Tea from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant

Regular tea, as most people know it, is from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. There are three primary varieties of tea: green tea, oolong tea, and black tea, sorted according to their oxidation levels (known as the fermentation activity). Green tea is steamed, baked, or pan heated to prevent oxidation for that reason the leaves remain green. Not like green tea, oolong tea is partially fermented, and black tea is fully fermented.

So why is green tea getting all the attention in the science world? It's generally because of the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG), the important substance considered beneficial for one's health that is preserved in green tea but lost in oolong and black varieties when fermented. Antioxidants are considered to protect against free radicals.

A scientific explanation: Basically, a free radical is any molecular groups capable of independent existence, which includes one or more unpaired electrons not contributing to intermolecular bonding, and is, in that way, "free". They are caused by oxidation/reduction reactions, in which there is a transfer of only one electron at a time, or when a covalent bond is damaged and one electron from every pair persists with each atom. Consequently, a free radical carries an unpaired electron.

Plenty of free radicals are quite reactive, due to the bias of electrons to couple; that is, to couple by the delivery of an electron from a proper donor or to give an electron to the right acceptor. Once a free radical reacts with a non-radical, a chain reaction is initiated until two free radicals interact and after that stop the distribution with a 2-electron bond, with every single radical giving its single unpaired electron. The free radicals of definite focus in aging are the oxygen free radicals. These free radicals regularly carry an electron apart from a "target" molecule to pair with their single free electron; this is what is generally known as oxidation. The term reactive oxygen species is used to refer to these oxidants and the oxygen free radicals.

Inside the human body, oxidized free radicals are considered to stimulate tissue damage at the cellular level, initiating damage to our DNA, mitochondria (the powerhouse of the cell), and cell membrane, and have commonly been mentioned as one of the causal agents attributed to aging, cancer, heart disease, and other human disorders dangerous to one's health. While the green tea ion of free radicals is a normal part of metabolism at the cellular level, things such as extreme alcohol intake, cigarette smoking, and many chemical exposures only serve to gain the number of free radicals existent in the body. To evade free radical damage the body has a immune system of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and stop the chain reaction before crucial molecules are harmed (as in Vitamin C), or seek out and scavenge free radicals (as in Vitamin E). This is where it can be pointed out that study has stated that one of the great antioxidants found in green tea (EGCG) has been shown to be much more powerful than both Vitamins C and E. In comparison to other popular antioxidants, EGCG was proven to be 100 times more strong than vitamin C, 25 times more effective than Vitamin E and twice as powerful as resveratrol in neutralizing free radicals.

About Green Tea Extract: Green tea is rich in fluoride and therefore can help reduce tooth decay. Green tea extract has also been successfully used in the relief of respiratory and digestive related conditions and to boost immune system function. Green tea extract helps decrease hormone activity and is an effective treatment for acne. Green tea extract also protects against liver damage. Green tea helps promote healthy gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and colon) and lungs.

For more information about Green Tea Extract, please visit our website where you can find out all about dietary supplements.

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This post was written by Keith Odom on January 11, 2011

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Anti Aging Polyphenols And Wu Long Tea

by Berry Fei

Would you like to know more about POLYPHENOLS and why are they so incredibly important?? Polyphenols are antioxidants from plant foods that work in the body to enhance health in complex ways, and as such they are not simply antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect the body from free radicals, which are special molecules and fragments of molecules that can damage your body from a cellular level. Antioxidants protect the body from damaging oxidation reactions. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical, hence stabilizing the free radical and preventing damage.

Generally polyphenols are divided into hydrolyzable tannins (gallic acid esters of glucose and other sugars) and phenylpropanoids, such as lignins, flavonoids, and condensed tannins. Polyphenols are also classified by the type and number of phenolic subcomponents present. Polyphenols are found in most types of berries and grapes. More commonly known ones are acai berries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. They are also found in teas, wines, and soybeans. Polyphenols are non-vitamin antioxidants common in the diet and particularly abundant in teas, juices and wines.

Tea polyphenols are not something you hear about every day, but they should be. Tea and coffee are very rich sources certain types of polyphenols. Tea polyphenols, or flavonoids, scavenge for those oxidants and take them out before they can cause cellular damage. Tea polyphenols are linked to disease prevention and anti aging.

Green tea has been the preferred beverage for centuries in many Asian and European countries. Green tea is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. Green tea contains antioxidants properties, polyphenols, theanine, as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Green tea has at least 3 times the antioxidants of black tea-but about twice the amount of leaves is used to make a cup of black tea so the antioxidants per cup of black is still quite high.

Tea comes in several forms, including white, oolong, and herbal, but the most common teas are black and green. Many wonder which tea provides the biggest health benefit, but all teas contain antioxidants and will be of benefit. Oolong tea specifically has approximately half the caffeine and double the amounts of tea polyphenols in comparison to other teas, like green tea, because of its fermentation process.

And there?s more! The tea polyphenols in Wulong tea have shown to be effective in providing various other health benefits including: Lowering plasma glucose in type 2 diabetic patients Reducing LDL cholesterol Lowering blood pressure Reducing bacteria that causes gum disease Clearing skin Reducing hair loss.

Polyphenols are at uniquely high levels in red wine (around 6 times higher than in white wine) and are highly concentrated in the red grape skins. Thus, it may be most beneficial to eat grape skins and pass up the meat of the grape, which has no resveratrol but a lot of extra fructose.

So in conclusion, polyphenols are natural plant chemicals that have powerful antioxidant properties and numerous potential health benefits. Polyphenols are a group of chemical substances found in plants, characterized by the presence of more than one phenol unit or building block per molecule. Studies show that polyphenols are effective in countering the harmful effects of free radicals ? powerful molecules that can build up in your body when left unchecked, compromising your well being. Prevention is the best form of cure. Maybe check out some products you can consume on a regular daily basis.

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