Health Benefits of Green and Black Tea

Green tea has shown far greater antioxidant protection than the well know polyphenols in antioxidant vitamins such as C and E. Green tea is 6% more potent as an antioxidant than black tea.

Well, did you know that green tea as well as black, white and oolong teas are all derived from the same plant – Camellia sinensis. The only difference is the way of processing. Green tea, as opposed to black and oolong, is the one that’s processed the least – the process of oxidation is skipped here. This is the reason why it retains its green color.

Green tea is already well known for its health benefits. Now black tea is also showing to have benefits. Some components in black tea, such as theaflavins and thearubigins, may be considered as insulin substitute.

Green tea is produced by lightly steaming the fresh cut black tea leaf, whereas black tea, the leaves are oxidized which destroys some of the compounds which have the potent antioxidant and anticancer properties that green tea has.

Viral & Bacterial Agents Lowered:

Green tea has shown to inhibit the spread of disease. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective in treating everything from tooth decay and HIV. Green tea can also relieve influenza and diarrhea.

Black tea has been found to increase the presence of certain anti-bacterial proteins in the body. Not just by a little bit either, but a considerable amount. When compared to coffee drinkers, tea drinkers actually had a concentration of disease preventing protein that was 400% higher. Clearly, these are significant health benefits to be had from drinking tea. The are even more benefits though. Mental acuity can be increased as well. A study of elderly people found that those who drink tea actually reduce their risk of mental problems by half when compared to people who don't drink tea.

Cholesterol Reduction:

Researchers have found that by drinking green tea the "bad" cholesterol can be reduced, and tea drinkers can eat almost twice the foods containing cholesterol as those who don't drink green tea, but still have an equal cholesterol count. This is important to note if you are an off-season bodybuilder and may be consuming hi amounts of cholesterol.

Tea is the only natural source of fluoride for humans. We already know that fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and decreases mouth bacteria. Tea makes a great mouthwash since it inhibits the growth of E. coli and Streptococcus.

Another benefit of green tea consumption is improved endurance capacity. The energy provided for the enhanced endurance is again from the increase in fat oxidation. With other words you will last more when running or doing any other intense physical activity, while using fat for energy.

Tea helps boost metabolism because it contains Vitamins B1 (Thiamine) and B2 (Riboflavin.) These B vitamins are also found in eggs and nuts. They are necessary for converting food into energy the body can burn. Riboflavin also helps the body metabolize proteins. Insufficient store of B vitamins has been linked to strokes.