Green Tea

Green tea is a potent source of healing antioxidants.

• It contains healing substances including fluoride, catechins, and tannins.
• Green tea may help prevent various types of cancer, guard against heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure, promote longevity, stave off tooth decay (the tea contains the cavity fighter fluoride), help heal gum infections, and provide a number of other benefits.
• Because it contains astringent tannin compounds, green tea in moderation can ease indigestion, diarrhea, and other forms of stomach upset.
• The antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin-gallate) present in green tea may help prevent cancer. It sets in motion cell death in cancer cells, not healthy ones. EGCG may well enhance the body's natural antioxidant system as well, encouraging the elimination of damaging oxygen molecules called free radicals. Other preliminary research indicates that green tea can help to combat breast, stomach, and skin cancer. EGCG also appears to protect the heart and arteries from oxidative damage.
• Antioxidants in green tea may prevent and reduce the severity of osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that consuming approximately four cups of green tea a day can help protect against developing arthritis, and in those who already have arthritis, can help to diminish the inflammation it causes.