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Is Green Tea the next Miracle Drug?

Green tea contains chemicals that experts say may help combat cancer and cardiovascular diseases. While there are no comprehensive studies proving a tangible health improvement simply from consuming tea, most doctors say the antioxidants and flavonoids present in tea are known for their health benefits. Drinking a few cups a day, they say, certainly can`t hurt.

'The help might be manifested maybe over years and years,' Edward Geltman, a cardiologist at Washington University`s School of Medicine, told United Press International. 'It`s not going to replace' treatment.

One recent article published in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons compiles data from more than 100 studies that look at the health benefits of green tea, including the potentially cancer-fighting antioxidants and heart-healthy flavonoids that naturally occur in the beverage.

'Part of my confidence in this is based on the fact that (the makeup of green tea) really fits in with a number of other nutrients that are being used and have been associated with health benefits,' Bauer Sumpio, Yale University cardiologist and the study`s lead author, told United Press International.

Sumpio and colleagues from Yale call their findings the 'Asian paradox' -- people living in countries throughout Asia smoke cigarettes heavily but have significantly lower occurrences of cardiovascular problems than their American counterparts.

The cause, the researchers say, may be the 'liters' of green tea people throughout the continent drink every day.

'I was really impressed by the fact that when you go (to Asia ) you see people drinking green tea all the time,' Sumpio said. 'They always have this thing of green tea and they just keep pouring hot water into and they drink it all day long.'

But drinking such a significant amount of caffeinated tea may be dangerous for patients with existing cardiovascular problems. Geltman said he tells his patients with serious heart problems to stop consuming caffeine entirely. Decaffeinated tea, however, loses the antioxidants that many say make the beverage so healthy.

'Even though the caffeine level (in green tea) is 40 percent of that of coffee, that translates to a significant amount of caffeine' if patients are drinking at least a liter each day, Geltman said.

The U.S. Food Drug Administration is not so sure about the health benefits of tea, however.

In May, the FDA prevented one tea company from putting labels on their packages espousing the cardiovascular benefits of drinking their product. 'FDA concludes there is no credible evidence to support qualified health claims for green tea or green tea extract and a reduction of a number of risk factors associated with' cardiovascular disease, wrote Barbara Schneeman, the director of the FDA`s Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements. Her letter denied a petition from Ito En (North America) requesting to be allowed to label its tea packages with the beverage`s purported cardiovascular benefits. Representatives from the tea industry, however, insist that they are not selling their product based on any clinically proven benefits. Tea is only a naturally healthy drink, not a drug. 'There is a growing body of evidence that suggests it might be a very healthy addition to your diet,' said Joe Simrany, president of the Tea Association of America. But 'if consumers don't like the taste of tea, regardless of how good it is for you, they`re not going to drink it.'

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Report by Mara Gordon
UPI

Green Tea Benefits Trivia:

Did you know that:

• EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate is the most abundant antioxidant catechin in green tea. It is found in high amounts in this beverage as the green tea leaves undergo very minimal amounts of oxidation. EGCG in green tea has exceptional anti-inflammatory and immune strengthening properties. Read more about EGCG here.

• Green tea is often classified as one of the so-called 'superfoods' due to its wealth of health-boosting components that may help fight a wide array of ailments and diseases. 'Superfood' is the term used to describe foods with high antioxidant and phytonutrient content. Go here to find a list of 'superfoods'.

• Vitamin C is said to help the body absorb more of the antioxidant content of green tea. New studies have shown that taking citrus juices, like those of oranges and lemons, along with green tea enable more of the tea's antioxidants to remain after the digestion process is completed. Read more about Vitamin C here.

• Antioxidants in green tea help fight the ravages of free radicals that are seen as the source of many of today's debilitating diseases. Did you know that aside from the catechins that are so abundant in green tea, there are many other types of antioxidants? Discover them all here.

• Green tea is said to help in lowering calories and fighting fat. This seeming ability to aid in weight loss is attributed to the polyphenols found in the beverage. Read more about green tea's fat-fighting abilities here.

• The Japanese and the people from the Meditteranean have some of the world's longest life expectancy rates. And while the Japanese look to green tea as their favorite after-meal drink, the Mediterranean peoples love to have red wine after their meals. Green tea and red wine? Could any two beverages be any more different? Discover what makes red wine a healthy drink when taken in moderation here.

• The quality of the water used to brew the tea is very important. It is believed that the water used must be free of contaminants and contain enough oxygen to enhance the natural flavor of the tea. Teas made with pure water yield a crisp flavor and a clear brew that is aesthetically pleasant. Learn more about the health benefits of water here.

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Green Tea Benefits Video This video shows a concise backgrounder on the different health benefits of green tea.

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