Green Tea News

August 3rd, 2009 · No Comments · Green Tea Products

Two important pieces of information on Green Tea came to my attention today.

Green Tea This is not accidental. My “radar” is turned on for new information about green tea. I think it’s so important that everyone must be aware of the benefits.

Firstly Dr Jon Barron has written on his site about green tea – an extract of his article follows, as I wouldn’t dare to paraphrase scientific stuff:-

“As I mentioned earlier, the reported benefits of green tea are multitudinous…and well studied. For example, green tea inhibits tumor growth in a variety of cancers, including: breast, lung, and prostate cancers. Specifically, the EGCG in green tea works to suppress angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels that tumors need to survive. And if that’s not enough — stopping the growth of cancer at the front end — green tea polyphenols have been shown to inhibit metastasis, the spread of cancer at the back end. And finally, EGCG is the first known natural telomerase inhibitor. That is to say, it eliminates the “immortality” of cancer cells which is their trademark and which makes them so deadly. The bottom line is that green tea is particularly effective in destroying the causes of leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and seems to provide the best protection known in terms of preventing lung cancer. And green tea seems to be able to almost totally prevent cancer causing DNA damage in smokers — a possible explanation as to why the Japanese, who are among the world’s heaviest smokers, have such a low incidence of lung cancer.

And the benefits of green tea don’t stop there. It has also been shown to be effective in regulating blood sugar, reducing cholesterol and triglycerides, and in reversing the ravages of heart disease. (Incidentally, the Japanese, who drink large amounts of green tea, have some of the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world.)”

However there is a conundrum. What do I mean? Dr Barron referred to it as a Catch 22 situation. Meaning that no-one can claim health benefits for green tea because as he puts it (quoted from his site again):-

“When it comes to herbs and supplements, governments all over the world do everything in their power to prevent you from ever seeing any information at all that might indicate they offer any real health benefits. But like Catch 22, they catch you coming and going.

If you can’t prove the benefits to their satisfaction (and how much more do we need to see on the benefits of green tea), you can’t talk about the benefits because they would amount to unsubstantiated health claims.
On the other hand, if you can prove the benefits, you can’t sell the supplements because they would no longer be supplements. They would be drugs and therefore too valuable to be left in the hands of anyone but the pharmaceutical companies.
Damned if you do. Damned if you don’t.”

Do you see the problem? I guess it’s only a problem if you’re prepared to ignore thousands years of use, and require scientific “evidence”.

Secondly, Mike Adams NaturalNews.com site relates that a nutrient found in green tea (plus grapes and cocoa):-

“could have a significant impact on the brain cell damage that leads to Alzheimer’s disease, according to the results of a new study carried out by scientists at Kings College, London (UK).

A research team headed by Dr Robert Williams, a lead scientist at the Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, examined the effects of epicatechin, a nutrient found abundantly in the three foods, in a model of Alzheimer’s disease and assessed the potential effectiveness it might have to slow signs of deterioration leading to the illness.

Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be caused by a build up of sticky proteins in the brain called ‘amyloid plaques’. Results revealed that epicatechin may prevent their formation.

“We have found that epicatechin protects brain cells from damage. This is interesting because epicatechin and its breakdown products are one of the relatively few flavonoids known to access the brain, suggesting it has the potential to be bioactive in humans”, said Dr Williams.”

For myself I’m prepared to accept the historical evidence and results of newer studies and believe that green tea (or white tea) is actually very good for me, in lots of ways. Green tea extract is available in various products, as well you can drink green tea itself. I can suggest a very convenient product called Organic Green Tea Diet which has green tea extract as it’s main ingredient. Why not try it for yourself as the makers offer a free trial.

Alternatively I suggest my may like to try 100% Natural Wu Yi Tea.