyal continued, “We are extremely pleased with the revenue growth this quarter and believe that the fourth quarter will again be a new record setting quarter for the company due in part to the recently established production credit facility and the ongoing expansion of top-tier distributors.”

Who's Your Daddy, Inc. (www.whosyourdaddyinc.com) (www.kingofenergy.com) is a publicly traded company that designs and licenses a variety of products centered on its trademark-protected brand, “Who's Your Daddy.” The Company holds multiple trademark rights to the name “Who's Your Daddy” in the United States and Europe. In addition to the “King of Energy” Drink, which is manufactured, promoted and sold exclusively by the Company, the Company holds licensing rights for more than 300 products in the U.S. and Europe, and is expanding internationally. The “Who's Your Daddy” range of product offerings are designed to appeal to young men, women and sports fans who strive for “style with authority.” Who's Your Daddy, Inc. is traded under the WYDY stock ticker.

Green Tea & Black Coffee - A Healthy Pairing

2006-09-24T10:38:00.000+08:00

Coffee or tea? There's a growing body of research to suggest that both are probably good for you.

We've heard a lot about the health benefits of tea, especially green tea. It is high in polyphenols--compounds with strong antioxidant activity that in test-tube and animal models show anticancer and heart-protective effects. Good clinical studies are few, however, and although I and other physicians tell our patients to drink green tea, there hasn't been any definitive proof of the value of that advice.

That's why I was so interested in a report last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association. A team of Japanese researchers was able to link green-tea consumption with decreased mortality from all causes - including cardiovascular disease.

Full story at >> TIME.com: Green Tea, Black Coffee -- Sep. 25, 2006

Enviga - Coca Cola's Plan For a Green Tea Drink

2006-09-23T20:01:00.000+08:00

Coca-Cola's feeling the burn, and not just from the ever-hot competition posed by PepsiCo.

Coke later this year plans to introduce Enviga, a green tea drink that will claim to have calorie buring powers. Beverage Digest reported Friday that Enviga will appear first in New York and Philadelphia.

The drink, developed by Coke and partner Nestle, has been in the works since last year.

As usual, Coke won't say much about the new product, which was discussed during a meeting with U.S. bottlers in Atlanta last week.

Coke North America spokesman Ray Crockett said there was "nothing" he could say about the latest reports on Enviga.

Enviga is among many products in the works at Coke. PepsiCo, meanwhile, is developing its own host of new drinks.

~ The Atlanta Journal

Green Tea Component Helps Kill Leukemia Cells

2006-09-17T14:45:00.000+08:00

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered that a component in green tea helps kill cells of the most common leukemia in the United States.

The research using laboratory cell cultures shows that a component of green tea known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) helps kill leukemia cells by interrupting the communication signals they need to survive.

The leukemia cells studied were from patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) -- most often diagnosed in patients in their mid-to-late 60s.
Currently, there is no cure for CLL, though chemotherapy is administered in the most severe cases. The Mayo Clinic study, led by Neil E. Kay, M.D., shows that green tea’s EGCG interrupted survival signals, prompting leukemia cells to die in eight of 10 patient samples tested in the laboratory.

About the Leukemia called CLL

CLL affects individuals differently in the pace at which it progresses. Some patients may live with it for decades and not require treatment, while others need immediate treatment, and some die within months despite therapy.

Because the course of the CLL is so individualistic and unpredictable, physicians have historically adopted an attitude of “watchful waiting” with early-
stage CLL patients. This rationale -- to spare elderly patients exposure to toxic chemotherapy -- has been challenged recently as new tests have improved physicians’ ability to identify early stage patients who have a more aggressive form of the cancer.

Significance of the Mayo Clinic Finding

The CLL characteristics make this finding even more important, as it suggests a new, nontoxic treatment.
First author Yean K. Lee comments, “With these findings we may be able to pursue the idea of culling out early-stage patients who have historically not been treated and perhaps use an EGCG-based treatment. That’s our next step with our research.”

Mayo Clinic CLL researcher Tait D. Shanafelt, M.D., is likewise encouraged. “Our research goal is to identify new treatments for CLL that have a favorable side effect profile and can be used in patients with early stage disease to prevent progression. I think we’re getting there.”

Why Green Tea?

Mayo Clinic researchers focused on green tea for at least three reasons. One, since the 1970s, epidemiological studies of cancer have shown that in parts of the world where green tea is consumed, the incidence of solid tumor cancers such as breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancers is lower. Secondly, mouse-model testing of green tea’s cancer-prevention properties has shown they protect against solid tumors. And three, in the laboratory,
the EGCG component of green tea has been proven to induce death in cancer cells from solid tumors.

The Mayo Clinic research suggests EGCG works by inhibiting a pathway in the leukemia cells related to angiogenesis -- the complex process that maintains nourishing blood flow to a biological structure, in this case a cancer cell.

THE ARTICLE IS PROVIDED BY THE MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH AND THAT THE SERVICE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION OF BUSINESS ANYWHERE ON BEHALF OF MAYO CLINIC

Green Tea Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular disease

2006-09-12T20:58:00.000+08:00

For the first time, scientists have found that green tea is apt to slow brain aging, help prevent declining memory, cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's.

Adults in Japan who consumed higher amounts of green tea had a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, according to a study in the current issue of JAMA.

Just last month, a European study found that drinking tea is a healthier choice than almost any beverage, including pure water.

Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world aside from water, with three billion kilograms of tea produced each year worldwide. Because of the high rates of tea consumption in the global population, even small effects in humans could have large implications for public health.

Among teas, green tea polyphenols have been extensively studied as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer chemopreventive agents.

Although substantial evidence from in vitro and animal studies indicates that green tea preparations may impede CVD and carcinogenic processes, the possible protective role of green tea consumption against these diseases in humans remains unclear.

Shinichi Kuriyama, M.D., Ph.D., of the Tohoku University School of Public Policy, Sendai, Japan, and colleagues examined the association between green tea consumption and mortality (death rate) due to all causes, CVD, and cancer within a large population.

The study, initiated in 1994, included 40,530 adults (age 40 to 79 years) in northeastern Japan, where green tea is widely consumed. Within this region, 80 percent of the population drinks green tea and more than half of them consume 3 or more cups a day.

