GREEN TEA - great info!

[ryancostill]

many here occasionally supplement green tea in your diets right? i was just wondering whether you actually brew a tea or just take green tea capsules.

I quite like the idea of drinking green tea but i was just online supplement shopping and when i searched for gren tea all i found was green tea extract capsules. Can you buy it in tea-bag form like you can regular tea? would i be able to get some in a standard health food store?

[The Champion]

i drink green tea. I've never taken green tea extract though. You can find green tea (the tea bags) at most grocery stores and health food stores.

[LegendaryWatcher]

When I drink green tea on a cut I always buy it in tea bag form and drink it. Here in the U.S. you can buy many brands of green teas in tea bag form in the grocery stores, but you can also buy it in capsule form as well. I have taken both and both seem to work pretty well in terms of increased energy and advanced lypolysis.

[BrothaMan325]

always straight brew. great way to make it is sun brew. put it in a clean pitcher, sit it out in the sun( warm day is better) and let is sit for abotu 5 hours. add sugar if you want. tastes great.

[Gibbster]

I've never noticed any good effects from drinking Green Tea.
What do you all consider a serving? 1 or 2 cups?

What I mean is, I don't notice the same effects as drinking a cup of coffee.

[Andrew G.]

[ QUOTE ]
I've never noticed any good effects from drinking Green Tea.
What do you all consider a serving? 1 or 2 cups?

What I mean is, I don't notice the same effects as drinking a cup of coffee.

[/ QUOTE ]

8 oz. of brewed Green Tea has roughly 30 mg. of Caffiene, where as 8 oz. of Coffe has roughly 100 mg of Caffiene. That is why you may not feel the same "boost" as a cup of coffe. It is not even debatable though that Green Tea is very beneficial, while Coffe is not.

If you want more of a "boost", super brew your green tea, like I do quite often. Which I do by putting maybe 2 bags of green tea into 1 cup, and never taking them out, just drinking it while its brewing past the regular alotted time.

[RGKfit]

You can find excellent green tea in bulk also. All you need is a tea brewing "spoon" you can get anywhere. they make them in tons of varieties, even football shape, with a chain on it, etc. This way you can brew whatever amount you like. I personally like the bulk teas.

[dunno]

If you want to try something diff give white tea a go.. some studies have shown it is even healthier then green tea(higher ECGC and photophenyl concentrations)

[sandspawn]

I get my green tea from the supermarket. Great drink pre-workout.

[DukeOfEarl]

the best form of green tea is honey green tea... just make some tea and add honey. Tastes great, but no good on a cut /forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[parman84]

So, I was reading this thread, and I am curious...how is green tea beneficial and how should it be used?

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
So, I was reading this thread, and I am curious...how is green tea beneficial and how should it be used?

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, where does one begin???

First off, all teas are chock full and antioxidants and bioflavonoids. Its one of the best things you can drink. I've drank tea all my life and have at least 3 cups a day (usually 6). I just love tea. I do beleive strongly that this has helped me to stay healthy.

Secondly, teas, easpecially green teas, are known to contain compounds (other than caffeine) that speed up your metabolism. The result is increased fat burning and potentially a bit of a boost in energy at the gym.

Lastly, ever order tea at a restuarant? While everyone's drinking that scourge we know as coffee, you're ordering tea and getting odd looks.

Don't you like to stand out in a crowd?? /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[parman84]

Wow, that is all good stuff. I was hoping that green tea was doing me some good, lol

[PainMan]

Just because I know something about tea (being a self proclaimed connoisseur and all) in case anyone's interested..........


Teas come in 6 basic types: black, green, Oolong, white, flavoured and herbal.

Black Tea: Made from leaves that have been fully oxidized. This process does remove some of the beneficial compounds but many are still left. This is what many people drink of which the most common is Orange Pekoe.

Green Tea: Made from leaves that have not been oxidized. Leaves are whitered or immediately steamed to kill the enzymes then rolled and dried.

Oolong Tea: Made from partly ozidized leaves combining the qualities of both black and green teas. Popular in China, Oolong translates as "Black Dragon".

White Tea: Rarest in the world, white teas are picked at daybreak in 4 provinces in northeast China. They are expensive and hand sorted to provide a mellow tatse.

Flavoured Tea: These are real teas blended with fruits or herbs. "Tisanes" such as chamomile, pepermint or nettle are misnamed and do not contain one tea leaf.

Herbal/Tisane Teas: Do not contain any tea leafs and are technically not really teas.

Tune in next week when I will discuss the champagne of black teas, Darjeeling! /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[ryancostill]

[ QUOTE ]
When I drink green tea on a cut I always buy it in tea bag form and drink it. Here in the U.S. you can buy many brands of green teas in tea bag form in the grocery stores, but you can also buy it in capsule form as well. I have taken both and both seem to work pretty well in terms of increased energy and advanced lypolysis.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good to hear you seem to have had good experiences with Green Tea, LW. thanks for everyone's feedback and thanks for the additional information Painman. i'll have to make a trip to the health food store later in the week and pick up some tea bags!

[RGKfit]

[ QUOTE ]
Wow, that is all good stuff. I was hoping that green tea was doing me some good, lol

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, as another green tea connisieour who drinks it for more than bodybuilding(which it really does little for by the way despite big business trying to capitalize on it), it is an excellent source of polyphenols, strong antioxidants with many cardiovascular benefits(heart health). Green tea has even been linked in studies have been shown to kill some cancer cells. Pretty powerful stuff in a tiny bag.

[MansonOzz]

I just picked up a box of 72 bags for $2.50 at the grocery store last night - compare that to $5 for a week's worth of coffee and it's more the reason to choose this instead /forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[parman84]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Wow, that is all good stuff. I was hoping that green tea was doing me some good, lol

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, as another green tea connisieour who drinks it for more than bodybuilding(which it really does little for by the way despite big business trying to capitalize on it), it is an excellent source of polyphenols, strong antioxidants with many cardiovascular benefits(heart health). Green tea has even been linked in studies have been shown to kill some cancer cells. Pretty powerful stuff in a tiny bag.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow. Go Green Tea!! /forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Adam Knowlden]

[ QUOTE ]
If you want more of a "boost", super brew your green tea, like I do quite often. Which I do by putting maybe 2 bags of green tea into 1 cup, and never taking them out, just drinking it while its brewing past the regular alotted time.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lol that's a boost alright! Good trick!

And great advice LW!

This is the new Green tea thread. I've seen tons of questions pop up on this topic lately.

If anyone has any facts or questions about green tea present them here!

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Good to hear you seem to have had good experiences with Green Tea, LW. thanks for everyone's feedback and thanks for the additional information Painman. i'll have to make a trip to the health food store later in the week and pick up some tea bags!

[/ QUOTE ]

Living in Ireland you don't drink Irish Breakfast black tea?? /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I mostly drink black tea, specifically, English Breakfast which is known to stimulate your metabolism. But, turning to green teas, here's some more factoids.......


<font color="green">Green Tea Types </font>

Gunpowder: most popular of the green teas, each leaf is rolled into a compact pellet and provides a fragrant, sweet tea.

Dragon Well: grown in China, is considered to be one of the finest green teas around

Jasmine: a blend of Jasmine flowers and green tea leaves makes for a fragrant cup. There are various types including one type that is rolled into silvery balls tied with a string. When placed in hot water they open up to look like flower blossoms! Yin Hao is China's best and most expensive Jasmine tea.

Sencha: the most popular in Japan and is usually deep-steamed to reduce the bitterness.

Genmaicha: made by mixing rosted rice with Sencha tea making for an interesting visual display and a very rich flavor.

Gyokuro: the most highly valued Japanese tea.

Mattcha: powdered version of green tea used in the famous Japanese tea ceremonies.

White tea: already discussed, white tea is essentially a green tea variety.

Tea is the world's most popular prepared drink. It was discovered by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2737 B.C., when a tea leaf accidentally fell into the bowl of hot water he was drinking. The best known tea growing areas are Kenya, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon - thus the name Ceylon tea), India and China. Regardless of the type, tea leaves come from the camellia sinensis bush which can grow to 90 feet in the wild. There was a time when monkeys were trained to climb the bushes, pick the leaves and drop them to the ground. That was before they were trimmed to 3 feet in plantations for easy picking by human labour.



From the Journal of Nutrition (october, 2003)

<font color="red">
Consuming 30-32oz of tea daily over a period of time - the fluid equivalent of 2.5 cans of soda - may reduce Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels by more than 10 percent and decrease the risk of DNA damage caused by smoking, according to new research published as a supplement in the October 2003 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. These and other studies, including government research utilizing emerging biomarkers of cardiovascular health, are included in the supplement titled Proceedings of the Third International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health: Role of Flavonoids in the Diet and provide further evidence of tea's disease-fighting potential in the areas of cardiovascular health and cancer.</font>


Try an Oolong tea if you get the chance. Formosa Oolong is quite nice and you'll get most of the benefits of a green tea with the flavour of black tea.

[ryancostill]

PainMan, yeah we're practically raised on black tea here. but the traditionally convention is to add milk and plenty of sugar so it kind of defeats the purpose...

But i always presumed green tea to be far superior than balck tea from an anti-oxidant perspective as well as a promoter of lipolysis.

Regardless, most of the black tea sold over here is highly mass produced so I doubt it purity. Either way i'll pop to the health food/organic store later this week to see the options.

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
PainMan, yeah we're practically raised on black tea here. but the traditionally convention is to add milk and plenty of sugar so it kind of defeats the purpose...

But i always presumed green tea to be far superior than balck tea from an anti-oxidant perspective as well as a promoter of lipolysis.

Regardless, most of the black tea sold over here is highly mass produced so I doubt it purity. Either way i'll pop to the health food/organic store later this week to see the options.

[/ QUOTE ]

I drink my tea with milk and sugar. Not much of either but a bit. The benefits of the tea are still there regardless of what you add to it. Green tea will deliver more bioflavonoids but black tea gives you quite a lot as well. The only difference betwen the two is that black tea is fully oxidized (fermented). If you're drinking one cup a day, green tea will give you more of what you want. If you're like me and drinking a lot of tea every day, black is ok too (or try Oolong as I suggested). Keep in mind that most of the research on the benefits of tea are being done on black tea given its the most popular in western society. The benefits of black tea are numerous and well documented.

Its pretty hard to screw up tea making. Mass produced tea isn't much different than hand picked tea. The use of herbacides and pestacides might be an issue though.

[PainMan]

One more thing. Anyone who wants to know mor about tea can simply go here:

http://www.tea.ca/

That's where I got all my infotmation from - researching this site and learning about my favorite beverage (and some of you just thought I was tea smart /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif ).

This specific link has numerous reserach articles:

http://www.tea.ca/hp_Library.asp?section=healthpro

[cally]

Green Tea and Thermogenesis
Green Tea and Thermogenesis
The color (green, oolong, and black) of tea (Camellia sinensis) is determined by how it is manufactured. Green tea is prepared in such a way as to avoid the oxidation of the polyphenols; oolong tea is partially oxidized; black tea is largely oxidized.

The composition of tea is determined by soil conditions, the season the leaves are harvested, and the method used to process the tea. As a rough guide, green tea contains 2.9 to 4.2% caffeine, 0.02 to 0.04% theophylline, and 0.15 to 0.2% theobromine. Green tea also contains theanine, an important water-soluble amino acid that is converted to catechin by sun light. The greatest theanine content is found in the highest grade green tea, Gyokuro, which is cultivated without direct sunlight.

Green tea also contains a number of polyphenolic compounds. The catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most abundant (&amp;gt; 50% of total tea catechins). It is also believed to be the most pharmacologically active. The other main catechins are epicatechin (EC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin (EGC). You can view the chemical structures in a new window.

In addition to stimulating thermogenesis, green tea has a variety of well documented health benefits. Green tea is an antioxidant that has a strong anticancer effects in skin, stomach, colon, etc. Green tea protects against free radicals and it is a logical addition to any supplement program designed to prevent heart disease. In fact, green tea has so many health benefits that this post will have to focus on its ability to stimulate thermogenesis.

Quick facts: The Dulloo et al. studies (1, 2) used an alcohol extract of green tea that is sold in capsule form under the name EXOLISE (Arkopharma Laboratories, Nice, France). This extract is standardized to 24.7% catechins (70% as EGCG), and 8.35% caffeine.
How Powerful Is Green Tea Thermogenesis?
Scientists have found that green tea stimulates thermogenesis and this effect cannot be completely attributed to its caffeine content because the thermogenic effect of green tea is greater than an equivalent amount of caffeine. An in vitro study by Dulloo et al (2) found that a catechin that is abundant in green tea, EGCG, increased the respiration rate of brown fat (stimulated thermogenesis). Dulloo et al. have also done an in vivo study (1) that involved &amp;quot;10 healthy men&amp;quot; who received (with each meal during a 24 hour test period) on three separate occasions:

Test 1: 50 mg caffeine and 90 mg EGCG (total catechins: 125 mg).

Test 2: 50 mg caffeine.

Test 3: Placebo.

There was a &amp;quot;5-10 day interval between successive 24-h trials for each subject.&amp;quot; The conditions were controlled and the study was double blind. However, given the fact that obese people respond differently to sympathetic stimuli, it is unfortunate that these tests were performed on &amp;quot;healthy&amp;quot; subjects. The study accepted people described as ranging from &amp;quot;lean to mildly obese&amp;quot; (8-30% bodyfat). But the responses varied widely nonetheless: 24 hour energy expenditure increased &amp;quot;in 6 of the 10 subjects after treatment with the green tea extract, ranging from 266 to 836 kJ&amp;quot; They did not find a correlation between the magnitude of thermogenic response and the degree of fatness of the subjects. That's not too surprising given the number of subjects and the selection criteria. It's a shame that they didn't include more subjects and some fat people in these tests.


Energy Expenditure
Diurnal and 24 hour energy expenditure was increased significantly during treatment with green tea extract. Nocturnal energy expenditure increased, but not significantly. Here's the numbers:

Diurnal: Green tea 4.5% &amp;gt; placebo; Green tea 3.2% &amp;gt; caffeine.
24 hour: Green tea 3.5 % &amp;gt; placebo; Green tea 2.8 % &amp;gt; caffeine.
Perhaps even more interesting is the fact that the green tea extract produced lower respiratory quotients (helped normalize FAT burning):

&amp;quot;Significant differences across treatments were found during the diurnal, nocturnal, and 24-h periods . . . The contribution of fat oxidation [fat burning] to 24-h EE [energy expenditure] during treatment with the green tea extract (41.5%) was significantly higher (p&amp;lt;0.001) than during placebo [31.6%] treatment&amp;quot; (1).

In addition, urinary nitrogen losses showed no significant differences across treatments during all three periods. Clearly, the increased energy expenditure reflects increased FAT burning. This is worth exploring in greater detail.

Written
Dec 2000
Last Update
Dec 2000
Respiratory Quotient
Now we are getting to the interesting stuff. The lower the respiratory quotient, the more fat you are burning. You will often see this referred to as substrate utilization, substrate oxidation (burning), or fuel mix. It is very encouraging that such a small dose of green tea had such an impressive effect on the RQ: The contribution of fat oxidation [fat burning] to 24-h EE [energy expenditure] during treatment with the green tea extract (41.5%) was significantly higher (p&amp;lt;0.001) than during placebo [31.6%] treatment&amp;quot; [emphasis added] (1). Outside of medical journals, fat oxidation and the respiratory quotient are usually only discussed in relation to aerobic exercise (I'm sure you have been told to do low intensity aerobics to burn more fat). However, as usual, the interesting stuff (the stuff that proves obesity is a REAL disease) is ignored.

You see, obese people tend to burn more carbohydrate (glucose) and less fat (fatty acids) than normal people. The Astrup/Toubro team of obesity researchers have studied this defect (4-NA, 5-NA). In fact, a growing number of scientists believe that this part of the thermogenic defect may be more important than energy expenditure. Why do we burn relatively less fat? This is caused be a number of genetic (22) and biochemical defects including insufficient release of noradrenaline and adrenaline. Arne Astrup et al. (5-NA, 22) have written about this genetic defect:

&amp;quot;Direct evidence for a genetic influence on RQ [respiratory quotient] was delivered by Deriaz et al., who studied the relationship between DNA variation at the genes coding for the Na,K-ATPase peptides, RQ, and body fat. Postabsorptive [after a meal] RQ was found to be associated with the alpha2-gene and linked with the beta-gene of the Na,K-ATPase, which suggests that these, or neighboring genes, influence RQ. Twin studies also support the heritability of RQ.&amp;quot; [emphasis added] (5-NA).

Based on this study by Dulloo et al. (1), it looks like green tea can help correct this respiratory quotient defect. Of course, ephedrine/caffeine normalizes the release of noradrenaline and adrenaline and corrects the respiratory quotient:

&amp;quot;The respiratory quotient (RQ) indicate that relatively more lipid [fat] was oxidized during chronic ephedrine treatment than in the control study. This change was observed in the fasting state as well as after glucose administration. Certain effects of ephedrine seems to be appropriate to a thermogenic drug for the treatment of obesity: A single dose of ephedrine stimulates thermogenesis, an effect that is enhanced during chronic treatment; Chronic treatment elevates the metabolic rate; and the substrate utilization is changed in favor of lipid [fat] oxidation&amp;quot; [emphasis added] (6).

Is it not curious that doctors tell obese people to eat an abnormally small amount of fat rather than tell us to take thermogenic supplements to correct this genetic fat burning defect? I mean, imagine if your car was having engine trouble and your mechanic refused to fix it and told you to &amp;quot;just drive less.&amp;quot; Of course, you would immediately realize that this was a bogus 'solution' and go to another mechanic. But what if they ALL ignored the problem and told you to change your driving habits? Eventually you would realize that you need to read some repair manuals so you can fix the car yourself, right? Fortunately, there is no FDA-type organization trying to pass laws against nonprofessional car repairs.

Obese people who do not want to be mislead by prejudice, ignorance, or political/financial agendas should keep this fuel mix defect in mind when they hear &amp;quot;experts&amp;quot; questioning the importance of thermogenesis. Typically, these &amp;quot;experts&amp;quot; will rattle off a bunch of energy expenditure numbers and tell you that thermogenesis is not very important and thermogenic supplements don't do much. If you want to have some fun, remind the &amp;quot;expert&amp;quot; that there is direct evidence for a genetic influence on respiratory quotient and one of the ways that thermogenic supplements help obese people is by normalizing their defective substrate utilization. Ask the &amp;quot;expert&amp;quot; if he is aware of the fact that a growing number of obesity scientists believe correcting this genetic fat burning defect is more important than those archaic energy expenditure numbers. After all, if you don't BURN fat, you BECOME fat.


Noradrenaline Storage &amp;amp; Release
In order to understand how green tea works we need to take a quick look at noradrenaline storage, release, and metabolism. Noradrenaline is synthesized in the sympathetic nerves and stored in storage vesicles. When sufficiently stimulated, the vesicles migrate to the end of the nerve and release noradrenaline into the synaptic cleft. As you probably already know, the noradrenaline binds to the adrenergic receptors and stimulates thermogenesis. Next in the chain of events is noradrenaline metabolism, which involves two uptake mechanisms.

General references for Noradrenaline Storage, Release, and Metabolism: 3-BK, 20-BK, 21-BK.

Advanced readers should check out &amp;quot;Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology&amp;quot; (3-BK) -- it's an excellent book!






Noradrenaline Metabolism
Uptake 1: After stimulating the adrenergic receptors, 85-90% of the noradrenaline is taken back up into the sympathetic nerves (uptake 1) and stored in vesicles or metabolized by monoamine oxidase (specifically, MAO-A) in the mitochondria. The importance of uptake 1 (neuronal uptake) is reflected by the warnings against combining sympathomimetics (ephedrine, phentermine, etc.) that increase noradrenaline release with MAO inhibitors -- the risk of overstimulation would be much too high.

Uptake 2: Some of the noradrenaline diffuses away from the receptors and is transported by extra-neuronal cells (uptake 2) and metabolized by catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT). Green tea increases noradrenaline in the synaptic cleft and safely increases thermogenesis because of its ability to prevent COMT from metabolizing noradrenaline. This is safe because COMT plays a much smaller role in catecholamine dynamics than MAO.

COMT exists in both a soluble and a membrane-bound form. The soluble form of COMT is found in organs and it does not have as high of an affinity for catecholamines as the membrane-bound form.

Quick facts: Uptake 1 of noradrenaline is blocked by cocaine, amphetamines, and tricyclic antidepressants. Progesterone increases MAO and estrogen inhibits MAO.


* There is more information on how caffeine enhances thermogenesis in the following posts: How ECA Works has illustrations and there is referenced information in The &amp;quot;A&amp;quot; in ECA and my Thermogenic FAQ.
How Green Tea Stimulates Thermogenesis
The thermogenic effect of green tea involves two mechanisms: I.) green tea contains a catechin, EGCG, which inhibits catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that degrades noradrenaline II.) the caffeine in green tea increases intracellular cAMP accumulation by inhibiting the enzyme, phosphodiesterase. See &amp;quot;How ECA Works&amp;quot; for more info on the importance of caffeine.

I have already discussed the effects of caffeine in several posts, so I will focus on COMT. Interestingly, the medical literature showing that green tea inhibits COMT dates back over two decades (7-NA). By inhibiting COMT, green tea prolongs the life of noradrenaline in the synaptic cleft. (This lets noradrenaline stimulate the receptors for a longer time before it is metabolized). The in vivo (human) study by Dulloo et al. (1) found that, compared to placebo and caffeine, green tea significantly increased total 24 hour urinary noradrenaline excretion. The researchers commented on the significance of this:

&amp;quot;This observation is consistent with the inhibiting effect of green tea on COMT, the consequential reduction in norepinephrine [noradrenaline] degradation, and hence, the spillover of norepinephrine into circulation, thereby accounting for the higher urinary excretion of norepinephrine. Such effects, resulting in a prolonged life of norepinephrine in the sympathetic synaptic cleft, could explain the observed effects of the extract in stimulating thermogenesis and fat oxidation&amp;quot; (1).

Written
Dec 2000
Last Update
Dec 2000
Discussion
Although this research is exciting, the fact remains that green tea does NOT normalize the release of noradrenaline (the primary obesity-causing defect) -- it prolongs the action of whatever amount of noradrenaline that your body is able to release. For this reason, Dulloo concluded that the thermogenic effect of green tea is &amp;quot;likely to be highly dependent upon the release of endogenous NA [noradrenaline].&amp;quot; Clearly, green tea (by itself) is going to be a &amp;quot;your mileage may vary&amp;quot; situation. However, tissue studies performed by Dulloo et al. showed that green tea produced a significant synergistic effect when it was combined with ephedrine or ephedrine/caffeine (2).

