green tea - wonder drink?

what is it? for centuries the chinese and japanese cultures have been drinking green tea. they realize the positive health benefits of green tea in their diet. the popularity of this drink has spread west, making it now the second-most popular drink worldwide. green tea is different from other teas because it is not fermented or dried out, thus keeping in the powerful antioxidants lost in the fermenting process. registered dietician and ada spokesperson, cynthia sass says, "antioxidants are like little bodyguards inside your body that protect your cells from disease."

what are the health benefits? there's a lot of buzz about green tea because more and more studies are showing the health benefits of drinking green tea. some of the health benefits of green tea include improving your immune system, guarding against flu virus, lowering cholesterol, helping prevent cavities and tooth decay, slowing the aging process, reducing risk of cancer, aiding in weight-loss by burning calories, reducing high blood pressure, preventing arthritis, reducing risk of heart disease, and reducing risk of stroke. the latest research also finds an ingredient in green tea that fights cancer may also help protect the brain from alzheimer's disease. some of the research has been done in humans, while other studies are only at the animal stage, but it seems clear green tea is a healthy choice. sass warns though that green tea is part of a healthy lifestyle and does not equal a healthy lifestyle. she says, "you can't eat poorly, not get exercise, and think it's going to help you prevent all these diseases. but it really could be a powerful thing we can do to add to all the other things that we know about disease prevention."

green tea tips: not all green tea products are created equal. beyond tea, there are many products that are adding green tea such as green tea ice cream or green tea gum. how do you know what's good for you? sass says you need to read the label carefully. powered green tea leaves or brewed green tea are best. she says green tea flavorings or extracts do not offer the same benefits of brewed green tea. also, many green tea products are sweetened to make it taste better. sass says these drinks have as many calories as soda, and you need to realize that when you drink them. she says your best bet is to brew green tea at home, and if you want to sweeten it put a little, put juice in it or honey. when brewing green tea, it is important to make sure the teabag steep for five full minutes. sass says you may want to time yourself because five minutes is longer than you think, and thatˇŻs the only way to guarantee you are getting the most antioxidants from your green tea.

note: people who take blood thinners should not drink green tea.