Green tea, is it for me?

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Green Tea: Is It For Me?

Green tea is widely regarded as a tonic that can prevent heart disease and cancer. But what makes green tea so special? And how much do you need to drink in order to see any benefits?

Green tea contains a class of antioxidants known as polyphenols, which are believed to be anti-cancer and anti-heart disease agents. Extensive (though inconclusive) research has shown that polyphenols work by tracking down and eliminating free radicals, the unstable molecules that can cause widespread cell damage.

All teas contain some polyphenols, but green tea has them in a higher concentration. In addition, the polyphenols in green tea contain an ingredient called Epigallocatechin (EGCG) that has been shown to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells undamaged. Some researchers believe EGCG to be a hundred times more effective at preventing cancer than vitamin C.

So what does this mean for the average tea drinker? Scientists believe that in order to see the anti-cancer effects of EGCG and green tea polyphenols, one would have to drink somewhere between three and 10 cups of green tea per day. Unfortunately, the benefits of drinking this much tea would be offset by the amount of caffeine consumed.

Still, some antioxidants are better than none, and if consumed in combination with other antioxidant-rich foods -- such as broccoli, cabbage, squash, spinach, tomatoes, and peaches -- green tea is a healthy addition to your diet. Try drinking one to two cups of green tea each day, but remember to skip the sugar.

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