Since green tea prolongs the action of noradrenaline, you would think that it would have a stimulatory effect. However, Dulloo et al. noted that green tea caused no significant differences in heart rate. The most logical explanation for this is that the stimulatory effect of increased noradrenaline action is being countered by other mechanisms. For example, green tea contains the amino acid, theanine, which has been found to lower blood pressure (. Green tea also has a vasorelaxing effect (9, 10). One recent study found that regular tea consumption had no significant effect on blood pressure (11), but it is difficult to achieve a therapeutic dose without taking concentrated supplements. Further complicating the picture, however, is the fact that they also found that green and black tea caused a short term increase in blood pressure (11).

I hope there will be further research aimed at determining the optimal dosage for the ephedrine/caffeine/green tea combination. It seems likely that the addition of green tea will make it possible to normalize sympathetic tone with a less stimulating stack. In addition, green tea (without ephedrine/caffeine) may permit people with hypertension to obtain a mild increase in fat oxidation and thermogenesis. Clearly, additional research is needed to expand our understanding of the effect of green tea on blood pressure. Hypertensives that want to take green tea should definitely work with a doctor and monitor their blood pressure.

Green tea is an extremely logical supplement for obese people. In addition to its weight loss effect, green tea protects against a number of conditions that are VERY common among the obese:

Green tea has been found to reduce the risk of having a stroke (12, 13).
Green tea has anti-cancer and anti-tumor effects (14, 15).
Green tea can improve glucose/insulin levels and your blood lipid profile (16, 17, 18-NA, 19).
However, it is difficult to obtain all of these health benefits if one does not take green tea supplements -- without supplements, you would have to drink at least ten cups of green tea every day!


Green Tea Products
Green tea has so many health benefits that it's impossible to pick a single best product. The only logical way to evaluate green tea products is to separate them according to their suitability for specific purposes such as weight loss, blood pressure reduction, etc. If you are interested in green tea for cancer prevention and health enhancement, I would shoot for at least 10 cups of tea per day. That's a lot of tea! Perhaps a combination of supplements and drinking tea is the easiest way to consume enough tea.

For the price comparison, whenever possible, I calculated the price per 100 mg of polyphenols and the price per 100 mg of EGCG. These calculations make it easy to compare products with different size capsules and extracts that are standardized to different potencies. I was surprised to find that, based on polyphenol and EGCG content, there were huge price differences between products. For example, Natrol Green Tea Extract is only 3.6 cents per 100 mg of polyphenols; Natures Way Green Tea Extract is a whopping 28.21 cents.

Green Tea For Weight Loss
Research suggests that EGCG is the most important catechin for weight loss. Although most products specify the amount of polyphenols, only a few list the EGCG content. For weight loss purposes, the most powerful Green Tea extract is the standardized Green Tea Extract by NSI -- it contains a whopping 220 mg of EGCG per capsule. The second most powerful green tea extract is the Life Extension Super Green Tea Extract, which contains 122 mg of EGCG per capsule.

Apparently, all of these green tea extracts that are standardized to extremely high levels of EGCG contain very little caffeine. This is good if you are adding green tea to win ECA stack; however, if you are interested in using one of these high EGCG green tea supplements by itself, you'll get much better results if you take some caffeine with it.

Dulloo AG, Duret C, Rohrer D, Girardier L, Mensi N, Fathi M, Chantre P, Vandermander J &amp;quot;Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans&amp;quot; Am J Clin Nutr 1999, Vol 70 (6), Pg 1040-5. PMID: 0010584049.

2.) Dulloo AG, Seydoux J, Girardier L, Chantre P, Vandermander J &amp;quot;Green tea and thermogenesis: interactions between catechin-polyphenols, caffeine and sympathetic activity&amp;quot; Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2000, Vol 24 (2), Pg 252-8. PMID: 0010702779.

3-BK.) Feldman, RS; Meyer, JS, and Quenzer, LF &amp;quot;Principles of Neuropsychopharmacology&amp;quot; Sinauer Associates, Inc. 1997.

4-NA.) Astrup A, Buemann B, Toubro S, Raben A &amp;quot;Defects in substrate oxidation involved in the predisposition to obesity&amp;quot; Proc Nutr Soc 1996, Vol 55 (3), Pg 817-28. PMID: 0009004326.

5-NA.) Astrup A, Raben A, Buemann B, Toubro S &amp;quot;Fat metabolism in the predisposition to obesity&amp;quot; Ann N Y Acad Sci 1997, Vol 827 Pg 417-30. PMID: 0009329772.

6.) Astrup A, Madsen J, Holst JJ, Christensen NJ &amp;quot;The effect of chronic ephedrine treatment on substrate utilization, the sympathoadrenal activity, and energy expenditure during glucose-induced thermogenesis in man&amp;quot; Metabolism 1986, Vol 35 (3), Pg 260-5. PMID: 0003512957.

7-NA.) Borchardt RT and Huber JA &amp;quot;Catechol O-methyltransferase. 5. Structure-activity relationships for inhibition by flavonoids&amp;quot; J Med Chem 1975, Vol 18 (1), Pg 120-2. PMID: 0001109569.

8.) Yokogoshi H, Kato Y, Sagesaka YM, Takihara-Matsuura T, Kakuda T, Takeuchi N &amp;quot;Reduction effect of theanine on blood pressure and brain 5- hydroxyindoles in spontaneously hypertensive rats&amp;quot; Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1995, Vol 59 (4), Pg 615-8. PMID: 0007539642.

9.) Huang Y, Zhang A, Lau CW, Chen ZY &amp;quot;Vasorelaxant effects of purified green tea epicatechin derivatives in rat mesenteric artery&amp;quot; Life Sci 1998, Vol 63 (4), Pg 275-83. PMID: 0009698036.

10.) Huang Y, Chan NW, Lau CW, Yao XQ, Chan FL, Chen ZY &amp;quot;Involvement of endothelium/nitric oxide in vasorelaxation induced by purified green tea (-)epicatechin&amp;quot; Biochim Biophys Acta 1999, Vol 1427 (2), Pg 322-8. PMID: 0010216249.

11.) Hodgson JM, Puddey IB, Burke V, Beilin LJ, Jordan N &amp;quot;Effects on blood pressure of drinking green and black tea&amp;quot; J Hypertens 1999, Vol 17 (4), Pg 457-63. PMID: 0010404946.

12.) Sato Y, Nakatsuka H, Watanabe T, Hisamichi S, Shimizu H, Fujisaku S, Ichinowatari Y, Ida Y, Suda S, Kato K and others. &amp;quot;Possible contribution of green tea drinking habits to the prevention of stroke&amp;quot; Tohoku J Exp Med 1989, Vol 157 (4), Pg 337-43. PMID: 0002741170.

13.) Uchida S, Ozaki M, Akashi T, Yama****a K, Niwa M, Taniyama K &amp;quot;Effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (green tea tannin) on the life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats&amp;quot; Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol Suppl 1995, Vol 1 Pg S302-3. PMID: 0009072402.

14.) Kono S, Ikeda M, Tokudome S, Kuratsune M &amp;quot;A case-control study of gastric cancer and diet in northern Kyushu, Japan&amp;quot; Jpn J Cancer Res 1988, Vol 79 (10), Pg 1067-74. PMID: 0003143695.

15.) Ruch RJ, Cheng SJ, Klaunig JE &amp;quot;Prevention of cytotoxicity and inhibition of intercellular communication by antioxidant catechins isolated from Chinese green tea&amp;quot; Carcinogenesis 1989, Vol 10 (6), Pg 1003-8. PMID: 0002470525.

16.) Karawya MS, Abdel Wahab SM, El-Olemy MM, Farrag NM &amp;quot;Diphenylamine, an antihyperglycemic agent from onion and tea&amp;quot; J Nat Prod 1984, Vol 47 (5), Pg 775-80. PMID: 0006512531.

17.) Muramatsu K, Fukuyo M, Hara Y &amp;quot;Effect of green tea catechins on plasma cholesterol level in cholesterol-fed rats&amp;quot; J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 1986, Vol 32 (6), Pg 613-22. PMID: 0003585557.

18-NA.) Chisaka T, Matsuda H, Kubomura Y, Mochizuki M, Yamahara J, Fujimura H &amp;quot;The effect of crude drugs on experimental hypercholesteremia: mode of action of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in tea leaves&amp;quot; Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1988, Vol 36 (1), Pg 227-33. PMID: 0003378286.

19.) Yokozawa T and Dong E &amp;quot;Influence of green tea and its three major components upon low-density lipoprotein oxidation&amp;quot; Exp Toxicol Pathol 1997, Vol 49 (5), Pg 329-35. PMID: 0009455677.

20-BK.) Greenspan, FS and Gardner, DG &amp;quot;Basic &amp;amp; Clinical Endocrinology&amp;quot; Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill 2000.

21-BK.) Munson, PL; Mueller, RA, and Breese, GR &amp;quot;Principles of Pharmacology. Basic Concepts &amp;amp; Clinical Applications.&amp;quot; Chapman &amp;amp; Hall 1996.

22.) Deriaz O, Dionne F, Perusse L, Tremblay A, Vohl MC, Cote G, Bouchard C &amp;quot;DNA variation in the genes of the Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase and its relation with resting metabolic rate, respiratory quotient, and body fat&amp;quot; J Clin Invest 1994, Vol 93 (2), Pg 838-43. PMID: 0007509349.

November 30, 2001

Mechanism found for green tea in cancer fight

In research conducted at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center &amp;amp; Research Institute in Tampa Florida, a mechanism of green tea polyphenols' ability to cause the death of cancer cells was elucidated. By testing green tea polyphenols effect on prostate cancer cell lines, varying concentrations of the polyphenols were found to diminish a protein called Bcl-XL which protects cancer cells from apoptosis, which is programmed cell death.

Green tea has been shown to prevent several types of cancer in animal models. Human populations who consume green tea have lower rates of stomach, liver, pancreatic, breast, lung, esophageal and skin cancers.

Aslamuzzaman Kazi, PhD, research fellow in the Drug Discovery Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, described the finding: &amp;quot;The higher the concentration, the better the response - meaning more apoptosis, or programming that tells cells to die -- apparently occurring as a result of a greater decrease in Bcl-XL, a protein that protects cancer cells from apoptosis. At all concentrations, response was apparent within three hours.&amp;quot;

Pin Dou, PhD, associate professor of oncology, biochemistry, and molecular biology at Moffitt further explained, &amp;quot;Because Bcl-XL is overexpressed in many cancers, it could be a key target in all these cancers and explain why green tea polyphenols (are) able to prevent human cancers in mouse models . . . Data from our laboratory suggests that at least one enzyme may modify Bcl-XL and that it is the actual target of tea. We also want to see if that target is present in all human cancers or just some of them.&amp;quot;


Green tea has been shown to lower &amp;quot;bad&amp;quot; LDL cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels. Further, green tea's potent antioxidant effects inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the arteries, which plays a major contributory role in the formation of atherosclerosis. &amp;quot;There is considerable epidemiological evidence that tea drinking lowers the risk of heart disease&amp;quot; (FEBS Lett., Aug. 1998, 433(1-2):44-46).

The cholesterol-lowering (hypocholesterolemic) effects of green tea (as well as black tea) have been confirmed by both animal and human epidemiological studies. High consumption of green tea by humans, especially more than 10 cups a day, was found to be associated with higher HDLs and lower LDL and VLDL cholesterol, as well as with various biomarkers indicating better liver health. Lower levels of lipid peroxides in the liver are one well-confirmed benefit of green-tea supplementation found in study after study.