The participants, who had no history of stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer at baseline, were followed for up to 11 years (1995-2005) for all-cause death and for up to 7 years (1995-2001) for cause-specific death.

Over 11 years of follow-up, 4,209 participants died, and over 7 years of follow-up, 892 participants died of cardiovascular disease and 1,134 participants died of cancer. The researchers found that green tea consumption was inversely associated with death due to all causes and due to cardiovascular disease.

Compared with participants who consumed less than 1 cup per day of green tea, those who consumed 5 or more cups per day had a risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality that was 16 percent lower (during 11 years of follow-up) and 26 percent lower (during 7 years of follow-up), respectively.

These inverse associations of all-cause and CVD mortality were stronger among women, although the inverse association for green tea consumption was observed in both sexes.

The researchers found there no significant association between green tea consumption and death from cancer. There were weak or neutral relationships between black tea or oolong tea and mortality.

"Clinical trials are ultimately necessary to confirm the protective effect of green tea on mortality," the authors write.

Positive Effects of Green Tea on Weight Loss

2006-09-11T19:05:00.000+08:00

Over the past few years, green tea and its connection with weight loss has long been the center of various clinical studies. Positive effects of green tea on weight loss have been discovered in recent years.

Studies show that the relation between green tea and weight loss are substantially linked together through the plant’s thermogenic properties. Thermogenesis is the process by which the body produces heat by speeding up metabolism, burning calories,and breaking down fat. Certain substances in green tea are believed to help in the body’s thermogenesis, thus contributing to weight loss.

Maximizing Weight Loss Benefits in Green Tea

A standardized weight loss herbal extract of pure green tea is needed in order to maximize the weight loss benefits of green tea. The market offers several green tea weight loss products that do not use standardized extract. These non-standardized green tea weight loss products are cheaper but do not contain enough active green tea substances to have any significant weight loss benefits.

Scientists and traditional herbalists believe that better weight loss results are achieved when green tea is used in conjunction with other weight loss herbs and with other nutrients. So before buying a green tea weight loss product, it is advisable that you choose a product that contains a rich blend of green tea herbs, minerals and nutrient that aid in weight loss.

Green tea when combined with ginger and olive leaf helps lower cholesterol and promotes weight loss. Green tea helps stop blood vessel constriction while CoQ 10 protects the heart and ensure blood pressure levels. By mixing green tea with CoQ 10, you will not only achieve maximum weight loss but you will also be able maintain the health of several body systems at one time.

The Ideal Green Tea Weight Loss Product

The first thing to make sure of when buying green tea products is to see if the manufacturer of the green tea extract follows strict GMP compliance, the manufacturing standard used throughout the world. Having GMP approval in green tea products assures you that you are getting a product of the highest quality.

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, herbal products such as green tea are considered dietary supplements. This means that the success or effectiveness of these products do not have any guarantees. Companies or manufacturers that claim 100% success in their green tea products are doing false advertising and should not be patronized.

For assurance that you’re getting your money’s worth when you buy a green tea product, find a product that is using standardized green tea extract. Look for strict GMP compliance and make sure that the manufacturer of the green tea product has all the proper credentials in product formulation.

New Evidence That Tea is Good For Health

2006-09-11T18:36:00.000+08:00

It is the news tea addicts have been secretly hoping for all along: tea is a health drink. According to a study published in last month's European Journal of Clinical Nutrition drinking three or more cups a day is not only as good for you as glugging down water but, thanks to a list of extra health benefits, it might even be better.

According to this new research tea can help keep our teeth strong (because of its high fluoride content) and, thanks to its high concentration of a group of antioxidants called polyphenols, it can also strengthen our bones and protect us against heart disease and cancer. And forget the common belief that the caffeine in tea makes it a dehydrating drink. According to the scientists at Kings College London even if you brew up a strong cup the net gain of liquid outweighs the amount it might cause you to loose.

But, while a cup of English Breakfast might be healthier than previously thought, there are other herbal teas that we'd be wise to keep on drinking. Sharing the same high levels of polyphenols as the more processed black variety of tea the health benefits of green leaves have long been documented. Tchai-Ovna, Glasgow's Teahouse in the West End sells some of the purest and most potent. Imported directly from China their Dragon's Eye tea leaves (£2.60 per pot; £7.50 for 100g) are said to be hand rolled by monks to seal in their freshness. And, once they unravel in your cup, they release a refreshing infusion which not only perks you up but tops up those antioxidant levels as well.

But, if you've overdone it with a more toxic drink the night before, you might want to try the new up-and-coming beverage: Vine Tea. Edinburgh's new teahouse Chai has just ordered in a big batch because it's said to be great for hangovers. So, for £4.65 a pot, you get to drink in all the anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties of the Ampelosis grossdentata leaves. And, while you're there, why not stop to have a second cup and try the rare white tea called White Downy Silvery Needle (£6 per pot)? Harvested from mountain trees in the Fujian province in China these tea leaves are picked before they've even burst from the bud and contain a high level of those all-important free radical fighting polyphenols.

~ Source: http://living.scotsman.com

Peddling the Pomegranate

2006-09-04T11:43:00.000+08:00

By ANDREW WEIL, M.D.

All experts on nutrition and health agree that it's wise to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables and that it's particularly important to include such polyphenol-rich foods as red wine, green tea, dark chocolate and extra-virgin olive oil, in addition to berries and pomegranates. I like them all, but the question is whether any one source offers advantages over all others.

Full Story at >> Time.com

Keeping Dementia at Bay With a Healthy Diet and Green Tea

2006-09-03T16:39:00.000+08:00

Until recently, it was believed the odds on someone being afflicted by Alzheimer's or dementia were down to the lottery of the ageing process. But there is now growing evidence that simple changes in lifestyle and eating habits can not only help keep your mind active, but can actually reduce your chances of developing one of these terrible diseases by as much as 50 per cent.

Some experts believe a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, oats, and even certain curries, is the best way of maintaining good mental health for the rest of your life. Dr Paul Clayton, president of the Forum on Food and Health for the Royal Society of Medicine, is among this growing band of scientists who argue that nutrition is the key to better health.

"We have got to the stage now where we can identify what it is about the Mediterranean diet that helps people live longer, healthier lives," he says.

A recent study has shown that those who follow such a diet – one that's rich in oils, fish and fruit, are half as likely to develop dementia as someone who has a typical Western diet.

