What is green tea made of Ever Wondered that What are the Constituents of Green Tea?
Next to water, tea is probably the most widely drunk beverage in the world. There are three main varieties of tea, black tea, green tea and oolong tea.
They all grow from the same plant, Camellia sinesis, but their characteristics change when they are processed. While black tea is prepared through fermentation, green tea leaves are made to wither and dry after they are picked.
What is green tea made of?
Green tea is primarily made of polyphenol, a powerful antioxidant chemical. Incidentally, it is the polyphenol that lends green tea a slightly astringent flavor.
Of the six constituents of polyphenol called catechins, apigallocatechin gallate --also known as EGCG-- is the most active and beneficial for health.
Green tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid compound. It is a great relaxant as it calms the taut nerves.
Health benefits of green tea
Fermentation deprives the tea leaves of their natural properties. Since green tea does not have to go through the process of fermentation, its constituents retain their inherent beneficial characteristics. Some of these are:
Anti-oxidant
As mentioned above, green tea contains polyphenol, an antioxidant chemical that fights the free radicals and neutralizes them. Free radicals are compounds that damage the DNA and alter or even kill the healthy cells in human body. They thus cause a large number of diseases including cancer and heart problems.
Prevents tooth decay
Studies have found that green tea makes the gums healthy and prevents tooth decay. It also retards several other indicators of periodontal problems such as bleeding.
Strengthens brain
Research conducted in Japan showed that green tea not only relaxes the brain, but it also strengthens it. People above 70 who drink green tea regularly are less likely to show signs of weakened brain or cognitive impairment than those who do not take green tea.
Prevents heart problems
A regular consumption of green tea keeps the heart strong and significantly lowers the risks of cardiovascular problems. It has been found that those who drink at least three cups of green tea are 21% less likely to be exposed to risk of stroke.
Beneficial for cholesterol
Green tea lowers the LDL--bad cholesterol and raises the HDL or good cholesterol. It is believed that polyphenols in green tea not only retard the formation of cholesterol in the intestines but also promote its expulsion from the body
But green gives greater benefits it is taken as loose tea leaves. Tea bags contain tea dust called fannings that cut down both its flavor and benefits.
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