A Japanese study relates, &amp;quot;Green tea catechin acts to limit the excessive rise in blood cholesterol&amp;quot; based on a series of studies reported in 1996 (Journal Nutritional Science Vitaminol., 32:613).

Additionally, some very exciting results were found when rats were fed 2.5% green tea leaves in their diet. The experimental group showed a drop in total cholesterol, low-density cholesterol, and triglycerides. The body weight of green tea-fed rats was 10 to 18% lower than that of rats not consuming green tea. In addition, the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and of anticarcinogenic phase-II enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), were significantly higher in the green tea group, as was the glutathione level in the liver. There was no liver or kidney toxicity. Thus, the study demonstrated combined cardiovascular and anticancer effects of green tea.

The relation between green tea consumption and serum lipid concentrations were examined using cross-sectional data on 1306 males in Japan. Results indicated that total cholesterol levels were found to be inversely related to the consumption of green tea. &amp;quot;Adjusted mean concentrations of total cholesterol were significantly lower in men drinking nine cups or more a day than in those consuming zero to two cups a day&amp;quot; (Prev. Med. July 1992, 21(4):526-31). No wonder the Japanese people have the longest life span. Most Japanese sip tea all day long.

Green tea also has been shown to elevate levels of HDL, the good cholesterol that helps remove atherosclerotic plaque from arterial walls. Green tea is a natural ACE inhibitor. This is an extra benefit for those with high cholesterol and blood pressure, as published studies show lowered blood pressure in animals and humans given green tea extracts. We recommend one capsule (350 mg) of green tea 95% extract daily, or drinking one to ten cups of green or black tea a day.

Also maybe help burn cals...

A study has found: &amp;quot;Subjects spent 24 hours in a respiratory chamber designed to measure the rate calories were burned and energy expenditure. Those receiving the green tea experienced what researchers consider a significant increase in both tests. Tea extract subjects burned 4 percent more calories, and overall energy expenditure rose 4.5 percent.&amp;quot;

BELTSVILLE, Md., Oct 10, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Common tea can be an effective weapon in the fight against diabetes because it boosts insulin activity in the body by more than 15-fold, scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday.

Insulin problems lie at the root of the potentially fatal illness diabetes, so researchers hope tea-based treatments will help treat or prevent the disease, which affects 17 million Americans. Not only that, this insulin-boosting phenomenon may explain why tea can help fight heart disease and high blood pressure as well.

&amp;quot;This is just one of the many well-established benefits that tea may have,&amp;quot; researcher Richard Anderson, a biochemist at the USDA's Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland, told United Press International.

Tea has a long history as a folk remedy for diabetes in China, the West Indies and central Africa. Over the past 20 years scientists also have uncovered potential benefits from tea against cancer, high blood pressure and infection.

&amp;quot;Tea wasn't the only factor we looked at, but it was the best,&amp;quot; Anderson said.

Anderson and his colleague Marilyn Polansky analyzed a host of herbs, spices and plants for any beneficial effect involving insulin, the hormone the body needs to convert sugar into energy. They took fat cells from rats and grew them in test tubes because fat cells are highly sensitive to insulin, Anderson explained. Then, they gave the cells mildly radioactive sugar, insulin, and various tea extracts. The radioactive sugar is easy to track and the more the extracts aided insulin activity, the more sugar the cells would convert.

The scientists found black, green and oolong teas boosted insulin activity the most. This insulin-augmenting effect was seen with both caffeinated and non-caffeinated teas, but not with herbal teas, which do not use leaves from tea bushes.

They also identified tea's most insulin-enhancing chemical, called epigallocatechin gallate. Adding whole or skim milk, nondairy creamers or soy milk appears to soak up tea's insulin-augmenting compounds and inhibit the insulin boost, although these milky sponges may release the tea extracts in the stomach, Anderson said. No absorption problem was seen with lemon juice.

&amp;quot;Hopefully people can get better simply by drinking tea,&amp;quot; Anderson said. &amp;quot;These compounds clear from the body quite quickly, some in less than six hours, some less than four. The effects are not going to be that large, so you're going to need to continue drinking tea.&amp;quot;

Anderson said his team also found cinnamon showed similar insulin-enhancing power. He suggests tea and cinnamon affects the cell proteins insulin binds to.

Diabetes is a disease where the body either does not make insulin or does not properly use it when it does produce it. The scientists think tea increases the body's sensitivity to insulin by setting off a chain reaction. As a result, the body attaches chemicals to insulin-binding proteins that enhance their activity.

Tea's insulin-boosting activity also might explain why tea seems to help prevent heart disease and high blood pressure, Anderson said. Medical investigators think high blood sugar damages blood vessels, and increasing insulin activity lowers blood sugar levels.

&amp;quot;This work seems to be truly new and extremely exciting,&amp;quot; biochemist Anne-Marie Roussel at the Universite Joseph Fourier in Grenoble, France, told UPI. &amp;quot;This work is well done, and the data is promising not only to treat diabetes but perhaps also in preventing it.&amp;quot; Roussel and Anderson added more tea studies need to be conducted with patients, not in lab models.

The scientists described their findings in a report published online by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

(Reported by Charles Choi, UPI Science News, in New York)

Copyright: Copyright 2002 by United Press International

By K.L. CAPOZZA, UPI Science News

SAN FRANCISCO, Mar 24, 2003 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Long touted for its health-promoting properties, green tea might be an effective treatment for acne, a study suggests.

Green tea has been shown to fight bacteria, reduce inflammation and decrease hormone activity -- three characteristics that make the ancient tea an excellent candidate for an acne therapy.

&amp;quot;This study showed that 3 percent green tea cream is comparable to 4 percent benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of moderate to severe acne,&amp;quot; said lead author, Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong, with the Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines.

Gan-Wong presented her team's findings at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. Researchers from tested the promising candidate -- in the form of a 3 percent green tea extract cream -- vs. the leading treatment for acne, 4 percent benzoyl peroxide cream.

A computer randomized a group of 108 subjects into one of two treatment groups. One applied benzoyl peroxide cream twice daily for 12 weeks and the other used green tea extract cream twice daily for the same period. Patients received identical bottles of cream and were unaware of the type of treatment they were assigned.

Subjects were examined and photographed each week by dermatologists, who also were unaware which treatment each patient had been given.

The researchers noted the green tea cream seemed to lighten patients' skin color and improve the overall appearance of their complexion.

Green tea therapy might be appealing to consumers because conventional wisdom holds that natural products are less toxic and have fewer side effects than other drug products, the researchers said.

The preliminary data suggest green tea extract cream causes fewer side effects than benzoyl peroxide treatment. Patients in the green tea group reported fewer cases of dry skin, itching and allergic responses.

The findings, while promising, are not yet substantial enough to change clinical practice, Dr. Azucena Arguelles, a private practice dermatologist from Mountain View, Calif., told United Press International.

&amp;quot;My sense is that for this to be out on the market and adopted by the medical community the results will need to be repeated,&amp;quot; she said.

The finding could be relevant to the millions of Americans who suffer from acne breakouts, a condition which affects nearly 85 percent of the U.S. population and has a detrimental affect on self-esteem and well-being.



Green tea extract and aromatase activity

Green tea extract has been found to inhibit aromatase activity in male rats. (Aromatase is an enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens.) A recent study administered green tea extract catechins to male rats for two, four and eight weeks, starting at age five weeks. It was found that a 5% dose to male rats for two to eight weeks induced goiters and decreased weights of the body, testis and prostate gland. The treatment elevated circulating thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels, and decreased tri-iodothyronine and thyroxine levels (hormones secreted by the thymus gland). Green tea exhibited inhibitory effects on human placental aromatase activity. The endocrinological changes in the body were anti-thyroid effects and aromatase inhibition due to the effects of green tea extract and its components.

FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY, 2002, Vol 40, Iss 7, pp 925-933

Green tea benefits digestive tract

Tea catechins undergo various metabolic changes after they are taken orally, though a large percentage is excreted intact with the feces. Epidemiological studies suggest a protective effect of tea against various human cancers, including colon and rectum. The bactericidal property of tea catechins plays several roles in the digestive tract. In the small intestine, catechins inhibit alpha-amylase activity, and a certain amount is absorbed into the portal vein. Although catechins are bactericidal, they do not affect lactic acid bacteria. Including tea catechins in the diet for several weeks decreases putrefactive products and increases organic acids by lowering pH. These changes were achieved with 100 mg of tea catechins (equivalent to two to five cups of green tea) three times daily with meals for three weeks. When catechin administration ceased, the effects reversed after one week. Catechins should be considered further in colon carcinogenesis studies.

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, 1997, Suppl. 27, pp 52-58


The inhibitory action of tea polyphenols towards the development and growth of bacterial spores was examined. The heat resistance of B stearothermophilus spores (a thermophilic spore-forming bacterium) was reduced by the addition of tea polyphenols. Clostridium thermoaceticum, an anaerobic spore-forming bacterium, also exhibited reduced heat resistance of its spores in the presence of tea polyphenols. Epigallocatechin gallate, the main component of tea polyphenols, showed strong activity against both B stearothermophilus and C thermoaceticum. The heat resistance of these bacterial spores was more rapidly decreased by the addition of tea polyphenols at high temperatures.

JOURNAL OF BIOSCIENCE AND BIOENGINEERING, 2000, Vol 90, Iss 1, pp 81-85

Green tea protects against alcohol-induced liver injury

A study examined the antioxidant polyphenolic extract of green tea against early alcohol-induced liver injury. Rats were fed high-fat liquid diets with or without alcohol and green tea (300 mg kg/day) continuously for four weeks. After four weeks, the blood ALT (sign of liver damage) levels were increased significantly from 35 to 114 (four-fold over placebo group values). However, the inclusion of green tea extract in the diet significantly blunted the increase to 65. The alcohol also caused severe fatty accumulation, mild inflammation and tissue death in the liver. However, with green tea extract, the increase in tissue death caused by alcohol were significantly reduced, while not affecting fat accumulation or inflammation. Alcohol also significantly increased the accumulation of protein adducts (products of lipid peroxidation and an indication of oxidative stress). However, green tea extract blocked this effect almost completely. Green tea extract also blunted the increase of TNFalpha (causes inflammation) protein levels in the liver by alcohol. The results indicate that dietary antioxidants, such as those found in green tea, prevent early alcohol-induced liver injury, most likely by preventing free radical stress.

BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 2002;383(3-4):663-70

Green tea, grape juice, and colon cancer
Full source: BIOLOGICAL &amp;amp; PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN, 2000, Vol 23, Iss 6, pp 695-699

A study reported the effects of tea and juice on the activity of the intestines. Green tea strongly inhibited the E. coli-expressed mouse intestinal phenol sulfotransferases (P-STs) activity in vitro. The active component of green tea, (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), was found to be the most potent inhibitor among the catechins tested. (-)EGCG also inhibited the P-[*%#*%*#] activity of the human colon cancer cells. Among fruit juices examined (apple, grape, grapefruit and orange), grape juice exhibited the most potent inhibitory action on the P-[*%#*%*#] activity of mouse intestines and human colon cancer cells. The inhibitory activity of grape juice was located mainly in the skin and seeds. Flavonols, such as quercetin and kaempferol, inhibited the P-[*%#*%*#] activity at low concentrations. The results suggest the possible inhibition of P-[*%#*%*#] activity in human intestines by green tea or grape juice.