Dr Clayton examines the link between diet and health in a new book called Pharmageddon, in which he stresses the importance of avoiding junk food and reducing our intake of carbohydrates and sugar. We have known for some time about the physical benefits of a healthy diet, but we're only just starting to understand the impact on our mental well-being. As a nation we are becoming more health-conscious, but we still have a long way to go.

"The British diet is not a good one and it is certainly a diet which is causing a rise in obesity and increasing the risk of diseases such as diabetes and asthma, and dementia is a part of this," says Dr Clayton.

More than 750,000 people in the UK suffer some form of dementia and this figure is predicted to reach 1.8 million by 2050. There are over 100 different types of dementia, with Alzheimer's being the most common. The condition is caused when nerve cells die and it becomes difficult for messages to travel through the brain. Until recently, experts believed that dementia was a by-product of getting older, and could not be prevented.

But more studies are showing that a healthy diet can keep the brain younger. "Eating fruit and vegetables and wholegrain foods will reduce the risk by about half, but if you want to hold on to your marbles into your 80s and 90s and beyond, you can reduce the risk further by adopting a nutritional programme," Dr Clayton says. He claims that a healthy diet along with a new generation of supplements – what he calls a "pharmaco-nutritional programme" – can help prevent the onset of dementia. "If you did that, then I think there is a good chance you would not develop dementia no matter how long you lived."

Berries, green tea and red wine all function as antioxidants that can help protect the brain from the toxic free radicals associated with dementia.

The spice turmeric, often used in curry powder, also possesses key medicinal properties that may halt the disease progressing. "There are other parts of the world, like India, where there are large numbers of old people who do not have dementia and there is a link to the intake of turmeric," says Dr Clayton.

In the latest study, published today in The American Journal of Medicine, experts suggest drinking fruit and vegetable juices regularly could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers followed almost 2,000 people for up to 10 years, and found that the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease was 76 per cent lower among those who drank fruit and vegetable juices more than three times a week, compared with those who drank juices less than once a week. These studies are being welcomed by health charities such as the Alzheimer's Society.

Clive Ballard, director of research at the AS, said: "There is a growing weight of evidence that diet and lifestyle are very important risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. "Some studies suggest that a healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by as much as 40 per cent. "Eating a combined diet of plenty of fruit, vegetables and fish might help to prevent dementia." Mr Ballard believes there are a number of reasons for this.

"It is thought that fruit and vegetables can help to lower blood pressure and that the antioxidants found in them, including Vitamins C and E, could prevent heart disease, lessening the risk of dementia as well as directly affecting potentially brain-damaging free radicals. "As we get older, eating a healthy diet including fresh fruit and vegetables, getting our blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly, taking exercise and watching our weight may all turn out to be important ways of reducing our risk of developing dementia in later life."

~Source: Yorkshire Post

Japan's Agriculture Ministry Encouraging Development Of Healthier Foods

2006-08-29T21:07:00.000+08:00

Japan's agriculture ministry on Monday is encouraging agricultural cooperatives and affiliated organizations to hasten the development of healthier food products.

Among the health products the ministry is promoting are tomatoes with higher than normal lycopene, a carotenoid that is believed to be a potent antioxidant and another is a giant rice germ that is rich in gamma aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which is said to help lower blood pressure.

The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization has reportedly developed such products and the farm industry wants cooperatives and their affiliates to make such products commonly available soon.

Researchers are still conducting more studies on the said products to confirm the health benefits being attributed to them as well as the cost of mass producing it. So far, the development of these products do not include genetic modification techniques.

An example of such product is the green tea, Benifuki, which is said to contain hundred times more methylated catechin of regular green tea. Methylated catechin is thought to help relieve the effects of hay fever.

Soft drink maker Asahi Soft Drinks Co. has started selling tea made from Benifuki that has become so popular that company is struggling to meet demands.

The ministry said it will offer loans and subsidies for the construction of production facilities for new varieties of healthy products, as well as providing technical assistance for the commercialization of such food stuffs.

~ Source: Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent

Tracking Beverage Trends

2006-08-28T11:41:00.000+08:00

America's cravings for foodie thrills, convenience and health converged recently at the 52nd Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City.

Sponsored by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, the event showcased a dizzying abundance of products that look good, taste good, save time and benefit both you and the environment.

Tracking Trends

Three days of tasting, talking and tasting more lead to these predictions about what will be hot in the savvy pantry in coming months:

Drinks: More than 1,000 specialty beverages entered the market last year. "In" drinks include: juices, functional beverages (energy and sports), flavored waters, "pure" waters, soy beverages and unsweetened coffee and tea.

Tea: American tea consumption has doubled in the last five years. Fans sip through an amazing variety of specialty items - black, white, red, green, pu-er (aged), spiced, herbal, fruit-flavored, hot, iced, ready-to-drink, matcha (green tea powder), mate (see below), Kombocha (cultured for enzymes). Tea is also touted as an essential ingredient, adding extra health benefits to products from water to chocolate to a green tea liqueur called Taste of Zen.

Energy: Energy drinks and bars drive an ever-growing niche market. One drink, Celsius, claims that 12 ounces increases your metabolism by 12 percent over three hours. Tea-like Yerbe Mate, an infusion of South American holly leaves, delivers high levels of caffeine and other stimulants appealing to endurance sports athletes and to the otherwise exhausted. Tzu The's new T-Bars offer a natural, sugar-free boost from actual green tea leaves.

Organics: Consumption of organic products rose 22 percent from two years ago, and will continue to accelerate. We now even have organic gin, scotch, rum, candy and pet treats. One Canadian company (www.purefun.ca) offers organic, Kosher and vegan lollipops.

Labels: In keeping with our health and wellness concerns, expect labels broadcasting a superior nutritional profile: reduced fat, no trans fats, no high-fructose corn syrup, low glycemic index, anti-oxidant-rich, whole grain, organic, preservative-free, toxin-free, hormone-free, artisinal, all-natural, Kosher. Also, appealing to the consumer's conscience, products announce such credentials as place of origin, fair trade status, sustainability, rearing conditions (free-range, humanely raised) and charitable commitments.

Spices: African spices jump into the seasoning sizzle, along with Mexican-style salsas, Thai relish, Indian chutneys and Jamaican jerk.

