An Overview of Green Tea - Potential Health Benefits of Tea Beverages

Green tea is one of the main varieties of tea and comes from an infusion made with unfermented leaves of a Camellia sinesis plant. It is one of the most popular kinds of tea and is an important part of culture in countries like China, Thailand, Japan and India.

This type of tea is said to contain the most amount of polyphenols, a type of powerful antioxidant. The polyphenol aggressively hunts down free radicals that damage cellular DNA, which may even lead to cell death. Since free radicals are the main cause of premature aging, heart disease and cancer, drinking green tea may help in preventing the onset of these conditions and delay the prognosis of the disease for people who are already afflicted with them.

Aside from polyphenols, green tea also contains different kinds of alkaloids like theophylline, theobromine and caffeine. These alkaloids are responsible for the tea's stimulant properties. Ironically, the tea also contains amino acid compounds and L-theanine, which are known for their calming effects.

Traditional Indian and Chinese medicine practitioners use green leaf tea to help heal wounds faster and control bleeding. It is also used as a diuretic and effective stimulant. Due to its warmth and natural properties, it can improve a person's concentration, regulate blood sugar and body temperature, lead to loss in weight and promote good digestion and treat flatulence.

Recent clinical studies have found that green tea boosts a person's metabolism and may aid in weight loss. It can also help treat tooth decay and reduce inflammation in different parts of the body.

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