Curr Med Chem Anti-Canc Agents 2002 Jul;2(4):441-63 Related Articles, Links


Green tea catechins as novel antitumor and antiangiogenic compounds.

Demeule M, Michaud-Levesque J, Annabi B, Gingras D, Boivin D, Jodoin J, Lamy S, Bertrand Y, Beliveau R.

Laboratoire de Medecine Moleculaire, UQAM-Hocric;pital Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Canada. oncomol@nobel.si.uqam.ca

The concept of cancer prevention by use of naturally occuring substances that could be included in the diet is under investigation as a practical approach towards reducing cancer incidence, and therefore the mortality and morbidity associated with this disease. Tea, which is the most popularly consumed beverage aside from water, has been particularly associated with decreased risk of various proliferative diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis in humans. Various studies have provided evidence that polyphenols are the strongest biologically active agents in green tea. Green tea polyphenols (GTPs) mainly consist of catechins (3-flavanols), of which (-)-epigallocatechin gallate is the most abundant and the most extensively studied. Recent observations have raised the possibility that green tea catechins, in addition to their antioxidative properties, also affect the molecular mechanisms involved in angiogenesis, extracellular matrix degradation, regulation of cell death and multidrug resistance. This article will review the effects and the biological activities of green tea catechins in relation to these mechanisms, each of which plays a crucial role in the development of cancer in humans. The extraction of polyphenols from green tea, as well as their bioavailability, are also discussed since these two important parameters affect blood and tissue levels of the GTPs and consequently their biological activities. In addition, general perspectives on the application of dietary GTPs as novel antiangiogenic and antitumor compounds are also presented.

PMID: 12678730 [PubMed - in process]

Kidney Int 2003 May;63(5):1785-1790 Related Articles, Links


Effect of green tea extract on cardiac hypertrophy following 5/6 nephrectomy in the rat.

Priyadarshi S, Valentine B, Han C, Fedorova OV, Bagrov AY, Liu J, Periyasamy SM, Kennedy D, Malhotra D, Xie Z, Shapiro JI.

The Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio; The Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science,National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Effect of green tea extract on cardiac hypertrophy following 5/6 nephrectomy in the rat. BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy commonly complicates chronic renal failure. We have observed that at least one pathway of left ventricular hypertrophy appears to involve signaling through reactive oxygen species (ROS). Green tea is a substance that appears to have substantial antioxidant activity, yet is safe and is currently widely used. We, therefore, studied whether green tea supplementation could attenuate the development of left ventricular hypertrophy in an animal model of chronic renal failure. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sham or remnant kidney surgery and given green tea extract (0.1% and 0.25%) or plain drinking water for the next 4 weeks. Heart weight, body weight, and cardiac Na-K-ATPase activity were measured at the end of this period. To further test our hypothesis, we performed studies in cardiac myocytes isolated from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We measured the generation of ROS using the oxidant sensitive dye dichlorofluorescein (DCF) as well as (3H)phenylalanine incorporation following exposure to cardiac glycosides with and without green tea extract. RESULTS: Administration of green tea extract at 0.25% resulted in attenuation of left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension, and preserved cardiac Na-K-ATPase activity in rats subjected to remnant kidney surgery (all P &amp;lt; 0.01). In subsequent studies performed in isolated cardiac myocytes, both ouabain and marinobufagenin (MBG) were both found to increase ROS production and (3H)phenylalanine incorporation at concentrations substantially below their inhibitor concentration (IC) 50 for the sodium pump. Addition of green tea extract prevented increases in ROS production as well as (3H)phenylalanine incorporation in these isolated cardiac myocytes. CONCLUSION: Green tea extract appears to block the development of cardiac hypertrophy in experimental renal failure. Some of this effect may be related to the attenuation of hypertension, but a direct effect on cardiac myocyte ROS production and growth was also identified. Clinical studies of green tea extract in chronic renal failure patients may be warranted.

PMID: 12675854 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Toxicol Lett 2003 Apr 11;140-141:125-32 Related Articles, Links


Defenses against peroxynitrite: selenocompounds and flavonoids.

Klotz LO, Sies H.

Institut fur Physiologische Chemie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universitat Dusseldorf, Postfach 101007, D-40001, Dusseldorf, Germany

The inflammatory mediator peroxynitrite, when generated in excess, may damage cells by oxidizing and nitrating cellular components. Defense against this reactive species may be at the level of prevention of the formation of peroxynitrite, at the level of interception, or at the level of repair of damage caused by peroxynitrite. Several selenocompounds serve this purpose and include selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), selenoprotein P and thioredoxin reductase, or low-molecular-weight substances such as ebselen. Further, flavonoids, such as (-)-epicatechin, which occurs in green tea or cocoa as monomer or in the form of oligomers, can contribute to cellular defense against peroxynitrite.

PMID: 12676458 [PubMed - in process]

Phytother Res 2003 Mar;17(3):206-9 Related Articles, Links


Protective effect of green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and other antioxidants on lipid peroxidation in gerbil brain homogenates.

Lee SR, Im KJ, Suh SI, Jung JG.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Brain Research Institute, Keimyung University, Taegu, South Korea.

The aim of this study was to compare the protective effects of green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and other well-known antioxidants on the lipid peroxidation in gerbil brain homogenates. Oxidative stress was induced by H(2)O(2) (10 mM) or ferrous ammonium sulfate (5 micro M) and lipid peroxidation was studied. Hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions are capable of oxidizing a wide range of substrates and causing biological damage. The reaction, referred to as the Fenton process, is complex and can generate both hydroxyl radicals and higher oxidation states of the iron. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) were used as a marker of lipid peroxidation. EGCG, trolox, lipoic acid, and melatonin reduced H(2)O(2)- or ferrous ion-induced lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependant manner. In reducing the H(2)O(2)-induced lipid peroxidation, IC(50) values of antioxidants were as follows: EGCG (0.66 micro M), trolox (37.08 micro M), lipoic acid (7.88 mM), and melatonin (19.11 mM). In reducing the ferrous ion-induced lipid peroxidation, IC50 values of antioxidants were as follows: EGCG (3.32 micro M), trolox (75.65 micro M), lipoic acid (7.63 mM), and melatonin (15.48 mM). Under the in vitro conditions of this experiment, EGCG was the most potent antioxidant in inhibiting H(2)O(2) or ferrous ion-induced lipid peroxidation in the gerbil brain homogenates. Copyright 2003 John Wiley &amp;amp; Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 12672147 [PubMed - in process]

J Environ Biol 2002 Oct;23(4):373-6 Related Articles, Links


An anticlastogenic in vivo micronucleus assay for tea.

Edwin D, Geetha VR, Vishwanathan H, Usha Rani MV.

Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046, Tamil Nadu, India. deepaedwin@lycos.com

Common use of antimutagens and anticarcinogens in everyday life is an effective measure for preventing human cancer and genetic diseases. Antioxidant properties of tea have vast potential as protective agents against diverse toxic effects. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of aqueous clonal tea extracts (green tea, oolong tea and black tea) in modulating the genotoxic damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CP), a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug and a well-known mutagen and clastogen. All the three tea extracts at 1 and 2% concentration did not increase the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPE) in bone marrow cells of mice when administered individually. The tea extracts decreased the micronuclei (MN) induced by CP. Therefore, regular intake of tea may improve the antioxidant status in in vivo and thereby reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease.

PMID: 12674376 [PubMed - in process]


Food Chem Toxicol 2002 Jul;40(7):925-33

Inhibition of aromatase activity by green tea extract catechins and their endocrinological effects of oral administration in rats.

Satoh K, Sakamoto Y, Ogata A, Nagai F, Mikuriya H, Numazawa M, Yamada K, Aoki N.

We orally administered polyphenone-60 (P-60), green tea extract catechins, in the diet (0, 1.25 and 5%) to male rats for 2, 4 and 8 weeks initiated at 5 weeks old. It was found that a 5% dose to male rats for 2-8 weeks induced goiters and decreased weights of the body, testis and prostate gland. Endocrinologically, elevating plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels and decreasing tri-iodothyronine (T(3)) and thyroxine (T(4)) levels were induced by this treatment. We also found that P-60 as a whole and some of its constituents exhibited inhibitory effects on human placental aromatase activity by in vitro assay. The concentration of P-60 that required producing 50% inhibition of the aromatase activity (IC(50) value) was 28 microg/ml. The IC(50) values of (-)-catechin gallate (Cg), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) and (-)-gallocatechin gallate (GCg) were 5.5 x 10(-6), 1.0 x 10(-4), 6.0 x 10(-5) and 1.5 x 10(-5) M, respectively. (-)- Epicatechin gallate (ECg) at 1.0 x 10(-4) M produced 20% inhibition. (-)-Epicatechin (EC) and (+)-catechin (CT) exhibited no effects on aromatase activity. The endocrinological changes observed in vivo were in conformity with antithyroid effects and aromatase inhibition effects of P-60 and its constituents.


freshen breath too
In the first study, conducted at Pace University, green tea extracts were mixed with several different kinds of bacteria, including those that cause strep throat and tooth decay. The researchers found that green tea was effective at fighting bacteria by inhibiting their growth.


&amp;quot;Our research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that causes disease,&amp;quot; says lead researcher Milton Schiffenbauer, PhD, a microbiologist and biology professor at Pace University in New York City, in a news release.


In fact, the same study suggests that green tea boosts the effectiveness of toothpaste and mouthwash in fighting viruses. Toothpaste and mouthwash had very little virus-fighting effect when mixed with bacteria; however, when green tea extract was added, 99% to 100% of the bacteria disappeared.


What's responsible for the health benefits of tea? Teas contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants that protect human cells from damage. Flavonids are a group of polyphenols that occur naturally in tea. It is suspected that high levels of these polyphenols in the body can fight viruses as well as cancer, including pancreas, colon, bladder, prostate, and breast cancer.


In the &amp;quot;bad breath&amp;quot; study, researchers combined black tea extracts with three species of bacteria (all linked with bad breath) in petri dishes for 48 hours. They compared the results with bacteria that sat alone.


In all cases, tea polyphenols inhibited the growth of bacteria by 30% and reduced the production of compounds that cause bad breath.


The study suggests that rinsing with black tea keeps plaque from forming and destroys acids that cause tooth decay.


&amp;quot;Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the bad-smelling compounds that these pathogens produce,&amp;quot; says lead researcher Christine D. Wu, PhD, professor of periodontics at the University of Illinois, Chicago, in a news release.


Both studies detailing health benefits of tea were presented at the annual American Society for Microbiology General Meeting held in Washington, D.C., this week.



Medical College of Georgia
http://www.mcg.edu/news/2003NewsRel/hsu.html

Green Tea Linked to Skin Cell Rejuvenation

Christine Hurley Deriso

Research into the health-promoting properties of green tea is yielding
information that may lead to new treatments for skin diseases and
wounds.

Dr. Stephen Hsu, a cell biologist in the Medical College of Georgia
Department of Oral Biology, has uncovered a wealth of information
about green tea in the last few years. Most importantly, he helped
determine that compounds in green tea called polyphenols help
eliminate free radicals, which can cause cancer by altering DNA. He
also found that polyphenols safeguard healthy cells while ushering
cancer cells to their death.

He recently began studying the most abundant green tea polyphenol,
EGCG. Using pooled human keratinocytes (skin cells), he and his
colleagues studied the normal growth of the skin cells and compared it
to the growth of the cells when exposed to EGCG.