Chocolate: The king of hearts, chocolate continues to capitalize on its cardio-vascular health benefits as incentive to indulge. Look for: single origin beans, dark chocolate, cacao nibs, exotic flavorings, creative truffles, artisinal caramels and sensational sipping chocolate.

Mints: Breath mints go high-profile -- especially with hip tins! Check out ArtCoCo Mint, Hint Mint, Mirror Mints -- with a slide-open tin and a make-up mirror -- and dog-bone shaped Blizzard's Bones, mints for people who want their dog to have fresh breath.

Salts: Did you know there are more than 31 gourmet flavors of salt on this earth (www.artisansalt.com)? The latest trend is to grate bits from a whole rock at the dinner table.

Source: PittsburgLive.com

Do antioxidants make tea healthier than water?

2006-08-26T18:20:00.000+08:00

~ By Stephen Daniells

The antioxidant content of tea could mean that drinking three or more cups a day could reduce the risk of a wide range of health problems, ranging from cancer to heart disease, and may even be healthier than water, says a review from Britain.

"Drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water. Water is essentially replacing fluid. Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so its got two things going for it," reviewer Dr Carrie Ruxton from Nutrition Communications told the BBC.
Interest in tea have mostly focusses on green tea, with consumption linked to a wide range of health benefits, including lower risk of certain cancers, weight loss, and protection against Alzheimer's.

The health benefits have been linked to the polyphenol content of the tea. Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent.

The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and epicatechin.

But Dr. Ruxton and her co-authors from King's College London report that black tea also had positive effects on general health.

The review, sponsored by the Tea Council and published on-line in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602489), searcher databases for relevant epidemiological and clinical studies that were published between 1990 and 2004.

In terms of cardiovascular disease, the reviewers report that "clear evidence was found" to link drinking three of more cups per day could reduce the risk.

Cancer risk did seem to be reduced in experimental (in vitro and animal studies) said the reviewers, but these results were not backed up by epidemiological evidence, they said.

A small note of caution however was noted by the observation that a non-effect or slight increase in risk of colorectal cancer with consumption of black tea.

The researchers also tackled the old wives' tale that drinking tea leads to dehydration, due to the diuretic caffeine content of the beverage. This was not backed up by the science, said the reviewers, with normal levels of hydration maintained when the tea contained less than 250 mg per cup.

"Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid,” Dr. Ruxton told the BBC.

The reasons for these benefits was proposed to be related to the antioxidant action of tea polyphenols, wrote the reviewers.

"There was sufficient evidence to show risk reduction for CHD at intakes of more than three cups per day and for improved antioxidant status at intakes of one to six cups per day," concluded the reviewers.

"A maximum intake of eight cups per day would minimise any risk relating to excess caffeine consumption. Black tea generally had a positive effect on health."

The global tea market is worth about €790 (£540, $941) million. Green tea accounts for about 20 per cent of total global production, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) accounts for about 78 per cent.

Source:NutraIngredients.com | Europe

Donors Plug $15m to Greeen Tea Cancer Research

2006-08-25T10:19:00.000+08:00

Donors have injected $15m into the Minnesota-based Hormel Institute in support of the study of food compounds to prevent cancer – a further boost for the center following discoveries on antioxidant benefits of green tea and ginger.

The Hormel Institute is an independent research branch of the University of Minnesota that has made a mission of identifying and characterizing natural non-toxic anti-cancer agents. The Hormel Foundation pledged $10m and Austin, Minnesota-based Hormel Foods Corporation gave an additional $5m.
The donations will allow the Institute to triple site capacity and add 100 researchers to its current staff of 70 – an overwhelming pat on the back for the endeavors of a team that have so far resulted in filing a patent on the use of ginger compounds as a cancer therapeutic agent.

And a glance at the grim facts indicates the potential market for dietary supplements and functional foods targeting cancer can only grow.

Cancer was the second leading cause of death in the US in 2003, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The disease was to blame for almost a quarter of all deaths that year, with 556,902 Americans succumbing to the disease.

The Institute says it has been researching how foods modulate cellular pathways in cancer development and prevention. Its past cancer-related discoveries include showing how green tea targets an important cancer gene, as well as how feeding ginger to mice with human colon cancer implants delays tumor growth. The Institute has filed its patent for ginger use in the US, Canada and Europe.

Another discovery the Institute claims to have made surrounds omega-3 fatty acids' effectively inhibiting the development of several cancers.

The Hormel Institute was founded in 1942 as part of the Graduate School at the University of Minnesota. The Hormel Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the founder of Hormel Foods, a multinational manufacturer and marketer of meat and food products.

Hormel Foods' donation is the largest single donation ever given by the company.

~ Article: Green Tea and Cancer Research

Health Consciousness Propel Instant Iced Tea

2006-08-13T11:00:00.000+08:00

"Ready-to-drink teas have exploded this year into a major growth category," said John Sicher, editor and publisher of Beverage Digest, a newsletter for the non-alcoholic beverages industry, based in Bedford Hills. "In the first quarter of this year, the tea business was up about 28 percent, which is even stronger than bottled water and sports drinks. Tea is perceived not only as refreshing and tasting good but also as healthy, and I think it really fits in the sweet spot of what American consumers are looking for in a beverage."

The knowledge that tea is healthy has propelled tea from the periphery of beverages to the mainstream, said Dr. Ralph M. Ferrante, founder and chief executive officer of Global Brands Inc., a private company based in Grand View with manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. Global Brands specializes in creating beverage products — including research and development, flavor systems, package design and marketing. In addition to its own products, Global supplies products to major brands, including the raspberry, lemon and green tea with ginseng for Sbarro Inc. On Sept. 1, the company will introduce a "new category of tea" with ingredients from the "far reaches of the world."

"There will be no healthier teas in the marketplace," said Ferrante, who was a chiropractor and certified sports injury physician when he founded the company in 1992.

For Christine Mangi, an electrologist from Putnam Valley, health is one good reason to drink tea.

"I love green tea," she said, while drinking the beverage with her lunch at the Panera Bread bakery-cafe in Yorktown this month. "We all know the health benefits of green tea. ... It's high in antioxidants."

Antioxidants are compounds that protect against cell damage from oxidation, which contributes to disease and aging.

The term "antioxidants" appears frequently in the marketing campaigns of major tea-sellers.

