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All tea is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Period. Anything else cannot be called tea - it is a tisane. The least processed leaves are sold as green tea. Green tea is most commonly prepared as a beverage, which allegedly has beneficial health effects, in cooking or as an extract. Research into the properties of Camellia Sinensis has discovered that two crucial compounds that occur naturally in the leaves show great promise in the treatment of cancer tumours. The two compounds are the antioxidant chemicals epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechingallate (ECG). Recent studies indicate that green tea can help to reduce the likelihood of prediabetes developing into type 2 diabetes. In the same sort of region, researchers found that they are also able to compensate for a genetic disorder called hyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia (HHS). In this disorder, patients, generally children, over-produce insulin when they eat protein. Since protein doe not affect the blood glucose level, they can become severally hypoglycaemic which in extreme cases, leads to coma and even to death. This is caused by a failure of the system that regulates the digestion of amino acids. Too much glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), an enzyme responsible for the digestion of amino acids, is released into the system. EGCG and ECG were found to be effective by inhibiting the action of this enzyme. These results have been validated by other groups who have extended these findings in cell (in vitrio) models to demonstrate that blocking GDH with green tea is very effective at killing two different kinds of tumour namely glioblastomas (an aggressive type of brain tumour) and tuberous sclerosis complex disorder which is a genetic disease that causes non-malignant tumours to grow on a number of organs. It remains to be proven that the levels of the two antioxidants provided by greet tea or the extract, are high enough to work in the body. Green tea can be found on most supermarket shelves in the form of tea bags and loose tea as well as commercially produced iced teas and other fruit drinks. The highest levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and epicatechingallate (ECG) are to be found in properly stored high grade loose leaf forms. The teabags are a waste of time, they contain little flavour and, because the teas have been ground finely, the antioxidants have already oxidised so there will be no health benefits either. It is has also been reported that green tea allows sports players to recover more quickly from dehydration and nutrient loss. So even professional athletes are beginning to recognize the power of green tea, several thousand years after the Chinese! But beware, too much, more than five cups per day, for example, could be detrimental to your health. It can cause side effects mainly because of the caffeine. These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhoea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremor, heartburn, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and confusion. It also seems to reduce the absorption of iron from food which could lead to anaemia. Disclaimer: This is not intended as a medical article, it is simply reporting on some recent findings as to the potential this amazing beverage. You should seek medical advice from a properly qualified health worker before using any tea product medicinally. Experience the benefits of loose green tea for yourself, organic teas from China, exactly as nature intended.
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green tea, health benefits, antioxidants, cancer, diabetes, beverage, teas,
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