Tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water. Whether it is black, green or red Wulong / Oolong tea, they all contain polyphenols, which give tea its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants may help protect our body from free radical damage. Indeed, tea ranks as high as or higher than many fruits and vegetables in the ORAC score, a score which measures antioxidant potential of plant-based foods.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of polyphenols. Some studies indeed suggested that tea’s polyphenols may reduce risk of gastric, oesophageal and skin cancers if one consumes 4 to 6 cups daily. Other laboratory studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels. A recent study published in December 2005 showed that just 2 cups of tea may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 46 percent in women.

· Possible prevention of some cancers
· Possible reduction of heart attack and stroke
· Half the amount of caffeine in coffee
· A good source of fluoride

Bottom Line: Consider including 1-2 cups of tea as a healthy part of your daily diet.

Chinese/Japanese Green tea is known as a drink which has many benefits for your health.
Dr. Oguni, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences in University of Shizuoka,
Hamamatsu College, Japan discusses the healthy benefits of green tea in his site, Green Tea and Human Health.

Preventing the increase of cholesterol
Catechin prevents the excessive buildup of blood cholesterol.

Controlling high blood pressure
Catechin suppresses production of angiotensin II which leads to high blood pressure.

Slowing the aging process
Consuming agents that are effective antioxidants will slow the aging process.

Reducing the risk of cancer
Catechin is said to be effective to reduce the growth of cancer.

Lowering blood sugar
Catechin and polysaccharides are effective in lowering blood sugar.

Practicing good oral hygiene
Catechin suppresses the formation of plaque by cariogenic bacteria and also kills the bacteria themselves.
It also kills other bacteria that cause bad breath. Green tea contains natural fluorine which helps prevent cavities.

Preventing food poisoning
Catechin, the bitter ingredients of green tea in green tea effectively kills bacteria which
causes food poisoning and also kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.

Green tea is rich in vitamin E, which works as antioxidant. Also, catechin in green tea is a very strong antioxidant.
Chinese people like to drink green tea after meals. Why don’t you start having a cup of green tea after your meal?

LINKS FOR FURTHER READING

Oolong Tea Increases Metabolic Rate and Fat Oxidation in Men
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/131/11/2848

Drinking a half-cup of tea per day cuts hypertension risk in half
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52395

Evidence is mounting that black, green, and oolong tea
have important health benefits.
http://www.tributetea.com/tea_news/switch.htm