To their astonishment, they found that EGCG reactivated dying skin
cells. &amp;quot;Cells that migrate toward the surface of the skin normally
live about 28 days, and by day 20, they basically sit on the upper
layer of the skin getting ready to die,&amp;quot; Dr. Hsu said. &amp;quot;But EGCG
reactivates them. I was so surprised.&amp;quot;

The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis (outer layer), dermis
(mid-layer) and hypodermis (inner layer). Dr. Hsu learned that green
tea polyphenols aren’t absorbed beyond the epidermis, so any benefits
are limited to that outer layer of skin. But the benefits, he
stressed, seem significant.

Cells in the epidermis, or keratinocytes, are in a constant state of
renewal. The newly formed cells, stem cells, are undifferentiated but
rapidly dividing. As they push through the epidermis, they begin
differentiating. During this migration and differentiation process,
the cells are very active, expending and consuming vast amounts of
energy.

Once they reach the surface of the skin, their metabolic activity
slows dramatically and they prepare to die, while forming a
water-proof, sheet-like structure. As they die off about a month into
their life cycle, they are replaced by another wave of migrating cells
supplied by stem cells, starting the process all over again.

But EGCG seems to be a fountain of youth for skin cells. &amp;quot;When exposed
to EGCG, the old cells found in the upper layers of the epidermis
appear to start dividing again,&amp;quot; Dr. Hsu said. &amp;quot;They make DNA and
produce more energy. They are reactivated. There are lots of
unknowns--this is the first step into the door--but if we can energize
dying skin cells, we can probably improve the skin condition.&amp;quot;

In addition, the researchers found that EGCG accelerates the
differentiation process among new cells.

Combining these effects of EGCG on skin cells in different layers of
the epidermis, Dr. Hsu noted potential benefits for skin conditions as
diverse as aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosascea, wrinkles and wounds.
&amp;quot;If skin cells surrounding wounds or infections don’t heal in time,
fibroblasts in the connective tissue may rush in to fill the void and
cause scar tissue formation,&amp;quot; he said. &amp;quot;If we can spur the skin cells
to differentiate and proliferate, we can potentially accelerate the
wound-healing process and prevent scarring.&amp;quot;

This potential benefit is particularly exciting for conditions such as
diabetes, which stubbornly inhibits the wound-healing process, Dr. Hsu
said.

He and his colleagues hope to identify dermatologists interested in
collaborating on clinical studies of EGCG and other polyphenols on
patients.

Dr. Hsu’s research, which is excerpted on the online version of the
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, is funded by
the Dental Research Foundation, the MCG School of Dentistry and MCG
Research Institute.


The abstract...

J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2003 Mar 27; [epub ahead of print]

Green Tea Polyphenols Induce Differentiation and Proliferation in
Epidermal Keratinocytes.

Hsu SD, Bollag WB, Lewis J, Huang Q, Singh B, Sharawy M, Yamamoto T,
Schuster G.

Medical College of Georgia.

The most abundant green tea polyphenol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate
(EGCG), was found to induce differential effects between tumor cells
and normal cells. Nevertheless, how normal epithelial cells respond to
the polyphenol at concentrations for which tumor cells undergo
apoptosis is undefined. The current study tested exponentially growing
and aged primary human epidermal keratinocytes in response to EGCG or
a mixture of the four major green tea polyphenols. EGCG elicited cell
differentiation with associated induction of p57/KIP2 within 24 hours
in growing keratinocytes, measured by the expression of keratin 1,
filaggrin and transglutaminase activity. Aged keratinocytes, which
exhibited low basal cellular activities after culturing in growth
medium for up to 25 days, renewed DNA synthesis and activated
succinate dehydrogenase up to 37-fold upon exposure to either EGCG or
the polyphenols. These results suggest that tea polyphenols may be
used for treatment of wounds or certain skin conditions characterized
by altered cellular activities or metabolism.

PMID: 12663686 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...6&amp;amp;dopt=Abstract


flouride
fluoride levels in extract might be lower than leaf:
http://www.google.com/groups?selm=9...4jof9%404ax.com

I'm also not aware of evidence of fluorosis linked to tea
consumption (except Tibetan &amp;quot;brick tea&amp;quot;). Although there's
evidence of a correlation between improved bone density and
tea drinking, which might be attributed to fluoride content:

Arch Intern Med 2002 May 13;162(9):1001-6:
&amp;quot;CONCLUSION: Habitual tea consumption, especially for more
than 10 years, has significant beneficial effects on BMD
of the total body, lumbar spine, and hip regions in adults.&amp;quot;

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/...9&amp;amp;dopt=Abstract


Recent studies suggest the exract is not as good as the brew but may be even better.


Scientists in the United States and Switzerland may have found two more uses for green tea. Studies published in the December 1999 issues of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition5 and Urology6 show that substances which are abundant in green tea extracts may promote weight loss and treat prostatitis, a painful urinary condition.

Dr. Abdul Dulloo led the research into weight loss, which was conducted at the University of Geneva. Dulloo's team studied the effects of green tea on ten healthy young men (average age: 25) who ranged in body type from &amp;quot;lean&amp;quot; to &amp;quot;mildly overweight.&amp;quot;

The study's participants were put on a &amp;quot;typical Western diet&amp;quot; of about 13% protein, 40% fat and 47% carbohydrates. For six weeks, the men took two capsules consisting of either green tea extract plus 50 milligrams of caffeine; 50 milligrams of caffeine alone; or a placebo with each meal.

Three times during the study, researchers measured the men's energy expenditure (EE - the number of calories used in a 24-hour period) in a respiratory chamber. They also gauged the men's respiration quotient, or RQ. (RQ is a measurement of how well the body utilizes carbohydrates, proteins and fats. A lower RQ means that more fats are being metabolized by the body for energy.)

Results showed that those men taking the green tea extract experienced &amp;quot;a significant increase in 24-h EE&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;a significant decrease in 24-h RQ&amp;quot; over those taking only caffeine or the placebo. Men taking the green tea extract also used more fat calories than those using the placebo.

There was no difference between caffeine users and placebo users in terms of fat calorie burning or overall calorie burning. The scientists surmised that substances known as catechin polyphenols in the green tea extract may alter the body's use of norepinephrine, a chemical transmitter in the nervous system, to increase the rate of calorie burning.

In their conclusion, the scientists stated, &amp;quot;Green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se. The green tea extract may play a role in the control of body composition via sympathetic activation of thermogenesis, fat oxidation, or both.&amp;quot;

Perhaps most importantly, the scientists noted that use of green tea extract was &amp;quot;not accompanied by an increase in heart rate. This leaves open the possibility of using green tea as an alternative to stimulant-based diet drugs, which may cause adverse effects on obese individuals and patients with hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.

While Dulloo's team studied the effects of catechin polyphenols, researchers in the U.S. looked at the possible benefits of another substance found in green tea - a bioflavanoid known as quercetin - to combat nonbacterial chronic prostatitis.

Also known as pelvic pain syndrome, prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that affects approximately 30 million men in the U.S. The condition causes severe urogenital pain, and the standard treatment regimen of antibiotics offers little to no success.

A team of scientists at the Institute for Male Urology in Encino, California headed by Dr. Daniel Shoskes conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by first dividing 30 men with chronic prostatitis into two groups. One group received 500 mg of quercetin twice daily for one month, while the other group received a placebo.

A National Institutes of Health

[**DONOTDELETE**]

[LegendaryWatcher]

Dude, I am totally diggin' this thread. Thanks bro.

I must admit, I love green tea. I know that too much caffeine can be bad, but I used to throw two green tea bags in a 24 ounce mug full of coffee for the ultimate buzz. Talk about your hair standing on end. Good stuff, but not recommended for the caffeine sensitive.

There should be a disclaimer on this one...LOL =)

[**DONOTDELETE**]

[TMack40]

Great post, Cally!

[Duke Juno]

Excellent post guys!!

Now with all this talk about the different qualities of Green Tea, for example, Japanese green tea (sencha specifically) is considered to be "grade A". Can anyone actually vouch for this? I haven't been able find ANY Japanese tea locally. I can only find Chinese stuff. Would my body get more of the benefits from the Japanese tea compared to the Chinese? Or is it really just the taste factor? Less bitter perhaps...

Also I think I've heard you have to drink a ton of the tea to really get the most out of it health wise. I do love the taste of my current brand but I'm lucky to down one cup a day? Should I just supplement with some of the green tea extract pills?

[Etnomaiab]

This is a great post! I have a few questions though. I think I am going to buy some green tea soon, but what kind should i get? Since I am at school, it is a little hard to boil water to make tea from a bag. I could just do it in the microwave, but i would prefer not to if i could. Are there any good green teas that you can buy pre-made? Like arizone green tea? I would guess that this isnt the same.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-Nick

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Excellent post guys!!

Now with all this talk about the different qualities of Green Tea, for example, Japanese green tea (sencha specifically) is considered to be "grade A". Can anyone actually vouch for this? I haven't been able find ANY Japanese tea locally. I can only find Chinese stuff. Would my body get more of the benefits from the Japanese tea compared to the Chinese? Or is it really just the taste factor? Less bitter perhaps...

Also I think I've heard you have to drink a ton of the tea to really get the most out of it health wise. I do love the taste of my current brand but I'm lucky to down one cup a day? Should I just supplement with some of the green tea extract pills?

[/ QUOTE ]

There should be little difference in the benefits derived from the different green teas. You can't take into account growing and soli conditions since they aren't listed on the box! But, green tea is green tea for the most part. Taste and presentation are all that really changes from one to another.

Do you have to drink a lot of tea? Most studies I've read seem to indicate that at about 6 cups a day you'll see benefits. More is better. Less still gives you benefits too though. Even 2 cups a day can make a difference. If you drink coffee, replace it with tea (even a black tea) and you might get more into you. If you have to, use supplements but its just as easy to enjoy a nice cup of tea at meals, in the morning or evening...........any time you feel like a drink. The extract gives you benefits but nothing beats the real thing.

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
This is a great post! I have a few questions though. I think I am going to buy some green tea soon, but what kind should i get? Since I am at school, it is a little hard to boil water to make tea from a bag. I could just do it in the microwave, but i would prefer not to if i could.

[/ QUOTE ]

Heat up the water in the microwave then drop your tea bag in the cup. Don't microwave the bag. Let it steep at least 3 minutes if you can. The longer the better.



[ QUOTE ]
Are there any good green teas that you can buy pre-made? Like arizone green tea? I would guess that this isnt the same.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-Nick

[/ QUOTE ]


All green teas are good. Chinese teas are great and often less bitter than some Japanese green teas. Try a variety and see what you like. The good news is that tea is pretty cheap so if you buy one you hate, you can replce it with another. Just be sure you are getting a real green tea, not a flavoured or imitation one. Read the ingrediants and make sure its got tea leaves and nothing more.

[Draka49]

Hot ****!!!

thnx everyone for opening my eyes to tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I learned something new!

a couple of Q's plz.

[ QUOTE ]
Most studies I've read seem to indicate that at about 6 cups a day you'll see benefits. More is better. Less still gives you benefits too though. Even 2 cups a day can make a difference.

