Green Tea & Pregnancy

We now know that green tea is something of a miracle beverage. Hundreds of studies show the many benefits of drinking green tea on a daily basis. But during pregnancy, the rules of health and nutrition can change dramatically.

Caffeine and Pregnancy
In the past, it was thought that the caffeine found in tea and coffee might contribute to low birth weight, and thus should be avoided. Studies have shown, however, that it would take about 8 cups of coffee per day to affect birth weight or lead to miscarriage.

Since green tea has about half the amount of caffeine contained than coffee, this drink is unlikely to affect pregnancy. This aspect of green tea and pregnancy is one you don't have to worry about.

Folate and EGCG
It turns out, however, that pregnant women probably should limit their intake of green tea. This beverage is full of antioxidants, which are generally very good for us. One of them, however, may cause problems during pregnancy.

Folic acid is one of the supplements pregnant women are encouraged to take. A lack of folate has been associated with neural birth tube defects in babies.

Epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, is present in high levels in green tea. The molecules that make up this antioxidant compound are similar in structure to methotrexate, another compound found naturally in our bodies.

Methotrexate helps us by bonding with an enzyme called dihydrofo late reductase. Once bonded, these two together can kill cancer cells. If, however, EGCG bonds with dihydrofolate reductase, it deactivates the enzyme. This in turn affects the way our body uses folate.

In short, EGCG could reduce folic acid and increase the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida. New green tea and pregnancy studies should help us understand how great these risks are.

How Much Is Too Much?
Although drinking some green tea is probably fine during pregnancy, it is not yet clear just what that amount might be. Most health professionals think that drinking a moderate amount of tea is fine. As with anything that has yet to be studied thoroughly, abstinence is the only way to absolutely ensure avoiding the problem. However, you may want to balance that with the many health benefits of drinking even a little bit of green tea!

Reference:
Source: http://niceweight.blogspot.com

Green Tea Benefits

According to Marcus Stout, “Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world, after water. Asian cultures drink gallons of green, oolong and other teas, and the Brits consume large quantities of black tea. In fact, everywhere in the world, tea is a regular part of life. In many cases, we drink tea because we like it, but as it turns out, it may be extremely healthy for us, too.”

He mentions that over the years there's been tons of research on the benefits of tea to our health. And, as we learn more and more, it's becoming clear that drinking tea may be one of the best things we can do to protect our health and prolong our lives. The University of Toronto Medical Journal outlines the many benefits that drinking tea can offer.

Prevention of Heart Disease
Staut goes to say that studies have shown that regular tea consumption can actually lower cholesterol levels circulating in the blood. In fact, some studies have shown tea to reduce total cholesterol by as much as 6.5% and LDL cholesterol by as much as 11%. A reduction in cholesterol prevents atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries that carry blood become narrowed due to a buildup of plaque. The plaque that builds up in our arteries is created when LDL cholesterol oxidizes.

Prevention of Cancer
Staut tells us that tea has been shown to reduce the risk of several forms of cancer. In fact, tea has been shown to reduce lung tumors by 80% in laboratory mice. Tea has also been effective in human studies on cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer and gastric cancer.

Weight Loss
Tea has also been shown to be an effective weight loss supplement. Tea increases energy expenditure, promotes fat oxidation and decreases fat storage. Many studies have shown that drinking tea in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise can help you lose more weight than diet and exercise alone.

Improvement in Intestinal Tract Bacteria
Regular tea consumption can help improve the bacteria that live in your intestinal tract; eliminating harmful bacteria and helping beneficial bacteria to flourish. Tea has been shown to reduce the level of H pylori bacteria in the stomach. H pylori is associated with the development of ulcers.

Getting Your Daily Dose
The recommended dose of tea for health benefits is about 30 ounces per day – the equivalent of 2 ½ cans of soda. While this may seem like a lot, it's easy to consume this amount if you replace some of the other beverages you consume with tea. Consider this:

• Replace one cup of your morning coffee with a cup of tea instead – that's 8 ounces.
• Have one bottle of green tea with lunch instead of a bottled soda – that's another 12 ounces..
• For an afternoon break, make a relaxing cup of tea instead of a snack. You'll save calories and get another 8 ounces of tea..
• Have a cup of lavender or mint tea before bed – you're getting another eight ounces of tea, and you'll sleep better too!.

