It seems as though every couple of weeks there is a new article about the benefits of green tea. This most recent article associates green tea consumption with a reduction in lung cancer for smokers. So if you don’t smoke do you need to consider green tea? Many other studies have linked green tea consumption with a reduction in other forms of cancer. So my answer would be yes, drink as much green tea as you can. We consume at least 6 cups of it each day.
What if you are one of those people that don’t like the flavor of green tea, then what? Both my husband and have learned to love green tea, but haven’t always. Initially I started by making big mugs of tea with one green tea bag and one earl grey tea bag. This worked well for my husband since he loves earl grey tea. You could do the same thing with any tea you like. We also add a splash of pomegranate juice to our tea for flavor instead of sugar. Again, any fruit juice would work in your tea but unsweetened pomegranate adds additional antioxidants, which is why we include it.
There have been so many studies linking green tea with a reduction in cancer I think it makes sense to try to cultivate a taste for it, if you haven’t already.
I drink Black Chai tea all day. Hope that has some value?
ReplyDeleteShenandoah,
ReplyDeleteI need to double check but what I remember is that black tea has something in the neighborhood of 10% the health benefits that are found in green tea. I don't remember the source at the moment, but when I stumble across it I will post the link.
Alicia
Thanks for sharing! I have been making a conscious effort to drink more green tea lately, and this only confirms that I should be doing so!
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteGreen tea is a fabulous item to add to your diet. We drink it as often as we can. The green tea contains more EGCG because it isn't fermented like black tea and oolong tea.
Every nutrition and/or cancer book I have read recommends consuming green tea as often as possible.
Alicia
I drink both green and black tea, but when I feel as if I might come down with something (a cold or other virus) I start drinking more green tea than usual. I'll drink 6 to 8 cups per day. I can't prove it scientifically, but I feel it really revitalizes my immune system. I either don't get sick afterall (despite having noticed some early symptoms) or my cold lasts only a few days rather than a week or two like others around me.
ReplyDeleteAisling,
ReplyDeleteI think you are right about green tea boosting your immune system. I think I remember reading that it increases the T cells (part of the immune system).
We have been making a conscious effort to drink 6 to 8 cups a day since last June and neither my husband nor I have had a cold since last spring. If I make it out of this winter without a cold it will be the first winter that has happened in a long time.
Thanks for letting me know it works for you too so I know it isn't just in my head.
Alicia
I love green tea. It's my go-to drink all day at work. Isn't it great when stuff you enjoy is pro-actively good for you?
ReplyDeleteRose,
ReplyDeleteI love green tea now too. It is great when something that you like is also good for you.
Do you have a favorite way to consume your green tea? I normally have mine with a splash of unsweetened pomegranate and a few slices of fresh ginger.
Alicia
Well, at work they stock Tazo brand "Zen Green Tea w/ Lemon Grass and Spearmint" so that's what I drink...I hope that green tea is good quality...it sure is a pleasant drink.
ReplyDeleteRose,
ReplyDeleteI like that particular Tazo too. I will try to remember to do a little research on Tazo green tea tomorrow to see where it is grown.
talk to you later,
Alicia
Thanks for sharing this wonderful info and the link to that article. I love green tea but I can't drink it in the afternoon because I can't sleep well at night.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! As you know, I now love green chai tea ( no milk in it) and my son loves green tea with pomegranite, thanks to your suggestion!
ReplyDeleteI entered my recipe from today's blog post over at the flicker group for the Healthy Cooking Challenge. This is fun and I'm glad I am able to participate.
Oraphan,
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear you like green tea too, but sorry you can't drink it in the afternoon. Have you tried a decaf version? From what I have read the EGCG is short lived in the body (reaching its maximum absorption in 3 to 5 hours). That is why we drink it all day long.
Janet,
I am so happy to hear that your son is now drinking green tea too! That is so great. :)
Yay, you are participating in the challenge. I can't wait to see what you submitted! I think I am having more fun with this than anyone.
talk to you both later,
Alicia
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteDo you know anything about Yerba mate? I've been drinking it daily for a while now and the package says "abundant antioxidants." I just thought to search the literature, but figured you might know.
Matt
Matt,
ReplyDeleteWe drink Yerba too. It doesn't seem to be as well studied (scientifically) as green tea so there isn't as much reliable info on it that I have found. Some of the producers claim it has more antioxidants than green tea.
Yerba is something that I make and keep in the refrigerator to have iced (since green tea should be consumed within 2 hours to get the maxium benefit we don't drink that iced).
I will do a little research later today and see if I can find something that appears well researched. If I do I will let you know.
Sorry I couldn't be more help,
Alicia
I'll have to do more research, but this isn't promising.
ReplyDelete"Owing to its
high prevalencein SouthernS outh America,mate drinking
may be linked to as many as 20% of all cases occurring in
this region.( Epidemiolog1y9 94;5:583-590)"
Matt,
ReplyDeleteCases of cancer I assume?
Please do let me know what you find and I will do the same.
It is always something isn't it?
Alicia