Health Care Tea
Health Care Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. It has a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavour that many people enjoy. Tea likely originated in China during the Shang Dynasty as a medicinal drink. Tea was first introduced to Portuguese priests and merchants in China during the 16th century. Drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century. The British introduced tea to India, in order to compete with the Chinese monopoly on tea. Green Tea Green tea is made from the leaves from Camellia sinensis that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originates in China, but it has become associated with many cultures throughout Asia. Green tea has recently become more widespread in the West, where black tea has been the traditionally consumed tea. Green tea has become the raw material for extracts which are used in various beverages, health foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetic items. Many varieties of green tea have been created in the countries where it is grown. These varieties can differ substantially due to variable growing conditions, horticulture, production processing, and harvesting time. The mean content of flavonoids in a cup of green tea is higher than that in the same volume of other food and drink items that are traditionally considered of health contributing nature, including fresh fruits, vegetable juices or wine.Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals present in most plant products that are responsible for health effects such as anti-oxidative and anticarcinogenic functions. However, the content of flavonoids may vary dramatically amongst different tea products.
Water for green tea, according to regions of the world that prefer mild tea, should be around 80 to 85 C (176 to 185 F); the higher the quality of the leaves, the lower the temperature. Hotter water will produce a bitter taste. However, this is the method used in many regions of the world, such as North Africa or Central Asia, where bitter tea is appreciated. For example, in Morocco, green tea is steeped in boiling water for 15 minutes. In the West and Far East, a milder tea is appreciated. The container in which the tea is steeped, the mug or teapot, is often warmed beforehand so the tea does not immediately cool down. Highquality green and white teas can have new water added as many as five or more times, depending on variety, at increasingly higher temperatures. Green tea is made from unfermented leaves that are steamed (like the white tea). While white tea has a light, sweet flavor, green tea is recognized for its prominent grassy taste. There are several common varieties of green tea including Matcha, Hyson, Sencha, and Dragon Well. The Benefits: Packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants, green tea has been linked to cancer prevention, healthy teeth and gums, increased immunity, and weight loss. A study in the December 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking several cups of green tea a day decreased the symptoms of depression in men by 34 percent and by 39 percent in women. Drinking brewed green tea is the most effective way to get EGCG, an ingredient known to speed up metabolism. Drinking three cups of green tea a day can increase metabolism by up to 10 percent. Tea's health benefits are largely due to its high content of flavonoids plantderived compounds that are antioxidants. Green tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. In test tubes, catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other diseasefighting properties. Studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder. Drinking a cup of tea a few times a day to absorb antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. In green-tea drinking cultures,
the usual amount is three cups per day. Allow tea to steep for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins.