Thursday, November 17, 2011

Would You Like Some Tea?

Over the past few years we've heard many people talking about the health benefits of green tea and since I drink it everyday about twice a day I decided to get the facts of this drink that has been enjoyed in China and Japan for centuries {all images from Martha Stewart online}.


The difference between green and black is the time when the leaves are picked and dried because both of them come from the same plant called Camellia sinesis. The process used to dry green tea allows for it to contain a high concentration of antioxidants which in turn help scavenge free radical and not allowing damaging compounds to alter our cells and cause them to die {seriously!}.


In certain cultures green tea has been used through the years as a diuretic, stimulant, astringent and to improve heart health as well as regulating body temperature and blood sugar. Some people {like me} whose stomachs are more susceptible to the acid from coffee drink green tea for alertness because it contains about 50 milligrams of caffeine per cup compared to 175 milligrams in coffee.


The antioxidant found in green tea is called ECGC which has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties that help prevent the growth of tumors and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Studies have found that women who consume green tea have decreased chances of getting bladder, breast, ovarian and lung cancer amongst others {check THIS article for more info}.


To make it even better, green tea has shown signs of helping boost metabolism which in turn help people lose weight and burn more fat... thank the catechins for that!


To brew the tea avoid using boiling water because it can burn the good "stuff" included in it. If you are buying loose tea make sure to separate the leaves and then add the water, let steep for about 3-5 minutes and then remove the leaves of bag because they might make it bitter.


Have a great day and enjoy the benefits of your tea!

44 comments:

  1. How wonderful! I never knew there was that much benefits on green tea. Have a fabulous day, Kellie xx

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  2. I enjoy green tea and I also like white tea as well..which is meant to be healthy for you too!! x

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  3. the only tea i drink is iced tea, and i know that doesn't really count. ;) i'm really trying my hardest to drink and enjoy green tea, though. :)

    <3, Mimi
    http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

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  4. I love green tea! I cannot wait to try this!! :) xx

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  5. I love green tea...since being in Australia, we buy all our teas from T2 (http://t2tea.com/) My favorite is White Jasmine :)

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  6. I'm a tea lover, so this post is great. Thanks for sharing.
    Green tea is always a good idea...

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  7. I love reading your blog, this post reminds me of being back home and good old Yorkshire tea :)
    Thank you for your comment on my blog. New follower!!
    Aimee
    www.new-yorkdoll.blogspot.com
    xxx

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  8. I love green tea. I've just started drinking it every morning (after much-needed coffee, of course). I'm hoping that this and my daily dose of grapefruit juice will be enough to stave off any sicknesses this winter.

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  9. I have only tried green tea once (yes, really!). And I really didn't like it, to be honest! Maybe I should try it again, it's probably an acquired taste, cause as you said, it's really good for you! :)SarahD

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  10. I also drink green tea daily and I love this post. Its totally spot on. Thanks, darling and have a fantastic day. xo

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  11. i so need to make myself drink more tea. although i am a green tea fan in ice cream form!

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  12. I drink lots of green tea also, I love how you can benefit so much from drinking something that's so tasty!

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  13. I don't drink tea leaves but I do drink herbal teas like chamomile and mint.

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  14. Mmm. I love tea. Living in the south, we are all about the iced sweet black tea. But in our house we switched to semi-sweet iced green tea for the health benefits. :) (And it helps fight heartburn).

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  15. I love tea. I've been having it every morning since it's been cooler and I'm loving it. Gorgeous post xo

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  16. How much green tea should you drink per day? I myself need the caffeine in coffee but tea is so soothing

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  17. What a great post!
    Thank you so much for sharing this here!

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  18. Oh my gosh...love tea...and especially since I'm getting over this irritating cold! :(

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  19. I know it's good for you but I'm glad I read this because it's so easy to blow off green tea and opt for coffee. I have a blend I really love from a Japanese market that my business partner says a lot of people drink in Japan {where he grew up} it's half Asam and half green tea--I love the flavor. Lovely post and I adore the photos!

    xo Mary Jo

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  20. thank you for visiting my blog and commenting, it always make me happy!

    I looove that 2nd pic it's gorgeous!!

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  21. I'm not a tea drinker but my father is. He loves green tea. I've tried green tea before and didn't like it. Maybe I should branch out and try different kinds.

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  22. Thanks for all the wonderful information! I have been trying to cut back on coffee and drink more green tea. So far I still reaching for the coffee.

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  23. Thanks for sharing! I had no idea:) I can't wait to try out some of these recipes.

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  24. i love this! i am an herbal tea-aholic. and green tea is not always my fav flavor wise, so i get the pomegranate green tea, which i love!

    those little souffles at the end are so cute! i am fascinated. leave it to martha!

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  25. love the information in this post and I adore tea:) cute photos!

    xoxo
    molliee

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  26. These make me thirsty, despite drinking tea as I read. Lovely!

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  27. Is it terrible to admit that for all the health benefits, I just can't bring myself to drink the stuff?

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  28. Wow, who knew! I wish I liked the taste of tea but I just don't. Does herbal tea does the same??

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  29. WHOA! i already drink tea everyday, but just black and red! it's my mom who's a fan of green and mint tea... need to get on it and buy some tmrrw! i dont drink it because im not so much of a fan of the taste.. maybe i can break it with lemon or sugar, we'll see! :)
    XOXO Kasia
    http://misskasia.blogspot.com

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  30. Ah Green tea is so good for you. So great you drink it twice a day. I drink coffee but should really drink tea.

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  31. I didn't know the difference and you brought up some excellent points. THANKS! :D
    http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

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  32. Wow what an informative post. I feel silly that I didn't know what made the difference between green and black. I still depend on my daily cup of joe, but have been turning to tea in the afternoons!

    PS. Stop by for my holiday entertaining essentials GIVEAWAY!

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  33. tea is so great! my choice is honey green tea :)

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  34. Your post make me want to drink tea right now! Great post!! -akiko

    http://styleimported.blogspot.com/

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  35. I'm admittedly not a big tea drinker, but I love the concept of teatime!
    xo Josie
    www.winksmilestyle.com

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  36. great post! and what is that last image? not sure what it is, but it looks delicious!

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  37. WOW!! Thanks so much for sharing these facts!! I love green tea and will feel extra great next time I drink it!!

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  38. Great post. I love tea and will drink more of the green one :)

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  39. I'm convinced...I must start drinking green tea!
    x
    Melissah from Coastal Style

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  40. Love this! I have been drinking green tea for years but especially in the last 2 1/2 since I had some health problems. My FAVE is a little splurge but it's "Green tea with coconut" from T Salon in NYC. it's a sencha and is aMAZing and subtile. I get everyone addicted to it! :)

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  41. I love green tea. My fave is the yogi antioxidant. It tastes like fruitloops ;)

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