[/ QUOTE ]

1. Does this mean 1 tea bag PER 1 cup of water????

2. Could I boil my water in the morning, put a few tea bags in a thermostat, and then the water in the thermostat and drink the tea in the thermostat over the course of an 8 hour period?? I'm at school so thats why i ask...


thanks

[NotVeryBuff]

so..im sorry if i have missed this..but when do u drink green tea??..i usually have a 2 cups when i get up..two at lunch..and two on a night..could i just replace regular tea with green tea..would it be beneficial in the quantity i have suggested?

NVB

[Perfectbody.nl]

btw guys when u making green tee u must w8 for 5 min so it gets 70/80 degrees cos when its 100 the anti-oxidanten will be lost and the magic will be gone /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Draka49]

^ So don't let the water boil PBodynl???

should we just see the water simmer (i.e. air bubbles coming to surface)????

or just warm the tea up???

thnx if u can answer this

[RGKfit]

Check out white tea...great stuff, much "sweeter" taste than the "grassy" taste of green tea, and I have been drinking green tea for many years. White tea is similar to green tea, as very little processing and no fermentation is involved. What I have read about it is very cool too, white tea contains more active cancer-fighting antioxidants than green tea. There is also considerably less caffeine in white tea. I have been drinking a "pear flavored" white tea and it is excellent tasting without any sweetners. You might want to give it whirl.

[Perfectbody.nl]

ye like i said just wait for 5 mins so it can cool off and then put the bag in it, thats the best way to get most of the magic.

Btw in hot choclate there are alot of anti-oxidants like in green tea /forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[t-man]

great thread, a couple of questions tho:
hows that iced green tea different form actual green tea? i was thinking of getting htat stuff unsweetened and using splenda /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

also, should i put a bit of green tea or extract in my window of opportunity pwo shake?

[RGKfit]

[ QUOTE ]
Btw in hot choclate there are alot of anti-oxidants like in green tea /forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

When making blanket statements, it should be clarified thus people will pick up the wrong idea. Yes, chocolate in moderation is good. It must be dark chocolate, not commercial bought hershey hot chocolate for instance to get these antioxidant effects. When feeling down, it contains phenylethylamine, a chemical that may raise endorpins levels in the brain. Other cocoa chemicals , such as theobromine and caffine can help with alertness. And others stimulate the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, making us feel good. Again, this is dark chocolate being much better than milk chocolate. The dark contains more antioxidants and therefore more flavinoids. Chocolate can actually help your odds against cardiovascualr disease, by reducing blood clotting and ease vessel restriction.

[jwald98]

AHHH! overwhelemed! I love tea though, never know what to get. Earl grey is my favorite. You can order tea in bulk and use a spoon and this method is less processed which is always what we want. "Upton Tea" is a good company and they will send you a big broshure and samples of anytea you like. Mmmm, going to have some right now...

[Crimson]

I mix honey in with my green tea /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif tasty indeed.

I've never had Earl Grey, what's the difference between that and Green Tea?

[LegendaryWatcher]

[ QUOTE ]
great thread, a couple of questions tho:
hows that iced green tea different form actual green tea? i was thinking of getting htat stuff unsweetened and using splenda /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">Both are absolutely great for you and pack the same antioxidant/caffeine punch. </font>

[ QUOTE ]
also, should i put a bit of green tea or extract in my window of opportunity pwo shake?

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">Absolutely not. Post workout is when you want to rehydrate. Try to keep green tea consumption pre workout, and if consuming post workout, I would leave a few hours inbetween. </font>

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Hot ****!!!

thnx everyone for opening my eyes to tea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I learned something new!

a couple of Q's plz.


1. Does this mean 1 tea bag PER 1 cup of water????

2. Could I boil my water in the morning, put a few tea bags in a thermostat, and then the water in the thermostat and drink the tea in the thermostat over the course of an 8 hour period?? I'm at school so thats why i ask...


thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends on the bag. Most bags will give you the equivalent of 2 - 4 cups of tea.

You could do that. Depending on how big your thermos is, you may need only 1 tea bag. 1 bag should give you 16 oz of tea if you leave it in to steep for a while.

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
I mix honey in with my green tea /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif tasty indeed.

I've never had Earl Grey, what's the difference between that and Green Tea?

[/ QUOTE ]

Green tea is "green" and Earl Grey is a "black" tea. The differences are discussed in the thread near the beginning.

[theory]

I dont drink tea much so I dont have a feel for quantaties of tea, how many teaspoons is one cup of tea?

It almost summer here in australia I think I might be makeing some iced tee drinks to have pre cardio on my cut /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
I dont drink tea much so I dont have a feel for quantaties of tea, how many teaspoons is one cup of tea?

It almost summer here in australia I think I might be makeing some iced tee drinks to have pre cardio on my cut /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

6 - 8 ounces is a good cup.

[theory]

ah well other than the fact that in most aussies dont know what an ounce is /forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif how much do you put in 6-8 ounces (how many teabags or teaspoons of green tea)

[LegendaryWatcher]

1 Teabag is all you need for 6-8 ounces, but if you want to be really hardcore you can throw in two for the ultimate buzz.

Heck, you want to get really, really buzzed, throw those two tea bags in 6-8 ounces of coffee. Just make sure to drink tons of water to rehydrate yourself and beware of the crash on the way down.

[q22weasel]

i've noticed a lot of info here...but nothing on caffeine-free green tea. does it still carry most of the health benefits of regular green tea?

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
i've noticed a lot of info here...but nothing on caffeine-free green tea. does it still carry most of the health benefits of regular green tea?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would stay away from caffeine free tea and coffee. Its my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the decaffination process using chemicals leaving residual amounts of nasty stuff. This is especially problematic if you're planning to drink a lot of tea.

If you have a caffeine tolerance or allergy issue, you may have to resort to other herbal substances.

[dunno]

Painman, caffeine used to be removed via harsh chemical solvents(and some may still do it this way) but the majority is done via CO2 gas which has no real risks associated w/ it(I would hope not as we breath the stuff out constantly!)

[q22weasel]

[ QUOTE ]


I would stay away from caffeine free tea and coffee. Its my understanding (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the decaffination process using chemicals leaving residual amounts of nasty stuff. This is especially problematic if you're planning to drink a lot of tea.

If you have a caffeine tolerance or allergy issue, you may have to resort to other herbal substances.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
Painman, caffeine used to be removed via harsh chemical solvents(and some may still do it this way) but the majority is done via CO2 gas which has no real risks associated w/ it(I would hope not as we breath the stuff out constantly!)

[/ QUOTE ]

wow, interesting info! i had not heard this before. i will definately check into the proccess before i purchase any decaf tea! thanks for the info /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[CraZy-T!]

Wow! I'm crazy about tea (all kinds!) but never thought I'd find comrads in a bodybuilding forum! Go figure /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Just thought I'd add some tidbits I've come across in my teatoddling. Most have to do with getting the most taste out of your teas, so those of you caffeine junkies can ignore me and brew to your heart's content. /forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif

<font color="red"> -*- </font> Ideal water temperatures and Steeping times (adjust to taste, of course):

For Black and Oolong Teas: Bring water to a boil and steep 2.5-5 minutes

Green and White Teas: Heat water until steaming, but not boiling. And the kicker... only let green tea steep 45 seconds to 2 minutes! This avoids bitterness and brings out the real flavor of the tea which is lost if the tea is "scalded." Of course some people LIKE bitterness...

Herbal Teas and Rooibos Tea (Rooibos is an African "Mock Tea" that has no caffeine but still as many antioxidants and bioflavinones as green tea): 5 minutes or more.

<font color="red"> -*- </font> Tea in bags might need a little longer steepage, as the quality of the leaves used in mass bag productions is of a lower quality than for loose tea. If you use bags, stay away from the big name brands and try for a health food store brand ("Yogi Teas" is a popular and pretty good one.)

<font color="red"> -*- </font> Tea Bags and loose tea can be re-used after they are strained... I usually get a couple of pots of tea out of my leaves, and the flavor isn't really affected.

<font color="red"> -*- </font> A "proper cup of tea" is 6oz, or just less than a mug (1 cup or 8ozs). Use a Tea Bag per 6oz, or for loose tea, use a teaspoon (suprised?). To get really picky, green and white teas should be a level teaspoon and black and oolongs should be slightly heaping. Not that anyone's watching...

<font color="red"> -*- </font> Always start with cold water in your pot/kettle, it really affects the taste of your tea. Something to do with the oxygen levels of the water that are already partially depleated with warm water. On that note, NO RE-USING BOILED WATER! Tastes bad, and in the Chi Kung practice they believe that once water has boiled for more than 30 seconds the Chi (Life-force energy) evaporates. This is why water that sits in an opened water bottle tastes terrible after a few days.

<font color="red"> -*- </font> Organic vs. Unorganic Tea: Makes a difference when using bagged tea. Most loose tea producers are small plantations that can't afford pesticides and chemicals anyway, so all you're paying for is the certification.

There we go! My first "real" post! Now to get my glutes in gear and start my workout journal.

Cheers!

[MC-JayCore]

Green tea rules, I have been drinking it everyday for over a year...

Some awesome posts in this thread, thanks for the info people!

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Painman, caffeine used to be removed via harsh chemical solvents(and some may still do it this way) but the majority is done via CO2 gas which has no real risks associated w/ it(I would hope not as we breath the stuff out constantly!)

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know that everyone has abondoned the chemical process for decaffination. Be nice if they did. And, I don't think people list their process on the box. SO, you may be taking a risk if you drink decaffinated stuff. The caffeine levels in tea are significantly less than coffee so if people are worried about a caffeine buzz from drinking too much tea........don't be. Depending on the tea, you'd need to drink 3 - 6 cups of tea to get the same caffeine as from one cup of coffee.

[dunno]

Painman, I usually buy only organic tea and the decaffinated kinds usually go into detail about how it is decaffinated.

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
Painman, I usually buy only organic tea and the decaffinated kinds usually go into detail about how it is decaffinated.

[/ QUOTE ]

Cool. Makes it easier to get the right stuff then /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[shodan]

I began drinking green tea last winter and I swear it had something to do w/ the fact I did not catch one cold all winter long (actually have not had a cold since I started drinking it last September). I personally use a brand named Tazo, tastes good and seems to be pretty legit as far as using quality leaves. Just my .02.

[sucramdw]

Does abc even have an article on Green tea-about all of its health benefits? Or should i just google it.

[goldenboy]

[ QUOTE ]
Does abc even have an article on Green tea-about all of its health benefits? Or should i just google it.

[/ QUOTE ]

95% sure they don't but, I know for a fact Google does have a handful of useful ones.

[Satch]

Two Questions:

How long will green tea last once brewed? Does the stuff denature or what?

AND

Does it have to be brewed in hot water? I don't like it hot i like it cold. I love Arizona Green Tea with honey. Tastes GOOOOOD.

[xenochromocript]

I love green tea too. I got on it the summer when I was drinking 12 cups of coffee a day and had to give it up for awhile because of stomach problems (duh, 12 cups is a lot). Still gave me some of the caffeine I needed, and my stomach problems vanished almost immediately!

[goldenboy]

How long before your workouts do you guys drink green tea?

[LegendaryWatcher]

[ QUOTE ]
How long before your workouts do you guys drink green tea?

[/ QUOTE ]

30-45 minute before a workout is sufficient.

[Derganc]

My mom just bought Diet Snapple Lime Green Tea. I was just wondering if there's anything in it that isn't good? It would be a lot easier to buy this than makeing it.

