Diet tea has been consumed for many years by dieters. It is common to see private labeled diet tea products in grocery stores. Many believe diet tea is good for diets because it is less than 5 calories per serving, has caffeine that helps the body burn more calories, and has polyphenols which aid in the digestion of fat.

Chinese diet tea, fasting tea, slimming tea, super dieters tea, weight loss tea, although they come with somewhat different names, all promote a common message just drink this tea and you will lose weight. However, many experts noted that what you are actually drinking from these products is a plant based laxative that can cause certain disorders like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fainting, chronic constipation and perhaps even death when consumed in excessive amounts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once stressed that the laxative teas and dietary supplements of most concern are those containing one or more of the substances, such as aloe, senna, rhubarb root, buckthorn, castor oil, and cascara. These products are derived from plants and have been used since time immemorial for their ability to relieve constipation and promote bowel movements. They are deemed effective for such purposes with occasional use.

It is not true that by taking a laxative to have a bowel movement that it will help you lose weight. Laxative-induced diarrhea takes place in the colon, after the small intestine absorbs all the calories. It is never a good idea to take laxatives in order to lose weight. Not only does it not work, it can cause serious health problems.

Also found out is that when the Chinese diet teas are misused by steeping the tea longer than product labeling recommends can lead to short as well as long term adverse condition. This is also true when the Chinese diet teas are taken more than the recommended amount.

Those who drink tea more than the recommended amount usually suffer from vomiting, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. These symptoms will last for several days. When these laxatives are constantly used, laxative dependency will develop which can lead to abdominal pain and constipation. In severe cases, these laxatives can cause electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. These cases are most likely to occur in people who are on some rigorous weight-loss dieting.

Under review is whether or not the FDA will make manufacturers place a warning label on all teas that contain the laxative plants mentioned above. This would be very helpful for new tea drinkers to learn the risks of drinking large amounts of tea. In addition, the recommended directions label should always be carefully followed.

May you enjoy this article on things you need to know before drinking Chinese tea. For the largest collection of teas from all major suppliers at prices you can compare and shop for the best deals go to Ginseng Green Tea

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Polyphenols in green tea are all the rage. The health establishment in the United States now endorses drinking a glass of green tea every day because of these new found polyphenols.

Part of what makes vegetables and fruits so healthy is catechins. Catechins are also found in green tea. The type of catechin found in green tea is the most powerful and is called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate).

This compound is dubbed the "super antioxidant" because it is more powerful than the popular antioxidants Vitamin E and Vitamin C. This super antioxidant eliminates free radicals, the unstable molecules in the body that are the major cause of both aging and disease, which continually attack the body and leave the body vulnerable to disease.

So how do free radicals cause damage within the human body? They interfere with what is called the biochemical process that takes place within all cells. Free radicals ultimately kill healthy cells by destroying enzymes and other cellular functions. Just as bad, free radicals produce toxic waste. These highly reactive molecules damage not only proteins, but actual DNA as well.

There are different types of free radicals but all are children of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM). So oxidation inside the body is harmful. Yes, we need oxygen to survive, but because of this need, reactive oxygen metabolites are produced. These free radicals age and destroy our cells. These free radicals have been linked to illness, sickness, aging, heart disease, cancer, and even arthritis.

If your body does not have much of an antioxidant line of defense, your cells oxidize faster which speeds up the aging process. So by consuming antioxidants, you not only improve your body's immune system, you slow down the aging process as well.

Since EGCG contained in green tea is a potent antioxidant it neutralizes free radicals and hence is responsible for the health promoting benefits listed below.

Lower LDL levels

Increase HDL (good)-cholesterol levels

Lowers the risk of cancer and heart attack

Less strokes suffered by green tea drinkers

Lowers the risk of arthritis

Enhance immune function

Kills bacteria. Has anti-viral properties. Helps lower weight.

Increases life span because of antioxidant properties

One tea bag provides anywhere from 120 to 350 mg of polyphenols and has a high concentration of EGCG. Scientists now believe that EGCG has 100 times more antioxidants than Vitamin C and 30 times more antioxidants than Vitamin E.

Green tea has been used for centuries in China for the health benefits it provides. We are just now scratching the surface of what green tea has to offer, new studies come out constantly that provide data on the effectiveness of green tea against various ailments.

A new research study was just released a few months ago that linked green tea to preventing Alzheimer's. The EGCG in green tea decreases the production of a protein which in large amounts causes memory loss.

Green tea now comes in both patch and liquid form.

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For some 4,700 years, green tea leaves have been used as a drink. Indeed, ancient people discovered the health benefits of consuming green tea long ago. Our own scientists have now verified the healthy benefits of drinking green tea by telling us precisely what chemicals in this beverage do what. But what you likely have never heard of is that your used green tea leaves can be used in a number of ways around your home.

When you are done using the tea leaves to make a pot of tea, put them in a strainer to drain out all the water. Put them out in the sunlight for a 2 days to get them totally dry. You can turn them after a day. You want your used green tea leaves to become nice and dry so that they just crumble when crushed in your hand. You can now use these leaves in a few ways I will list below.

Carpet Cleaning - Crush some dried leaves and sprinkle them onto your carpet. These crushed leaves will absorb odor. Leave them on your carpet for a few minutes and then vacuum them up. The leaves help fight bacteria and odors.

Gardening - Green tea leaves can also be sprinkled near plant roots and buried with soil as a natural fertilizer. In fact, a few companies sell dried tea leaves as a fertilizer. Save your money by making your own green tea fertilizer. The tea leaves will give your plants a nitrogen boost which will help them grow.

Deodorize - You can use crushed green tea leaves to remove bad smells throughout your house. If you have a bad smell in your refrigerator, put some crushed tea leaves in an uncovered bowl for a few days. If you have a strong smell on your hands such as garlic, you can rub your hands in the crushed tea leaves to remove the smell. You can even use the crushed tea leaves to deodorize your dog's bed where he sleeps or the favorite spot your cat likes to lay in.

Make a Pillow - For many people, the aroma that comes from green tea helps them sleep at night. The idea then is to make a pillow out of your used tea leaves. The tea pillow will give off a slight scent that will help you sleep at night. Just remember to open up your pillow once a week to let it air out because the dried tea leaves will absorb the moisture that comes from your breath.

Skin Care - Green tea leaves have healing properties. They are perfect for healing minor cuts and scrapes. Many drug stores now sell a green tea solution that does this. Rumor has it that green tea leaves also help with puffy eyes. Put some dried leaves into a small cotton bag and run water over it. Squeeze out the extra water and then place the bag over your closed eyes for a few minutes each day.

I am sure that there are many more ways you can recycle your used green tea leaves around your home. If you have come up with another use that I have not listed above, write to me and let me know. If your idea is a good one, I will share it with everyone.

May you find this article on green tea helpful. To discover more about the incredible health benefits of drinking green tea go to buy green tea and for the largest selection of teas at the cheapest prices go to buy tea

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