While introducing its new Green Tea Collection that debuts this month, Snapple officials touted the teas as containing high levels of the natural antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), citing studies that say the antioxidant can boost metabolism.

As part of its partnership with Lipton Tea, Purchase-based PepsiCo Inc. developed a proprietary label that mentions the amount of "naturally protective antioxidants" in each bottle.

While tea itself is known to have a variety of health benefits, the things that are added to it might make it less beneficial. Nutrition experts warn consumers that some ready-to-drink teas are high in sugar. In non-diet varieties of some popular brands, high-fructose corn syrup is a leading ingredient, second only to filtered water. While labels list the sugar per 8-ounce serving, few people limit themselves to 8 ounces, and most bottles contain at least two servings. SoBe Green Tea, according to its label, has 23 grams of sugar and 90 calories in an 8-ounce serving, and 56 grams and 210 calories in a 20-ounce bottle.

That's a lot of sugar and calories, said Roberta Gershner, past president of the New York State Dietetic Association and a dietitian with practices in Ossining and Cortlandt Manor.

She pointed out that 5 grams of sugar is equivalent to a teaspoon's worth. With people drinking multiple servings, the sugar adds up, she said, and can play a role in obesity, diabetes and other health and dental conditions.

Gershner recommends moderation. To reduce sugar and caloric intake, she suggested drinking home-brewed tea and adding a teaspoon of sugar or a small amount of a sugar substitute, or drinking diet tea when on the run.

"If you have a glass or two in a given day, it's not a problem," she said. "If you down 64 ounces of anything in a day, that's not a good idea."

Excess sugar is a concern for Christine Szpynda, a mother of three from Somers. To her, some of the commercial brands taste "syrupy." For this reason, she brews homemade tea for her family each night using her mother's recipe.

"That's my family's favorite," she said, adding that her children also like Lipton Brisk Tea in the can when they're out.

"Oh, we love iced tea," said 7-year-old Adriana, on a day in which temperatures lingered around 100 degrees.

Some local restaurant owners are mindful of the health nuances of iced tea. The only tea at Rhoda's Cafe in New City is the home-brewed variety, which customers can sweeten themselves.

"I happen to have diabetes," said owner George Papadakis, "and any time I see people buying that (ready-made) stuff, it sort of bothers me because it's so simple to make it and it avoids all that sugar."

At Gourmet Garden, on Route 59 in Nanuet, owner Robert Moskowitz makes a point of stocking sugar-free versions of the sweetened teas he carries. It's part of his restaurant's theme of "health consciousness." On the other hand, he has refused to carry certain tea drinks that "give the appearance of being healthy, natural tea" but in fact contain large amounts of sugar.

"I've been here for 19 years, and my loyal customers have known that my products are healthy, and I wouldn't want to put something out there that wasn't," he said.

What's hot (or cool) here?

At Rockridge Deli in Rye, Snapple continues to be a top seller along with SoBe, while sales of AriZona teas are "booming," McGuigan said. AriZona is making a strong comeback after falling out of favor there. McGuigan credited the brand's newer, more enticing varieties, such as green tea with ginseng, Asian Plum and RX Stress.

"Change is better, even if (it's just) a label," she said.

But McGuigan pointed out that what sells well in one location might not do well in another.

At Gourmet Garden, the original Snapple green tea was so unpopular, Moskowitz pulled it off the shelf. Likewise for Coca-Cola's new Gold Peak Premium Iced Tea, which "revives the timeless flavor of classic, authentic iced tea," according to Coca-Cola. Moskowitz said his customers had no idea what it was and that it looked like a wine cooler. Nestea's regular and diet lemon are his customers' favorites.

At Panera Bread, which has bakery-cafes in Nanuet, Port Chester and Yorktown, the green tea "infused with passion fruit and papaya" is one of the top-selling drinks, General Manager Maggie Bello said.

What does it cost?

At a deli or convenience store, customers typically pay from $1 to $2 for bottles than contain 16 to 20 ounces. But most popular brands can be bought in larger bottles or quantities at considerable savings. For those who want to save even more money, there's powdered or instant iced tea. At the Stop & Shop in White Plains, the store-brand's 53-ounce container, enough to make 20 quarts, sells for $4.79 (about 6 cents an 8-ounce glass), and Lipton sells for $7.49 (about 9 cents a glass). Meanwhile, Celestial Seasonings' "Zingers to Go" iced tea bags came in a variety of exotic flavors, with a $2.99 box containing enough for 20 8-ounce servings (15 cents a glass). Gourmet teas can cost more. The 25 teas featured in the gourmet section of Amazon.com include six 8-gram sachets of Teaology Lavender Mint Iced Green Tea for $8.99, enough for 12 8-ounce glasses (75 cents a glass).

Of course the cheapest method is timeless — brew it yourself.

Who's Your Daddy, Inc. Introduces Who's Your Daddy Green Tea ``King of Energy'' Drink

2006-08-10T14:14:00.000+08:00

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2006--Who's Your Daddy, Inc. announces it has launched its third "King of Energy(TM)" Drink - Green Tea, with orders shipping in July to the Company's network of distributors throughout the country.

The Green Tea "King of Energy" Drink revenues contributed to Company sales in July, exceeding revenues for the previous six months combined.

The Green Tea "King of Energy" Drink is the latest introduction to complement the Company's product offering and is one of the first green tea energy drinks on the market.

The Company is currently developing a marketing program in which the Who's Your Daddy Green Tea "King of Energy" Drink will be one of the flagship flavors of the companies' "King of Energy" Drinks. Additional new flavors are in the development stage and will follow the trend of flavored energy drinks.

The Company's research, while developing the Green Tea formula, showed that Green Tea and Green Tea extracts contained powerful antioxidants, which can have positive effects on a variety of health conditions in a very natural way.

The Company reviewed numerous studies which have drawn links to the benefits of Green Tea and Green Tea extracts when it comes to everyday issues such as: weight loss, diet, cholesterol, heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancers and blood sugar. In addition, research has found that a combination of caffeine and Green Tea extract burns more calories than caffeine alone.

Edon Moyal, CEO, said, "We believe that we are on the cutting edge by being one of the first companies to produce and distribute a Green Tea Energy Drink which includes health positive ingredients, combined with the boost that consumers of energy drinks have come to expect from their beverage. We are excited that our distributors share our enthusiasm about our new product."

