Green Tea: From Ancient China To The Modern Age
It is hardly surprising that green tea occupies the lofty place in Chinese society that it has enjoyed for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese were the first to discover the seemingly miraculous properties of green tea, and it was inevitable that the rest of the world would eventually take notice. Green tea has definitely come a long way since the first pot was brewed in China more than 4,000 years ago, and for many people, it has become an integral part of daily life.
Where it all began
Green tea is still one of the most popular teas in China, with a reputation that has remained untarnished for thousands of years. Produced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea shares this botanical origin with other noteworthy teas such as oolong and black tea.
It is interesting to note that the Chinese have used green tea for its medicinal benefits, much as the rest of the world uses it today. Green tea enjoyed a much broader use in those times however, and it was used to treat everything from nausea to headaches, and even depression. While green tea is not used for nearly as many common ailments as it was in those days, it has a number of modern-day medical uses as well.
From a scientific perspective
Much of the health beneficial qualities of green tea can be attributed to its flavonoid content, of which the substances known as catechins are the most abundant. The primary catechin in green tea is called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, and this powerful antioxidant has been shown to have remarkable anti-inflammatory, anti-cholesterol, anti-fat, and anti-cancer qualities.
Green tea precautions
As safe as green tea is and as free as it may appear to be from side-effects, it is still a chemically-active food that you would do well to clear with your doctor before taking. Women who are pregnant or are planning to conceive should be particularly careful about drinking green tea in order to avoid any possible health complications. This precaution goes for women that are breastfeeding as well.
As for its caffeine content, you will be glad to know that green tea contains a lot less caffeine than black tea, although it still has enough caffeine content to cause restlessness, insomnia, frequent urination, and other effects of caffeine consumption in certain susceptible individuals.
That being said, green tea is one of the safest health foods around today, and it is certainly a lot safer than many of the weight loss medications available that are predominantly chemical-based. Nevertheless, consultation with your doctor is recommended in order to determine if green tea is indeed right for you.