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Tea is the second-most consumed beverage by human beings after water. Millions of people across the world over consume tea. Studies suggest that the first evidence of cultivating tea were found in India and China. In the last few years, from doctors to Buddhist monks, globally people are advocating the benefit of consuming tea, especially green tea, as a health medicine.
Tea is usually one of three types – black, oolong, and green. Green tea is famed to contain the highest quantity of antioxidants as it is made from unfermented leaves, and therefore its reputation as a health medicine. In herbal medicines made in India, China, parts of Thailand and Japan, green tea is used as an astringent, diuretic and stimulant.
For overweight people thinking of how to get back into shape, having green tea first thing in the morning and several times through the day could be a great starting point. Clinical studies have shown that consumption of green tea plays a major role in reducing total cholesterol and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. It is also instrumental in lowering the risk of coronary heart diseases. Animal studies show that green tea can prevent Type 1 diabetes and even inhibit the progression of this disease in people in whom it already exists.
Green tea’s efficacy seems to be widely recognized in inhibiting different types of cancer. The rate of cancer incidence seems to be low in Japan, where traditionally people consume regular cups of green tea. However, there are no definitive scientific studies to back this perception.
Some researchers have proven that cancer in the bladder, ovary, breasts, esophagus, pancreas and stomach have very low possibility of incidence in people who regularly consume tea and especially green tea. However, green tea has not yet been widely used in pediatric research, so it is not yet recommended for children as a health medicine.