Serving Size (fl oz) 8
Servings per Container 2
Juice Content (%) 0
Calories 0
Total Fat (g) 0
% Daily Value (Fat) 0
Sodium (mg) 10
% Daily Value (Sodium) 0
Total Carb (g) 1
% Daily Value (Carb) 0
Sugars (g) 0
Protein (g) 0
Vitamin C (%) 0

Ingredients:
Water, Natural Lime Flavor With Other Natural Flavors, Sucralose, Citric Acid, Potassium Citrate, Green Tea, Ascorbic Acid, Acesulfame Potassium

[bigboi578]

One thing i didnt see in here is, can u drink green tea cold, and will it have the same effect as hot? and how long will it last in the fridge?
and a second on the last post about the snapple thing.

[LegendaryWatcher]

[ QUOTE ]
One thing i didnt see in here is, can u drink green tea cold, and will it have the same effect as hot? and how long will it last in the fridge?
and a second on the last post about the snapple thing.


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you most definitely can drink green tea cold. It is great served up on the rocks as well. As for it having the same effect, yes it should have the same effects as when it was initially brewed.

How long will it last in the fridge? I would venture to say it will last quite a while if kept chilled and properly sealed.

As for the Snapple, if I am not mistaken isn't sucralose an artificial sweetner?

[Derganc]

I think sucralose is Splenda, I'm not sure though.

[bigboi578]

ok thats good because i tried to drink it hot and i almost thru up lol. sucralose is indeed splenda. i look at walmart today for the snapple thing and didnt find it but i didnt find a SOBE green tea thing. didnt look into it to much though, kinda crowded.

[Satch]

Does GT have to be brewed in hot water?

[LegendaryWatcher]

[ QUOTE ]
Does GT have to be brewed in hot water?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, in order to brew tea one must use hot water, preferably boiling or to the point of almost boiling.

[adenine]

I just picked up a box of Lipton 100% Natural Green Tea w/honey. I'm gonna see how this works out for me.

[goldenboy]

Someone should turn this tread into a FAQ so it's easlier to follow.

[Mr.Jack]

I love green tea.
I boil the water , and let the leafes in for 8+min.
I buy it in packs that contain only the leafes ( no smal paper bags , nothing , just 100% purea green tea leafes)
Ways to drink it:
-simple
-+ 2 teaspoons of sugar
-with lemon
-cofee milk(condesed milk/no fat)
Do not try to combine lemon with cofee milk , i dosn't work /forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif.
It's not as powerfull as cofee , but its 1000 times healthier.
I also have problems with my stomake, mainly hiper acidity.Green tea heals it , and i feel mutch better.
To sum it all up it's the best drink next to water.hopfully i'l never drink pepsi&amp; the like again.
(p.s. excuse my poor english)

[JoE DoN 216]

i brew a big ole container of it just like one would with coolaid and such and keep it in the fridge drink it allll the time, its strange though, somtimes ill glug some down before bed and wake up the next morning with a dry mouth as if i drank about a half gallon of rum the last night (without the headache of course /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) whats up with that

[Derganc]

[ QUOTE ]
i brew a big ole container of it just like one would with coolaid and such and keep it in the fridge drink it allll the time, its strange though, somtimes ill glug some down before bed and wake up the next morning with a dry mouth as if i drank about a half gallon of rum the last night (without the headache of course /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) whats up with that

[/ QUOTE ]

caffeine...It's loaded with it... and that will dehydrate you.

[kaysi]

Yeah I did drink green tea alot but now im bulking so I stopped drinking it because I thought it would make me lose weight. Can anybody tell me if green tea would make a difference during a bulk. Thanks.

[Dmitri]

"Green tea is "green" and Earl Grey is a "black" tea."

I recently bought some really great green tea, but this post confused me. I used to drink some that was 45 bags for about 2-3 bucks at GNC but bought a 50 bag pack from the Republic of Tea. It is "Green Earl Grey" tea. It says it is green tea. Is it just a green form of Earl Grey? Comments?

Edit: A friend of my father owns a Coffee shop where I get my tea, and I recently found a new item, it is a "Red Tea" from Africa I believe. Any information on this or is it just one of thsoe Herbal drinks that isn't really tea?

[PainMan]

[ QUOTE ]
"Green tea is "green" and Earl Grey is a "black" tea."

I recently bought some really great green tea, but this post confused me. I used to drink some that was 45 bags for about 2-3 bucks at GNC but bought a 50 bag pack from the Republic of Tea. It is "Green Earl Grey" tea. It says it is green tea. Is it just a green form of Earl Grey? Comments?

Edit: A friend of my father owns a Coffee shop where I get my tea, and I recently found a new item, it is a "Red Tea" from Africa I believe. Any information on this or is it just one of thsoe Herbal drinks that isn't really tea?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, the "traditional" Earl grey Tea is a black tea. The distinctive Earl Grey flavour comes from the combination of tea leaves from different areas of the world. Now, keep in mind that the diffrence between green and black tea is that black tea is oxidized (fermented) and green tea is not. So, you could take the sames leaves used to make a standard Earl Grey tea and simply not oxidize them. That would give you the green tea equivalent of an Earl grey blend.

I haven't heard of "Red Tea" as yet.

[Digity]

I drink Twinings Gunpowder Green Tea. It's good stuff. I throw a teaspoon into a thermostat. Pour a cup of water in...let it sit for 3 minutes and pour it out with a strainer. Done.

If you brew it too long it'll taste bitter and crappy. I'm amazed by some of the brew times I saw....8 minutes...that's too long. I usually have a cup before working out, but I'm not sure if it helps my workout.

http://www.twinings.com/en_us/explore_our_range/prod_detail.asp?dept_id=7&amp;blend_id=29

[Andrew G.]

[ QUOTE ]
I drink Twinings Gunpowder Green Tea. It's good stuff. I throw a teaspoon into a thermostat. Pour a cup of water in...let it sit for 3 minutes and pour it out with a strainer. Done.

If you brew it too long it'll taste bitter and crappy. I'm amazed by some of the brew times I saw....8 minutes...that's too long. I usually have a cup before working out, but I'm not sure if it helps my workout.

http://www.twinings.com/en_us/explore_our_range/prod_detail.asp?dept_id=7&blend_id=29

[/ QUOTE ]

I have gunpowder green tea... and you'd be scared if I told you what I do...

I brew about 2 heaping tbl. spoons in about 50 oz. of water for 2-8 hours /forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[PoppinFresh]

What kind of hot teas do they usually serve at chinese/oriental places? Oh my goodness some of those teas are so great. Are they Oolong?

My favorite tea right now would have to be a Black Java tea. Mmm

[Digity]

2-8 hours...wtf!?

That's crazy IMO...eh, whatever flips your switch.

In terms of black tea, I also like Twining's Orange Pekoe, which is loose leaf. I don't drink tea out of a bag anymore...it just doesn't seem right and I like the fact that I get whole leaves when using loose.

Loose is the way to go.

[adenine]

I'm drinking the decaffeinated green tea now since I'm using creatine. On the box it says naturally decaffeinated with pure spring water and CO2 so I'm assuming its safe.

[psaturn]

About the quality of green tea, I found a Jasmine infused green tea at Los Angele's Chinatown that cost $40 a pound and I bought like $10 worth just to try it.

I was hooked.

Next time I went, I bought one pound and gladly paid $40 for my tea. LOL

It is called Queen of Jasmine Tea and it looks like little spherical balls that is green and white in color. When you brew it with very hot water, they open up as tea leaves. The flavor is just out of this world.

I tried to find a similar replacement for less cost. I tried an $11 a pound green tea and it was NOT the same !

My niece in Paris tells me that they have that in Paris, France. I imagine this is being sold all over. I found this tea in New York City Greenwhich Village tea and coffee shop for $70 a pound. But in New York City Chinatown it is being sold for $40 a pound.

This tea is so good I can brew this cup over and over with the same leaves and it is NOT bitter at all. Still smooth and exquisite. Sometimes I still used the same leaves the next day !

[Digity]

Yeah, I've tried that $40 tea before. There's a tea shop about 1/2 hour away from where I live. I liked it, but I'm not willing to shelf out the money for it. I'm happy with my $6 tin can of gunpowder green tea...although, I plan to try some other green teas out too.

[psaturn]

The nice thing about this tea is that you can put this tea in Thermos and leave it all day and refill it with hot water. It will NOT taste bitter at all !!!

It is so smoooooth !

[TheShanMan]

Thanks to this thread I've been trying various green teas and have really begun to enjoy it. The flavor I've really become addicted to is Lemon Green Tea, which has me wondering, if it is flavored like that, does it mean there is less green tea in a single bag in order to "make room" for the lemon flavoring? I imagine it's not significant, but if anyone has any good info on flavored green teas vs. straight green tea, I'd like to hear it.

[Kitosho]

A green tea question:

Is it okay to just put the tea bag into the kettle and boil the water that way? I usually boil the water and pour it into the cup with the tea bag in it, but it seems like the former would be more efficient. And stronger! Anyone do this?

[Digity]

[ QUOTE ]
A green tea question:

Is it okay to just put the tea bag into the kettle and boil the water that way? I usually boil the water and pour it into the cup with the tea bag in it, but it seems like the former would be more efficient. And stronger! Anyone do this?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never heard of anyone doing that...I don't think it's a good idea. Tea is something simple. You just need to seep if for a few minutes and you're done.

[psaturn]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks to this thread I've been trying various green teas and have really begun to enjoy it. The flavor I've really become addicted to is Lemon Green Tea, which has me wondering, if it is flavored like that, does it mean there is less green tea in a single bag in order to "make room" for the lemon flavoring? I imagine it's not significant, but if anyone has any good info on flavored green teas vs. straight green tea, I'd like to hear it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Never heard of lemon flavored green tea.

My favorite is Jasmine Green tea and the way they do it is the put jasmine flower petals in with the green tea leaves and they let infuse the scent with it together.

With lemon, I guess they put lemon oil with the green tea? Like I said, I never seen a lemon flavored green tea.

[Silvan]

[ QUOTE ]
A green tea question:

Is it okay to just put the tea bag into the kettle and boil the water that way? I usually boil the water and pour it into the cup with the tea bag in it, but it seems like the former would be more efficient. And stronger! Anyone do this?

[/ QUOTE ]


thats what I usually do

[cadet95]

i love green tea. I drink about 3-4 cups a day. i knew it was good for ya, but I didnt know ALL of the good things it could do. thanks

[quest4facts]

here's one I found, it was just released today

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7187847/

[Kitosho]

[ QUOTE ]
A green tea question:

Is it okay to just put the tea bag into the kettle and boil the water that way? I usually boil the water and pour it into the cup with the tea bag in it, but it seems like the former would be more efficient. And stronger! Anyone do this?

[/ QUOTE ]

I tried it this morning. Worked fine.

[Duke Juno]

I mentioned this in another thread but thought I would bring it up here also.

Lately I've heard that the catechins in green tea aid greatly in the bodies removal of toxic metals (mercury, cadmium, lead and chrome). Is this possibly an excuse to eat more tuna worry free?? lol

Has anyone else heard much in regards to this? Or I wonder if this is just something the manufacturers are just starting to come up with as another selling point on the benefits of green tea?

[Digity]

Anyone buy tea online? If so, give me the link.

[gregg]

Does this mean that drinking green tea doesn't make sense since you would have to drink at least 10 cups a day to get the effects of green tea supplements?

And what about green tea and kidney stones? Green tea contains a substance which can cause kidney stones.

[Leafy Green Vegetables]

Those who drink 6 cups a day, dont you run into dehydration or caffeine desensitization?