The Green Tea energy drink is a beverage well suited for the work and office environment, and can be used to combat the mid-afternoon slump. It's a great on premise beverage for restaurants and other establishments for lunchtime promotions. A Green Tea energy drink has finally arrived as socially acceptable; twenty-four hours a day anywhere, anytime.

Herbs and Fruits are being Infused into Icy Tea Concoctions

2006-08-09T11:15:00.000+08:00

The days of settling for generic, watered-down iced tea are over.

It's a bold new iced tea age, and the latest offerings are every bit as exotic and sophisticated as hot teas and coffees.

Trend-setting iced teas typically are blends, often jazzed with fruit or herbal infusions. You can make them at home, buy them at tea and coffeehouses, or pluck them from supermarket shelves.

The ready-to-drink iced tea segment in the past 15 years has grown from $200 million to over $2 billion in annual sales, said Joe Simrany, president of the New York-based Tea Association of the U.S.A. It's the single largest segment of the tea industry, and it explains why iced tea makes up more than 85% of all tea sales, according to Simrany.

Milwaukee-based Rishi Tea has a relatively new, fast-growing line of organic and Fair Trade Certified iced teas sold in filter pouches that make 1 quart. The seven flavors so far include mint rooibos, peach rooibos, citron green, lychee berry, honey plum, classic and pure. Rooibos is an herbal also known as red tea.

Teavana at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa carries more than 100 kinds of tea, and customers often buy a variety to experiment with blending flavors, said Paul Kolvenbach, one of the managers of the new store, part of a national chain based in Atlanta.

Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls is one of Teavana's best-selling iced teas, Kolvenbach said. It is a blend of green tea and Rooibos Tropica, a fragrant herbal blend of green and red rooibos, strawberry, peach, sunflower and cornflower petals, and orange peel.

Strawberry-kiwi tea mixed with orange or peach tea is a popular iced tea blend consumers can make at home, he said.

Tea is even making its way into fancy blended drinks, such as smoothies and martinis, said Harrison of Rishi, who said he's seen a green tea martini with gin on the rocks.

Health benefits attributed to tea are luring many people to cold tea drinks, Harrison said. Tea is considered an excellent source of immune system-building antioxidants.

As awareness grows, more consumers are insisting on better quality teas and are seeking out organic and Fair Trade blends.

The iced tea market is growing exponentially, Harrison said, adding, "Ninety percent of the tea consumed in the U.S. is served iced."

The growing popularity of specialty iced teas can be attributed to the purported health benefits of tea.

According to Simrany of the tea association, many consumers are re-evaluating their diets, and some who previously drank sugar- and calorie-laden juices or soft drinks are coming over to tea.

Green tea gets the most attention when it comes to touting health benefits, Simrany said. But that's because Asian scientists are the ones doing most of the research, and green tea is popular in Asia. Black tea has almost identical components, he said.

Snapple, which Simrany called the pioneer of ready-to-drink iced teas in the late 1980s and early 1990s, now offers iced tea flavors ranging from mint to peach and raspberry.

Snapple earlier this year unveiled its white teas, the first in a line of products aimed at educating consumers about the health benefits of tea. White teas are considered naturally light because they are made from white tea leaves plucked from the first buds and leaves of the plant when they are "purest and most delicate."

Health concerns send older Canadians to their (green) teapots

2006-07-24T14:37:00.000+08:00

With the antioxidant properties of green tea well established, Canadians have become widely aware of the tea's benefits. In a Tea Council of Canada survey, 74% of respondents said that tea had some health benefits, with its antioxidants being the leading health benefit mentioned. As the Canadian population ages, older consumers grow more concerned about cancer, and products that help stave off this fear are doing well. As green tea has higher antioxidant levels than black, this helped green tea see value growth of 30% in 2005.

Snapple Introduces 'Good for You' Premium Green Teas

2006-07-21T11:15:00.000+08:00

Consumers Encouraged to Learn About the Metabolic Benefits of Green Tea

RYE BROOK, N.Y., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Snapple, makers of The Best Stuff on Earth, today launches Snapple Green Teas, a collection of authentic green teas that contain the natural antioxidant EGCG and helps boost metabolism. Snapple's new Green Tea has the most EGCG, with 55mg per bottle, compared to leading ready-to-drink green teas, and is the second in a line of new products that support a "good for you" platform from which the brand will inform and inspire consumers about the health benefits of tea.
"The development of Green Teas with EGCG is an important one, as consumers look for more out of their foods and beverages. They want pure, all-natural, high quality ingredients with great taste and real functional benefits -- Snapple Green Tea is a perfect fit," said Holly Mensch, Vice President of Marketing for Snapple. "Less than a third of consumers are aware of EGCG, and only 5% know that consuming green tea can boost metabolism."

Snapple Green Teas are authentic, all natural teas available in original, mango and Asian pear flavors. New Snapple Green Teas are made with real sugar -- but less of it, so it's more refreshing and maintains its natural, healthy goodness.

Green Tea is currently a fast growing segment for the ready-to-drink Iced Tea category, due in large part to consumer perception that Green Tea is the "healthiest" tea. Its apparent "good health" effects have been documented in the media, from lowering overall cholesterol levels to helping protect against cancers. Studies of green tea consumption indicate that consuming 300mg of EGCG throughout the day boosts metabolism.

Snapple Green Tea will be available at major retailers, grocery and convenience stores nationwide in August 2006. It will be sold in 17.5 ounce bottles for a suggested retail price of $1.39. Snapple will also be rolling out a premium Diet Green Tea in September.

Source: Snapple

Drinking green tea now more popular worldwide

2006-07-20T11:02:00.000+08:00

Increase awareness of green tea's health benefits and more widespread research into its health benefits is cited as one of the reasons that tea drinking is on the rise in the US and other parts of the world.

Latest consumer reports indicate that tea drinking is increasingly popular in the U.S. There are some 2,000 tea houses nationwide, up from 200 a decade ago. Tea sales reached $6.2 billion last year, more than quadruple their level in the early 1990s.

Green tea has many health benefits, and it can be used for avoidance of the diseases: Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease, cataracts, Infection, and Impaired Immune Function.

Green tea has the capability to fight bacteria and this can be counted as one of the chief benefits of green tea. This boosts your immune system thereby increasing the resistance power. It also helps kill bacteria that cause plaque and succeeding tooth decay.

