Drink Your Own Green Tea

The Asian countries, especially China, have been benefiting from excellent health for thousands of years by drinking green tea. Green tea was and is drank in large quantities for health and also in treating or prevent various forms of illness. There have been connections made between the longevity of life of the Chinese, they have the highest rate for individuals living over one hundred year of age, with their consumption of green tea. Even though green tea has been used in Asian cultures since ancient times, the rest of the world opened its eyes only recently to green tea.

 Researchers, scientists and nutritionists are all in agreement that green tea does indeed have healthful benefits. That's an amazing feat alone! The studies of scientists uncover the ability to aid in combating many varieties of illnesses, even cancers. Today there are even traditional medical doctors who suggest green tea use for helping with sickness and to drink it regularly in order to maintain a healthy self. So what is in green tea that makes it so wonderful?

 The first of many great things that green tea contains are the high concentrations of antioxidants. The polyphenols and flavenoids are the more pronounced antioxidants found in green tea. What makes them special and why does the body need them? Our bodies are constantly waging a war within to fight the free radicals roaming through our system. The free radicals, or oxidants, enter our bodies through the air we breathe which contains microscopic particles such as dust, pollution, smoke, germs and viruses to name some. Free radicals are suggested to be the starting point for growth of cancer cells.

 The particles in our bodies that are in a constant struggle against these free radicals are the antioxidants we introduce to our bodies through dietary intake. Although we get antioxidants naturally through eating fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs and in a few other sources, green tea far outshines those with a large dosing of the antioxidants. Foods that were for a long time known to have a generous supply of antioxidants, such as grape juice and red wine, are surpassed by green tea.

 Aside from the amazing supply of antioxidants, green tea also brings many vitamins to the table. Vitamin B6 is an important nutrient needed for managing the metabolism in the body. This has become a popular topic amongst those trying to lose weight and fat. Green tea also has Vitamin B1 and B2. These vitamins are used for the conversion of energy from food intake that is usable for function and activity. Again, these vitamins in green tea help the dieter maintain energy for exercise and keeping up an active lifestyle. With the vitamin supply, green tea also provides essential minerals such as magnesium and potassium. Magnesium helps with bone growth and developments in the body while potassium is needed to regulate both the function of the heart but also the correct fluid levels needed in the body.

 One disadvantage to green tea as some consider it, is that it contains caffeine. When comparing a cup of green tea to a cup of coffee, it actually does not work on the body in the same way that caffeinated coffee would. For instance, coffee directly affects the nervous system in a spike while green tea slowly introduces the caffeine into the body and is slowly released for longer attentiveness. Coffee shows raises in blood pressure and heart beats, nervousness and tremors. Green tea does none of those things and actually helps to keep you active for longer periods, which again aids the dieter.

 For the most beneficial results from green tea, it must be brewed fresh and never fermented as other teas often are. There are specific reasons for why this is.

 #1 reason - Brewing allows the vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants and good flavor to remain. Fermentation not only loses many of the nutritional values of the green tea leaves but often destroys the flavor too.

 #2 reason - A soft brewing technique allows for Catechin and Theanin to be released with precision. They work to keep the level of caffeine down in your tea.

 #3 reason - Brewing green tea makes a better drink. The taste and smell of fresh brewed green tea is far different and better than fermented versions.

 Brewing a great cup of green tea is not difficult, much to people's amazement. Some tips for making a great green tea are shared here:

 #1 - Type of Water

 Your cup of green tea will reflect the tastes and odors found in your water. So choose to use water that is optimal for the best results. Natural water or mineral water is recommended by some and filtered tap water is acceptable by others. It really is your choice and preference.

 #2 - Water free of Chlorine

 Chlorine effects the quality of the final product and should be avoided. To get rid of chlorine that may be in your water supply, leave your water open in the boiling pot for a few hours before using it. The chlorine will evaporate from it, or at least most of it.

 #3 - Process for Boiling

 Watching for when the water begins to boil, take off the lid and boil for a few more minutes.

 #4 - Temperature

 Green tea is temperamental, as far as temperature is concerned. Polyphenols are extracted at a particular temperature. There should be instructions with your purchased green tea leaves that will state the correct temperature needed.

 #5 - Steep

 Let your tea leaves steep or sit for three to five minutes. The longer the tea steeps for, results in the increased amounts of caffeine for the final product.

 #6 - Size of Leaves

 Studies show that small leaves infuse the water faster than large ones do. Large leaves or leaves that are curled will take longer infusion time and require more steeping and thus more caffeine that is released.

 #7 - Loose Leaves vs. Teabags

 Loose leaves allow the antioxidants to be released easily into the water, where teabags form a trap in a sense and prevent you from getting the best cup of green tea possible. Also, many people find that loose leaves provide a much better flavor than processed teabags do.