tea 101: green tea
Green tea is made from leaves that are unwilted and unoxidized. The leaves are immediately steamed or heated after picking to destroy the enzymes that cause oxidation. They are then rolled and dried. The minimal processing involved in making green tea keeps an abundance of the tea’s beneficial chemicals undamaged. Green teas are characterized by a lighter color, fragrant and delicate flavor, and less caffeine than black or oolong teas.
|epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), a compound found in the tea, inhibits the growth of cancer cells|
|extract increases metabolism and may help in weight loss|
|lowers total cholesterol levels and improves balance of high density lipoprotein (HDL, “good”) cholesterol to low density lipoprotein (LDL, “bad”) cholesterol|
|may be helpful in alleviating symptoms of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and various infections|
|improves immune function|