Also green tea helps in getting rid of bad breath. Some element is present in green tea that stunts the growth of bad odor causing bacteria. Therefore a cup or two of green regularly can help in maintaining fresh breath.

If you are a chain smoker and also you consume around six cups of green tea a day then the propensity of risk caused due to the toxins emitted by cigarette smoke is reduced to a great extent.

New Research Suggests That Drinking Tea May Decrease Risk Of Ovarian Cancer

2006-07-07T22:45:00.000+08:00

Women who consume two or more cups of tea daily over a period of time may lower their risk of ovarian cancer by 46% compared with women who never or seldom consume tea, according to new research published in the December issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study found that each additional cup of tea consumed per day was associated with an 18% lower risk of ovarian cancer in study participants. This is the most comprehensive epidemiological study to show an association between higher consumption of tea and lowered risk of ovarian cancer. "This research calls attention, once again, to the potential role that tea may play in disease prevention,” says Joe Simrany, president of the Tea Council of the U.S.A. “An abundance of research suggests that tea may play a role in the reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer.

These new findings suggest that drinking tea regularly may help to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer as well. This is good news and points to yet another area where tea may have a positive effect on health.” The study, conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, examined the association between tea consumption and risk of ovarian cancer, in 61,057 women 40 to 76 years of age who were participants in the population-based Swedish Mammography Cohort. Participants completed a validated 67-item food frequency questionnaire at enrollment between 1987 and 1990 and were followed for cancer incidence through December 2004. At baseline, 68% of the participants reported drinking tea (primarily black tea) at least once per month.

During 15.1 years of follow-up, 301 women were diagnosed as having epithelial ovarian cancer. The researchers found tea consumption of two or more cups of tea per day was significantly inversely associated with risk of ovarian cancer. Specifically, a 46% lower risk of ovarian cancer was found in women who drank 2 or more cups of tea per day compared with non tea drinkers and each additional cup of tea was associated with an 18% decreased risk of ovarian cancer. The authors state that more research should be conducted in this area to confirm these promising findings.

A multitude of research studies suggest that drinking tea should be included as part of a healthy diet and may contribute to overall health.

A Convenient Way to Get the Health Benefits of Green Tea

2006-06-17T23:27:00.000+08:00

I have written a number of times recently about the outstanding health benefits of green tea, which has been shown to boost brain health, increase metabolism, and reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. This prompted a reader from Australia to ask the following:

"I have been told that there are very few (none, actually) active ingredients in the green tea that we buy. That if we want the REAL STUFF, it has to be vacuum-packed and on dry ice. Is this true?"

From all the information I can find, this is NOT true. The green tea you buy in the store does contain the polyphenols and flavonols that are so beneficial to your health. However, green tea is particularly susceptible to heat, oxygen, light, and moisture, so it should be stored in a cool, airtight, and moisture-free environment to maintain its freshness.

An alternative is to take green tea extract. A quality extract offers a convenient way to get a super-potent dose of green tea - either in capsule form or as a liquid that can be mixed with spring water. And, in fact, one study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that you may absorb more antioxidants from an extract than from a cup of tea.

Green Tea - The Secret to Longevity?

2006-06-02T14:24:00.000+08:00

That just might be.

The role of green tea in promoting longevity has been investigated upon by many researchers. They found the premise of their study on observing that Japanese women who are greater-than-average green tea drinkers; have lower mortality rates compared to others. This led the researchers to believe that green tea has “a protective factor against premature death.”

The polyphenols found in green tea may be held accountable. With its high amount of polyphenols, green tea seems to have a stimulating effect on the immune system. Stronger immune system as a result of drinking green tea helps reduce risks of acquiring any illnesses.

The Weight Loss Benefit of Green Tea

2006-05-26T23:10:00.000+08:00

For 4,000 years, Asians have regarded green tea as something more than just a beverage. Green tea was used as herbal medicine and treatment for everything from headaches to depressions and even to weight loss.

Researches have been conducted over the last few years to identify what compound present in green tea makes it a potent health drink. The scientists have found that green tea contains several antioxidants which are responsible for many of green tea’s health benefits, including weight loss benefit.

A research study by American and Swiss scientists on the weight loss benefit of green tea was concluded and the results of which were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Urology. During the course of their study, they have found that green tea contains certain compounds that contribute to its weight loss benefit.

Lead researcher, D. Abdul Dulloo said in a press release that there are only two ways to achieve weight loss – either reduce energy intake or increase energy expenditure. Green tea, it seems, has compounds that can increase the body’s normal metabolism rate, thus giving it its weight loss benefit.

At the University of Geneva, where the study was conducted, Dr. Dulloo and his colleagues experimented on ten healthy young men. They theorized that the main contributor to green tea’s weight loss benefit is its caffeine content. To test this hypothesis on green tea’s weight loss benefit, they placed the study’s participants on a typical “Western” diet which is about forty percent fat, thirteen percent protein, and forty-seven percent carbohydrates.

Thrice everyday, the researchers measured their subjects’ energy expenditure (the measurement used in determining the number of calories burned in 24 hours) and monitored their respiration quotient to find out how well they utilized their carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

When they interpreted the data they collected, they found out that the men receiving regular dosages of green tea extract showed a significant increase in their 24-hour energy expenditure and a reduction in their respiration quotient (which means that more fat is burned, thereby achieving maximum weight loss). On the other hand, those men who were only given caffeine or placebo with every meal showed only minimal increases in their metabolism rates.

The scientists construed that the substance catechin polyphenol present in green tea adds to its weight loss benefit. These substances in green tea may alter how the body uses the hormone norepinephrine which is responsible for increasing the metabolism rate, thus leading to weight loss.

In their conclusion, the scientists inferred that green tea owes its weight loss benefit to the presence of antioxidants and the substance catechin polyphenol. These substances help increase fat and calorie burning and optimize weight loss.

Green Tea Extract and Weight Loss

2006-05-21T13:40:00.000+08:00

Green tea has always been known to have several health benefits, but who knew that it could contribute to weight loss as well?

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that green tea extract can increase metabolism and fat oxidation of the body. In theory, scientists believe that the weight loss benefits of green tea extracts are due to their caffeine content but the results of the study show otherwise as they discovered that green tea extracts have weight loss benefits beyond that of caffeine.

