By: Muhammad Parvaiz
Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world second to water. Green, black and oolong are the three main varieties of tea. The source of all these varieties is a common plant named as Camellia sinesis. This classification is based on their processing. The type of the tea is determined by the level of oxidation of leaves. Unsweetened green tea is a zero calorie beverage. Green tea contains relatively a smaller amount of caffeine as compared to black tea. Green tea is made up of un-oxidized and least processed type of leaves and therefore contains antioxidants and some poly phenols as well, which are thought to provide anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Studies point out that green tea has many health benefits. It can control or cover up the diseases and infections in an amazing way. That is why green tea vastly getting its popularity and value in the health market. Green tea, native to China and India and has been consumed, hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally. It was traditionally used as a medicine to control bleeding and for the healing of wounds. It is better for digestion, regulating body temperature, protection against DNA damage or can show gene protective effects. Green tea extracts can be taken as a capsule and sometimes used in skin products also. Currently, only young leaves of green tea are being used for drinks and extracts and have been thoroughly studied for the research purpose; however, other parts of this plant are also explored for serving mankind. Green tea contains a variety of enzymes, Amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, sterols, polyphenols, carotenoids, and vitamins, phytochemical and dietary minerals.
Camellia sinensis also have insecticidal approaches and have a high mortality rate against many insects. Green tea exploited astonishing anti-lice activity which can be considered as a solution of many health problems. By taking at least one cup can reduce the risk of heart attack by 44%. Taking three to four cups a day decreases the coronary heart diseases death rate by 58%. A major cause of hypertension is an enzyme secreted by kidneys called as Angiotension Converting Enzyme. The green tea is considered to be a natural Angiotension Converting Enzyme inhibitor. As we know that people with the juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, the insulin production is little or inhibited completely, which results in the conversion of body glucose into energy. The green tea may help regulate glucose production in the body. Certain bacteria results food poisoning, green tea has a remarkable functionality to kill bacteria. It is an excellent medicine for food poisoning inhibitor. It prevents the growth of dangerous intestinal bacterial strains such as E. coli and clostridia, and promotes the growth of friendly bifid bacteria. Studies pointed the fact that, consuming seven cups of green tea per day can lower total cholesterol. However consuming four cups or less had no effects on cholesterol level. Clinical studies suggest that green tea may boost metabolism and help burn fat. The combination of green tea and caffeine improves the weight loss and sometimes balancing of weight in the obese. Muhammad Parvaiz is a Doctoral scholar and lecturer in Biology. He has published many research and review papers in well reputed national and international journals, Newspapers.