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lakeview · 01-19-2004, 04:27 AM

I just pulled this off of Dr Weil. I thought it was a very good read for those who are interested:

Both green and black teas contain polyphenols, or catechins, which have many wonderful properties. They protect your heart by lowering cholesterol and improving lipid metabolism. They guard against cancer by scavenging for free radicals that can damage cells and push them in the direction of uncontrolled growth. They also have antibacterial effects.

Tea makers prepare both kinds of tea from leaves of the white-flowered tea plant, Camellia sinensis, a bush native to Asia. But to make green tea, they dry the leaves after a brief steaming, instead of crushing them, piling them in heaps and briefly "sweating" them for black tea. (During this natural fermentation process, the tea leaves darken and develop a different aroma and flavor than green tea.)

Since fermentation destroys some of the polyphenols, green tea is thought to be best for your health. Green tea contains about 27 percent catechins, oolong is next with 23 percent, then comes black tea at about 4 percent. Unfortunately, herb tea, while it may be tasty and relaxing, doesn't deliver any polyphenols.

In laboratory tests, green tea has inhibited the growth of skin cancers in mice and protected against lung cancer in animals exposed to a strong tobacco extract. Human tea drinkers also showed less stomach cancer and stroke than those who didn't include tea among their habits.

There is some evidence that black tea shouldn't be written off, however. As reported in the journal Mutagenesis, green, black and decaffeinated black tea all had equally strong abilities to neutralize cancer-causing chemicals in the test tube, leading researchers to conclude that the fermented derivatives of polyphenols may be active too. Another study in the same journal found comparable anti-mutagenic and antioxidant activity among instant teas, a black tea and a green tea.

All of these teas also contain theophylline, a close relative of caffeine. This can be useful to people with asthma, because it acts as a bronchodilator. But people can become addicted to tea and the stimulating effects of theophylline, so I'd recommend keeping your enjoyment of this beverage to just one or two cups a day.

If you're not drinking caffeine -- in the form of coffee, black tea, green tea or sodas, I wouldn't recommend that you take up the practice. (You can still get the health benefits of green tea through decaffeinated forms.) If you are a caffeine drinker, I suggest you try to switch to green tea, at least in part. Drink it instead of that afternoon soda, or use it to replace a cup of coffee in the evening.

01-19-2004, 04:27 AM
lakeview Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 247	I just pulled this off of Dr Weil. I thought it was a very good read for those who are interested: Both green and black teas contain polyphenols, or catechins, which have many wonderful properties. They protect your heart by lowering cholesterol and improving lipid metabolism. They guard against cancer by scavenging for free radicals that can damage cells and push them in the direction of uncontrolled growth. They also have antibacterial effects. Tea makers prepare both kinds of tea from leaves of the white-flowered tea plant, Camellia sinensis, a bush native to Asia. But to make green tea, they dry the leaves after a brief steaming, instead of crushing them, piling them in heaps and briefly "sweating" them for black tea. (During this natural fermentation process, the tea leaves darken and develop a different aroma and flavor than green tea.) Since fermentation destroys some of the polyphenols, green tea is thought to be best for your health. Green tea contains about 27 percent catechins, oolong is next with 23 percent, then comes black tea at about 4 percent. Unfortunately, herb tea, while it may be tasty and relaxing, doesn't deliver any polyphenols. In laboratory tests, green tea has inhibited the growth of skin cancers in mice and protected against lung cancer in animals exposed to a strong tobacco extract. Human tea drinkers also showed less stomach cancer and stroke than those who didn't include tea among their habits. There is some evidence that black tea shouldn't be written off, however. As reported in the journal Mutagenesis, green, black and decaffeinated black tea all had equally strong abilities to neutralize cancer-causing chemicals in the test tube, leading researchers to conclude that the fermented derivatives of polyphenols may be active too. Another study in the same journal found comparable anti-mutagenic and antioxidant activity among instant teas, a black tea and a green tea. All of these teas also contain theophylline, a close relative of caffeine. This can be useful to people with asthma, because it acts as a bronchodilator. But people can become addicted to tea and the stimulating effects of theophylline, so I'd recommend keeping your enjoyment of this beverage to just one or two cups a day. If you're not drinking caffeine -- in the form of coffee, black tea, green tea or sodas, I wouldn't recommend that you take up the practice. (You can still get the health benefits of green tea through decaffeinated forms.) If you are a caffeine drinker, I suggest you try to switch to green tea, at least in part. Drink it instead of that afternoon soda, or use it to replace a cup of coffee in the evening.