Which tea is best?
There are literally thousands of varieties of tea available.
So much, that you may be confused about which you should be drinking. Probably the best tea for you is the one that you like, because if you like it you'll drink more of it. However, if you're choosing tea strictly for the health benefits, here are some suggestions to help you choose the tea that will give you the most benefit.

Choose green tea over black.
Green tea is unfermented, which means that more of the original anti-oxidants are intact. It is believed that green tea has more health benefits than black tea because these anti-oxidants remain in their natural state. If you don't like the flavor of plain green tea, there are dozens of flavored green teas. They are just as healthy, and taste great. In addition, you can find bottled green teas that are very convenient when you're on the go.

Choose caffeinated teas over decaffeinated
Caffeinated teas have the most health benefit. It is believed that the caffeine in tea works with the anti-oxidants to create the maximum effects. Those who are caffeine sensitive might try green tea, as its caffeine content is lower than that of black tea.

Make sure it's real tea
There are many beverages that are referred to as tea that are not really tea. True tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal teas, and teas like rooibos and mate are really tisanes –meaning they come from other plants. There's certainly nothing wrong with these teas, but they provide differrent the health benefits that you'll find in a true tea.

Drink it the way you like it
Tea retains the same health benefits whether you drink it hot or cold and whether or not you add milk. Just remember to skip the sugar if you're drinking tea to help you lose weight.

With all the health benefits that we're discovering about tea, it's a pretty good assumption that tea may help you live longer. By putting off many of the signs and diseases of aging, you're also likely to be healthier and more active in your old age. Tea is a natural, refreshing way to improve your health and longevity.

Reference:
Source: neutral-izer.blogspot.com, November 1, 2008
Author: Marcus Stout

Green Tea Benefits Heart Disease

ScienceDaily , July 3, 2008 reports about a new study that supports evidence for the beneficial effect of Green Tea on reducing risk factors for heart disease. The study found that the consumption of green tea rapidly improves the function of endothelial cells lining the circulatory system; endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the progression of atherosclerosis.

The study, performed by Dr Nikolaos Alexopoulos and colleagues at the 1st Cardiology Department, Athens Medical School in Greece, was a randomised trial involving the diameter measurement (dilatation) of the brachial artery of healthy volunteers on three separate occasions - after taking green tea, caffeine, and hot water (for a placebo effect). The measurements were taken at 30, 90 and 120 minutes after consumption. Dilatation of the brachial artery as a result of increased blood flow (following a brief period of ischaemia of the upper limb) is related to endothelial function and is known to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk 1.

Results showed that endothelium-dependent brachial artery dilatation increased significantly after drinking green tea, with a peak increase of 3.9 per cent 30 minutes after consumption. The effect of caffeine consumption (or hot water) was not significant.

While black tea has been associated with improved short and long-term endothelial performance, this is the first time that green tea has been shown to have a short-term beneficial effect on the large arteries. Another study has already shown that green tea reverses endothelial dysfunction in smokers.

Green tea, which originates in China but is now consumed throughout the world, is made with pure leaves, and has undergone little oxidisation during processing. The cardiovascular benefits of all teas - as well as dark chocolate and red wine - are attributed to the flavonoids they contain and their antioxidant activity.2 However, says investigator Dr Charalambos Vlachopoulos, flavonoids in green tea are probably more potent antioxidants than in black tea because there has been no oxidization.

"These findings have important clinical implications," says Dr Vlachopoulos. "Tea consumption has been associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in several studies. Green tea is consumed less in the Western world than black tea, but it could be more beneficial because of the way it seems to improve endothelial function. In this same context, recent studies have also shown potent anti-carcinogenic effects of green tea, attributed to its antioxidant properties."

