History is a great teacher. One lesson learned over the centuries is the benefit to incorporating green tea into your diet. Thought to have originated in China, green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis, a white-flowered evergreen.

Green Tea in Production!

Green tea has been the subject of extensive research over the years as to its health benefits. It is thought that regular consumption can reduce the risks of heart disease and some cancers. Why?

Green tea contains high levels of phytonutrients and is particularly rich in health-promoting polyphenols, including catechins. The most abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG], thought to be 20 – 100 times more potent an antioxidant than vitamins C and E. It is EGCG that plays an important role in green tea’s anti-oxidant and anti-cancer effects. One cup provides 20 – 35 mg of EGCG.

China produces the most green tea in the world, but it is thought that Japan produces the best quality. An example of a nutrient-rich green tea, Matcha, comes in a stone-ground powder form and is completely unfermented. It retains all the nutrient-rich value possible from the tea leaf and does not have a bitter taste. Ensure the green tea you buy is USDA organic to ensure no pesticides are used.

Cup of Green Tea

Brewing the perfect cup of green tea depends upon the type of tea selected. Steeping times vary from 30 seconds to over five minutes. Temperatures range from 142 – 189°F [61 – 87°C]. Note boiling water is never used in steeping the perfect cup. Green tea contains caffeine, though much less than that found in black tea and in coffee. It is available decaffeinated.

If you’ve never had green tea before, experiment. It tastes great and the benefits noted above make it a superb addition to your anti-aging lifestyle.