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Green Tea
 Used in China for at least 4000 years as a medicine, recent studies confirm that
Green Tea has amazing health benefits. It is reputed to reduce the effects of
arthritis, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, obesity, infection and weak
immune functions.
Green Tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate
(EGCG),
a powerful antioxidant. EGCG is associated with lowering LDL cholesterol levels.
In addition researchers showed that Green Tea may prevent
arthritis because compounds within it can block the enzyme that destroys
cartilage, a major factor in the progression of osteoarthritis.
For years, researchers were puzzled by the fact that, despite consuming a diet
rich in fat, the French have a low incidence of heart disease, The answer was
found to lie in red wine, which contains resveratrol.
In a 1997 study, researchers determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as
resveratrol, which may explain why the rate of heart disease among Japanese men
is quite low, even though approximately seventy-five percent are smokers.
Green Tea also
contains high concentrations of antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system
and help the body to defend itself against attacks from viruses and infection. |
