| -by Mayur Vibhakar | | | | Act as an antibacterial and antiviral agent |
| (c)Mayur Vibhakar - All rights reserved. | | | | Help in weight loss |
| "If we do not find time to take care of our health, we | | | | Boost longevity due to potent antioxidant properties |
| will reluctantly have to find time for our illness" | | | | One cup of green tea usually provides 100-300 mg of |
| -Hippocrates | | | | polyphenols and contains EGCG in high concentrations. |
| Lately there's a lot of buzz in the news and online | | | | As mentioned above EGCG is believed to possess |
| about green tea and its' health benefits, particularly the | | | | 100 times more potency as an antioxidant than Vitamin |
| role of polyphenols in green tea. | | | | C and at least 25 times more potency than Vitamin E |
| Polyphenols are chemical compounds found in fruits, | | | | and protects cells and DNA from damage believed to |
| vegetables and green tea and further divided into sub | | | | be linked to cancer, heart disease and other potentially |
| groups called catechins. There are 4 major catechins | | | | fatal illnesses. |
| in green tea of which EGCG ((-)-epigallocatechin | | | | Green tea has been used for centuries in China for |
| gallate (EGCG) is the most potent and found in | | | | the health benefits it provides. We're just now |
| abundance in green tea. | | | | scratching the surface of what green tea has to offer, |
| This compound is dubbed the "super antioxidant" | | | | new studies come out constantly that provide data on |
| because it's more powerful than the popular | | | | the effectiveness of green tea against various |
| antioxidants Vitamin E & Vitamin C. This super | | | | ailments. |
| antioxidant eliminates free radicals, the unstable | | | | The latest research indicates that green tea may help |
| molecules in the body that are the major cause of | | | | in Alzheimer's disease by decreasing the production of |
| both aging and disease, which continually attack the | | | | a protein which in large amounts causes nerve |
| body and leave the body vulnerable to disease. | | | | damage and memory loss. All of the benefits of green |
| Free radicals disrupt the biochemical processes within | | | | tea can be attributed to polyphenols, particularly EGCG. |
| cells, and our body's natural defenses become | | | | Green tea comes in various dosage forms but the |
| compromised leading to illness. Free radicals | | | | more popular versions are the liquid forms and the |
| indiscriminately kill cells, destroy enzymes and produce | | | | patch. The patch seems to be gaining in popularity due |
| toxic chemicals which cause damage to cellular | | | | to the convenience factor and delivery of the same |
| functions. They are highly reactive molecules; their | | | | amount of the active ingredient of green tea at a |
| activities cause damage to critical structures such as | | | | constant rate. Place the patch on the skin and wear it |
| DNA, lipids and proteins. All of which are vital for | | | | for 48 hours and replace it every other day. It can't get |
| normal cellular function. | | | | any simpler than that :-) |
| Free radicals in the body are toxic forms of reactive | | | | As you can see EGCG is an important component of |
| oxygen metabolites (ROM). It's ironic that on one hand | | | | green tea responsible for all of the health benefits |
| oxygen sustains us and on the other hand oxygen can | | | | listed above. Recent studies also indicate green tea as |
| be responsible for much of the destruction and aging | | | | being effective in promoting weight loss. |
| of our cells. Free radicals are responsible for many | | | | Green tea is truly a 'wonder compound' with a large |
| ailments including but not limited to aging, cancer, heart | | | | array of benefits for improving health. It's been around |
| disease, stroke and arthritis. | | | | for thousands of years and now it has finally been |
| Without an antioxidant line of defense, your cells | | | | re-discovered for our benefit. |
| oxidize or breakdown faster thus speeding up the | | | | Mayur Vibhakar is a health professional and editor |
| aging process, it's the free radicals oxidative damage | | | | ofinnervibrance.com, a site dedicated to achieving |
| that makes us age. | | | | optimalhealth through natural means. Subscribe to the |
| Since EGCG contained in green tea is a potent | | | | informativehealth articles and receive health |
| antioxidant it neutralizes free radicals and hence is | | | | improvingtips, natural product reviews and relevant |
| responsible for the health promoting benefits listed | | | | healthinformation. |
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