Notes:
The study measured flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, which is predominantly dependent on the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium and represents a well accepted estimate of endothelial function. Measurement of the brachial arteries was performed by high-resolution ultrasound.

Flavonoids are naturally found in many plants and have been shown to have many different biological effects in humans. Their antioxidant effects have been found in red wine, red grapes and dark chocolate. Oxidative stress, which has been associated with many human diseases, can be reversed by antioxidant intake.

Reference:
Source: ScienceDaily. July 8, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­
Article Name: Benefits Of Green Tea In Reducing An Important Risk Factor For Heart Disease.
Research: Alexopoulos et al. The acute effect of green tea consumption on endothelial function in healthy individuals.

Green Tea Fights Cancer & More.

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 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.

Reference:
Source: geographicalapproaches.blogspot.com, 9 November 2008
Author: Pinehas - Blog

Green Tea Helps Inflammatory Bowel Disease

According to Jon M. Stout, "For centuries, Asians have used green tea for health, both to prevent disease and treat illnesses."

Tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea is not fermented during processing, but black tea does go through a fermentation process.

Tea leaves naturally contain anti-oxidants. Fermenting the tea leaves, converts the catechins to other compounds. Anti-oxidants are critical to our health because they combat free radicals. Over time, these unchecked free radicals cause disease and aging.

For this reason, large doses of anti-oxidants, particularly those like the ones found in green tea, have been found to prevent many types of disease, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and potentially other diseases, as well. Fruits and vegetables are also great anti-oxidant sources.

Jon goes on to say, ”Recently there has been powerful news about the possible effects of green tea on gastrointestinal problems, like Inflammatory Bowel Disease. One study reported by the UK Tea Council found that green tea's anti-oxidants spend a lot of time in the intestinal tract, and have an anti-inflammatory effect on this part of the body. For this reason, green tea seems to calm the inflammation that accompanies Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other gastrointestinal problems”

He also says that this theory stands to reason, since green tea is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect all over the body. These powerful anti-inflammatory effects are also thought to be one of the reasons that green tea is effective at preventing and treating heart disease.

Stout continues to explain that Inflammatory Bowel Disease refers to a group of disorders that cause the intestines to become inflamed (red and swollen). Over 600,000 Americans suffer from some sort of inflammatory bowel disease every year.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease can cause cramping, pain, diarrhea, weight loss and bleeding in your intestines. The two forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Jon concludes by saying “It is likely that many Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients could find some relief very quickly by incorporating green tea into their diets.”

Reference:
Source: http://articles.directorym.net
Author: Jon M. Stout

Green Tea Lowers Blood Pressure.

Stephen Daniells tells us that according to a new study, daily supplements of extracts from green tea (Camellia sinensisn) may reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and markers of oxidative stress, and all within three weeks.

Stephen reports that reductions of systolic and diastolic blood pressures of 5 and 4 mmHg, respectively, were observed following daily supplements of green tea extracts, while total cholesterol levels were reduced by 10 mg/dL, according to findings of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study.

Daniells also goes to explain that 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. Oolong tea is semi-fermented tea and is somewhere between green and black tea”.

The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tea leaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC).

Green Tea Study details
Meri Nantz and co-workers recruited 52 healthy men and 72 healthy women with an average age of 29 and randomly assigned them to receive daily supplements of green tea extract (Cardio Guard, containing 100 mg of L-theanine (Suntheanine, Taiyo International) and 200 mg of a decaffeinated catechin green tea extract (Sunphenon 90DCF, Taiyo International)) or placebo for three weeks.

Standardized capsule of Camellia sinensis lowered cardiovascular risk factors in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Question:
Can I make sun tea using green tea bags?

Response:
To maximize the health benefits and minimize bitterness, the Tea Council recommends using just-below boiling water and steeping green tea no more than a minute or two.