In their study, the researchers administered alone the same amount of caffeine as that in green tea extracts but found that it did not make any significant changes in the body’s overall energy expenditure. This led them to conclude that green tea extracts have ingredients in them that actively interact with each other, promoting increased metabolism and fat oxidation that lead to weight loss.

Further findings indicated that a certain compound found in green tea extracts might be the ingredient that causes weight loss. These green tea extract compounds called Flavonoids may alter the way the body uses norepinephrine, a hormone that monitors how calories are burned. When flavonoids interact with other green tea extract ingredients, more calories are burned thus contributing to weight loss.

Another ingredient that actively contributes to the weight loss benefits of green tea extracts is the compound catechin polyphenols. These compounds also interact with other green tea extract ingredients in order to promote weight loss by fat burning and thermogenesis (a process of losing energy by daytime heat).

The great thing about the weight loss benefit of green tea extracts is that it does not have any adverse side-effects. Unlike other herbal products like ephedra and prescription drugs for obesity, green tea extract does not increase the speed of heart rates or raise blood pressure. In this regard, green tea extract is an effective and safer alternative to other weight loss products which may cause harm to the user.

The study conducted by the University of Geneva on the weight loss benefit of green tea extract implicated that green tea extract can also help thyroid patients. According to dietitian Lynn Moss, M.S., R.D., green tea extract is a healthier choice for people with thyroid who may be too sensitive to stimulants. Green tea extract can promote weight loss by increasing metabolism without over stimulating the adrenal glands.

A common beverage all throughout Asia, green tea has recently gained popularity in the West. Further researches were conducted to identify other health benefits of green tea extracts aside from weight loss. It was found that certain green tea extract compounds can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and even ulcers.

Green Tea Health Benefits

7 Health Benefits of Green Tea

2006-05-10T15:00:00.000+08:00

Want to enhance your health in surprising ways? Drink green tea.

We're not talking about a new health discovery here. This beverage has been used for thousands of years by the Chinese. It has proved itself for centuries as worthy of being included in our diet for its health properties.

Not only has this drink been endorsed for ages, but modern science also has discovered astonishing facts about what it may be able to do for your health.

There are a lot more benefits to drinking green tea than are listed below, but here are seven:

1. Drink it to help shed extra pounds.

A study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in November, 1999, is encouraging. It shows that this drink may enable people to burn more calories.

2. This ancient brew may help combat signs of aging.

That's because it contains large amounts of vitamins E and C which are antioxidants. Antioxidants have the reputation of being able to combat free radicals that damage cells. Cancer, heart attacks and diabetes can result from damaged cell membranes.

In April, 1999, researchers at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland revealed that green tea may ease the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

3. This drink may help asthma sufferers.

Because it contains theophylline (a muscle relaxant), it can help the muscles surrounding bronchial tubes to relax. This helps asthma sufferers to breathe with less restriction.

4. Green tea may help lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure makes you susceptible to heart attack and stroke. This ancient brew may also keep blood clots from forming.

5. Green tea has been reported to help in the fight against cancer.

Doctors from the prestigious Mayo Clinic found that green tea extract given to four leukemia patients seemed to help three of them experience regression of the disease. And even the fourth patient showed some improvement. The reason the doctors tried green tea extract is that a 2004 test tube study showed that leukemia cells were killed by the extract.

By the way, in Japan there are fewer reported cancer deaths.
Could it be because the Japanese drink a lot of green tea?

6. Drinking this beverage my help lower cholesterol.

Lowering cholesterol with no side effects has been reported in studies using green tea. Your ability to fight heart disease and ward off stroke is tied in with your cholesterol count.

7. This brew may help your body fight infections.

The New York Times reported in April of 2003 that the immune system's ability to fight disease may be strengthened by drinking green tea. Microbiologist Milton Schiffenbauer, professor at Pace University (New York) stated, "Our research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that causes disease.
If we can stimulate the immune system and at the same time we are destroying the organisms then it makes sense to drink more tea."

Now that you've learned 7 ways green tea has been shown to help your health, why not give it a place in your daily diet? It's not a magic cure, but this proven ancient beverage may just help you to be healthier.

About the author:

Patricia Wagner offers informative tips and a newsletter to help you live a more energetic lifestyle. Learn more about adding healthy foods to your life at A to Z Wellness website.

Miracle Cup: The Health Benefits of Green Tea

2006-05-07T16:35:00.000+08:00

How do you fit a miracle in a cup?

For 4,000 years, the Chinese people have been using green tea as treatment for everything from headaches to depression.

Today, studies are conducted in Asia and the west in order to produce hard evidence of the health benefits of green tea. In the 1994 edition of the Journal of National Cancer Institute, the results of an epidemiological study stated that one of the health benefits of drinking green tea is that it can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in Chinese men and women by up to 60%.

The rich presence of catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the reason why green tea has so much health benefits. A powerful antioxidant, EGCG can not only inhibit the growth of cancer cells but can also destroy them without harming healthy cells.

The University of Purdue has also concluded a research on how a certain compound present in green tea can stop cancer cells from growing. Still another health benefit of green tea is its ability to lower down cholesterol levels and improve the ratio between good (HDL) cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol.

The EGCG in green tea is a health benefit substance that can lower down LDL cholesterol levels and stop blood from forming abnormal clots (thrombosis), a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Green tea has more health benefits compared to other Chinese teas like oolong and black tea, all of which come from the plant Camellia sinensis. What makes green tea different is the process by which it is made. Green tea owes much of its health benefits to how the Camellia sinensis leaves are steamed. The steam process keeps the EGCG health benefit of green tea from oxidizing. With oolong and black teas, however, the leaves are fermented instead of being steamed, thus causing the EGCG health benefit to transform into another less medicinally potent form.

Aside from medicinal value, green tea can also offer other health benefits, especially in the fitness field. Drinking green tea can cause a person to burn down more calories. A recent study on the health benefits of green tea shows that the drink can help dieters. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1999, men who take both caffeine and green tea burn down more calories than men who only take caffeine or a placebo.

Another health benefit of green tea is its bacteria-destroying properties. The health benefit of green tea in this area is that it can help prevent food poisoning and also prevent tooth decay. The substances found in green tea kill the bacteria causing food poisoning and those that cause dental plaque to form.

Well known for its countless medicinal and health benefits, green tea is nothing short of a miracle.