Green Tea - How Healthy Can It Be?

There are a number of claims to the health benefits of green tea. If you search the internet you would be amazed. One of the many claims that I found was on article put out by WebMD that states....."Drinking green tea rapidly improves the health of the delicate cells lining the blood vessels and helps lower one's risk of heart disease. Researchers writing in the latest issue of the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation have found that people who drink green tea have better blood vessel function just 30 minutes later. Specifically, green tea improves the function of endothelial cells. Endothelial cell dysfunction plays a key role in the development of clogged arteries, a process called atherosclerosis." That is a pretty good one, especially if you have a history of heart disease in your family.

Another claim is that it might improve ones endurance. It hasn't been tested on humans yet, but appears to be true in mice...hmmm, worth trying isn't it?

Well here is a list (modified) of potential health benefits of green tea:
1) it protects the heart,
2) drinking green tea results in 37% reduction in breast cancer risk for women under the age of 50
3) Green Tea and IP6: Effective Pancreatic Cancer Preventative and Treatment,
4) Green Tea Compounds Prevent Memory Loss From Lack of Oxygen,
5) Green Tea Shown to Reduce Risk of Ovarian and Colorectal Cancers,
6) Green Tea Nutrient EGCG Blocks Diabetes-Promoting Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup,
7) Green tea prevents bladder inflammation,
8) Green tea found to ease inflammation, arthritis pain,
9) A Cup of Green Tea Per Day May Help Keep Skin Cancer Away,
10) Lower Cancer Risk,
11) green tea can possibly benefit those with type 1 diabetes and Sjogren's Syndrome (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in certain glands of the body.),
12) Speed up weight loss,
13) protect brain function,
14) defend immune system, and
15) helps reduce prostate risk.

Those are just a few of many more. With this many health benefits, it would make sense for many people to switch up their beverage of choice. There will always be soda around, but at least now we have more choices. Hopefully our choices will be healthier ones and green tea is a good choice.

So World, let's make that healthier choice and sip a tall refreshing glass of sweet green tea, while you sit on your patio, deck, poolside or at the beach....ahhhhh!