Reference:
Source: www.beveragedaily.com , posted on Oct 30, 2008
Author: Stephen Daniells

Green Tea Prevents Diabetes & Sjogren’s syndrome

Lara Endrezl, in her article “Drink Away Your Diabetes Risk with Green Tea” tells us how green tea has been already been shown to stop inflammation and prevent cell death and has been studied as a preventative cancer measure with heart healthy antioxidants. Green tea has also been in the news lately with its decaffeinated version decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol, and effectively lowering stress and chronic inflammation. A study published recently of 111 adults were given green tea capsules over three months with positive results compared to the placebo group.
She explains that type-1 diabetes is the most common diabetes, and is also known as childhood onset diabetes and occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin altogether (type-2 is when the insulin produced is used within the body incorrectly).

It is a lifelong disease that people have to learn to monitor on their own with a specialized diet, watching their sugar intake, insulin injections, and by keeping a regular healthy exercise routine.

She tells us that the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta’s researchers tested the effects of a compound in green tea for its antioxidant qualities against mice infected with type-1 diabetes and with mice with Sjogren’s syndrome—an autoimmune disorder that attacks the glands that produce saliva and tears resulting in symptoms of an overly dry mouth and eyes—were also treated with the compound. Sjogren’s syndrome currently has no cure.

Endreszl continues to say, ”Dr. Stephen D. Hsu of Augusta’s Medical College of Georgia along with his team found that the compound EGCG reduced the intensity of the symptoms and delayed the eventual salivary gland damage associated with the presence of Sjogren’s syndrome. The research team also found that the salivary gland cells under attack by the body were multiplying rapidly but EGCG proved to slow down the process. This new study confirms previous hypotheses helpful in linking EGCG to preventable efforts against autoimmune diseases.”

She also mentions that the results were similar when the placebo group was compared with the type-1 diabetes group of mice. After 16 weeks, Hsu and his researchers found that only 25 percent of the mice given the
green tea extract (EGCG) ended up developing diabetes versus 67 percent of mice who developed diabetes that were only given water. At 22 weeks, however, the numbers steadily grew. The EGCG green tea group had 45 percent with diabetes and the plain water group had 78 percent developing the disease.

This research show pivotal findings in the incurable Sjogren’s syndrome and hold great potential to do the same for diabetes.

Lara concludes by saying “Green tea isn’t just to drink with Chinese food these days, so stock up on your antioxidants by sipping your diabetes risk away. “

Reference:
Source: www.healthnews.com, Published November 9, 2008
Author: Lara Endreszl
Article Name: Drink Away Your Diabetes Risk with Green Tea.

Green Tea for Yeast Infections

According to a Research Study conducted in Japan by Masatomo Hirasawa and Kazuko Takada, green tea is an effective way to counteract yeast infections.

In fact, there are many things you can do to ward off yeast infections:

• Limit the amount of sweets you eat
• Drink organic green tea
• Drink fresh green tea
• Eat a live-culture yogurt

Sugar can cause chronic yeast infections because take longer to break down in your body, instead use brown sugar or honey, thereby lessening the amount of circulating blood sugar.

Avoid foods that are "yeasty" such as bread, mushrooms, and alcoholic beverages. Studies have shown that avoiding these types of foods for three to six months will often notice a significant improvement.

Drinking warm green tea before you start your day and throughout the day, will not only clean your whole system but provide a very relaxing mood as well.

Green tea is a known natural remedy for yeast infection, the polyphenols in green tea have been shown to inhibit many other bacteria capable of causing infections, also protects against disease-causing microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.

Another home remedy for yeast infection is to make sure that you don't create a breeding ground for bacteria.

• Always keep yourself dry
• Tight fitting clothes DO NOT allow for good air circulation
• Use cotton or other natural fibers
• Limit your use of lycra spandex, leather, and other fabrics that don't breathe.
• Avoid bubble baths, scented tampons, colored toilet paper
• Avoid products with dyes, perfumes, and other chemicals that can irritate vaginal tissues
• Use unscented white toilet paper
• Keep stress under control

Reference
Source: melovetea.blogspot.com/, November 7, 2008
Research: Multiple effects of green tea catechin on the antifungal activity of antimycotics against Candida albicans - Masatomo Hirasawa and Kazuko Takada
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2004) 53, 225-229
The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy