Brews N News

A good time of year to enjoy a cup of green tea

Green tea helps fight the flu,
by Roman Bystrianyk,
"Green tea helps fight the flu",www.HealthSentinel.com,
November 29, 2005,

Each year there is mounting fear as the flu season approaches. With much of the attention given to the avian flu this year, the level of anxiety has increased in many people. With these concerns there is an interest in finding alternatives that can help fight the flu.

Several studies show that green tea – in particular chemicals called polyphenols – decrease the infectivity of the influenza virus. A study conducted at Pace University indicated that green tea extracts and polyphenols have an adverse effect on bacteria that cause strep throat and other infections. Milton Schiffenbauer, PhD, a microbiologist and biology professor at Pace University in New York City, stated in a news release that, “Our research shows tea extracts can destroy the organism that causes disease. If we can stimulate the immune system and at the same time we are destroying the organisms then it makes sense to drink more tea.”

Green tea is produced from the leaves of an evergreen plant called Camellia sinensis. The major active ingredient in green tea is believed to be the polyphenol compounds called catechins. These key compounds include EGCG, EGC, and ECG.

A study in the August 2005 journal Antiviral Research, examines these compounds against three currently circulating influenza viruses. The authors performed a number of experiments to examine the effects of green tea on these flu strains.

They found that these compounds were effective in reducing the plaque forming capabilities of the viruses. A plaque is produced when a virus infects a cell, replicates, and then kills that cell. EGCG and ECG at 50 ìM (micromolar) inhibited more than 50% of the plaque forming ability of the influenza viruses. However, when all the polyphenols were combined the mixture reduced the plaque forming by over 90% and in the case of one flu strain (A/Chile/1/83 – H1N1) by nearly 100%.

Other experiments showed that the greater the concentration of green tea polyphenols the more of the flu virus was inhibited. “The results suggest that the antiviral effect is exerted not only in the initially infecting viruses but newly propagated viruses as well.”

After drinking 1 cup of tea, the maximum blood concentration of EGCG in humans reaches 60 micromoles in adults weighing 60 kg (132 pounds). Some authors recommend as many as 10 cups of green tea per day to achieve green tea’s optimal benefits, although the study authors caution that this study was done outside the human body and should be interpreted with some caution.

The author’s emphasize that the “total tea extract” was much more effective than any single of the green tea polyphenols that were tested in isolation. They note that, “dietary uptake of tea would be beneficial for direct intervention of influenza virus infection.”

SOURCE: Antiviral Research, August 2005

Tea & Citrus: A Healthy, Tasty Combo

Do you take your tea with lemon? 

If not perhaps you should consider it.  It seems that lemon with your tea could reduce you risk of skin cancer.  At the University of Arizona Cancer Center, Iman Hakim and Robin Harris conducted a study of some 450 people.  From their sample, 225 suffered from squamous-cell carcinoma. 

The conducted study suggested that those who consumed significantly more citrus peel (such as orange and lemon peel) in beverages, baked goods and hot tea, were less likely to develop skin cancer.  According to the study, citrus juice and pulp do not contain as many of the cancer fighting phytonutrients as the peel does.  According to Hakim, iced drinks tend to be less effective than hot ones because they are diluted with ice. 

Compounds contained in both black tea and citrus peel appear to offer protection against skin cancer.  The regular consumption of tea and citrus peel were associated with more than a 70% reduction in risk for this type of cancer.  Those who only consumed the black tea resulted in only a 40% cancer risk reduction.  The researchers are now trying to pinpoint exalty how frequently, and in what amounts, people can consume tea and citrus peel to experience these health benefits. 

In the mean time I'm gonna go and sip on a nice hot cup of Organic Planet Orange Spice Tea.

Green Tea Could Fight Alzheimer's Disease

Green Tea Could Provide Alzheimer’s Breakthrough
By Jess Halliday 9/21/2005

Scientists investigating the effects of green tea antioxidant EGCG on mice’s brains believe their positive results may signal its use as a preventative or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is the most potent antioxidant polyphenol in green tea and has been repeatedly studied in labs for its purported anti-cancer effect. Ingredients companies DSM and Taiyo have isolated EGCG and offer it in highly purified form to food and supplements manufacturers. The new study, published today in the Journal of Neuroscience, will certainly be of interest to them, especially as the researchers say that the effects they observed in their study may not be brought about by drinking green tea, but that pure EGCG extract may be required.

Read the full article... 

Yerba Maté

When you're in South America, the drink of choice is Yerba Maté (pronounced YER-ba MA-tay). It's a very popular form of herbal tea that is commonly seen in countries like Argentina and Paraguay. Yerba Maté comes from the Yerba Maté tree (Ilex paraguarensis), asmall tree native to the subtropical highlands of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.

This evergreen member of the Holly family was introduced to colonizing and modern civilizations by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay and Uruguay. The drink is brewed from the dried leaves and stemlets of this perennial tree. Yerba Mate is known as the national drink of these countries, and is consumed by millions of South Americans as a healthful alternative to coffee. This stimulating herbal beverage has the unique ability to wake up the mind without the nervousness and jitters associated with coffee.

There are 196 volatile (or active) chemical compounds found in the Yerba Mate plant. Of those, 144 are also found in green tea.
Each infusion of Mate contains: Vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B Complex
Minerals: Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus.

In South America, the morning and afternoon beverage of choice is Yerba Mate. In fact, mate bars are as prevelant in South American countries as coffee bars are here in the states. According to a survey conducted by IBOPE Argentina, yerba mate boasts a 92% household consumption rate in Argentina. Yerba Mate, like coffee, is available in different flavors and prepared in various ways.

The Longevity Institute About Green Tea

Since last year, I keep hearing the name of Dr. Hans Gruenn from varied sources. He is the founder of The Longevity Institute in Los Angeles and is a medical doctor who practices natural and alternative therapies as well as Western medicine. Originally from Germany, he apparently offers the best of European and American medicine. I have repeatedly heard from several friends and associates about the marvels Dr.Gruenn delivers, so I decided to take a closer look for myself. I figured it was time to see what this was all about.

I reviewed the website and found this article by the Longevity Institute about Green Tea. You may already know most of this, but perhaps there is a new gem or two. The article is based on numerous studies that are noted. Read Dr. Gruenn's Green Tea article here...

Kombucha, the Tea Mushroom

Nowadays we experience a return to healing measures that are close to nature; also remedies and foods of a natural origin - away from industrial packaged products. This may be one of the reasons for the great attractiveness and fascination of the healthful beverage called Kombucha. This culture is made from Green or Black tea, and has survived for thousands of years, read about it here... The Facination of Kombucha.

More Articles on Health Benefits of Tea

I think you will be absolutely amazed at the amount of health articles posted at NewsTarget.com regarding the many benefits associated with consuming green tea.

Green teas offered by Organic Planet Coffee and Tea feature the taste and tradition of China and Japan. Freshly picked tea leaves are steamed or pan-fried to stop fermentation. This process preserves the delicate green color and flavor.

Studies show that the health benefits of green tea range from strengthening the immune system, to inhibiting cholesterol absorption and is also known to have antioxidant qualities.

Organic Planet teas allow you to experience tea to its fullest with loose leaf. You simply pour pure boiled water over one teaspoon of loose leaves, steep for 5-7 minutes, then filter into your cup. It's truly a soulful experience.

Choose from 6 varieties including: 

• Genmaicha - Japanese green tea accented with toasted brown rice. Perfect for afternoon renewal!
• Lemon Ginger - Cooling lemon grass and warming ginger root balance nicely on a base of Japanese green tea. Great pick-me-up! 
• Gunpowder - Coiled balls of Chinese green tea unfurl to full size in your cup - fun!
• Green Jasmine - A bit on the naughty side - very exotic and seductive.
• Sencha - Spring-harvested green tea leaves of Japan. Brews a light, grassy-flavored cup.
• Green Vigor - Has your get up and go, gone up and went? If so, you might like this blend. A tasty tonic!

So go now and buy yourself some healthy green tea. I mean after reading all those articles above, how can you not want to bring this delicious brew into your daily life?

Rooibos; The Herbal Wonder

Rooibos is a Tisane or Herbal tea. It comes from the plant Aspalathus linearis, a small shrubby bush (1-1/2 to 3 feet tall) that only grows in South Africa. It has very thin, green needle-like leaves, which turn red after fermentation. The name Rooibus comes from the African slang version of Red Bush from Dutch.

It is a rather delicate plant and is best kept in its natural soil. The farming of Rooibos has always been very close to nature and remains so today. The taste is also unique with a very sweet and slightly nutty flavor. Its delicious taste and many health benefits has made it a rather popular drink around the world today.

Rooibos has no caffeine and is very low on tannin, so it can be enjoyed throughout the day; even for those sensitive to tannin and caffeine, like nursing mothers and pregnant women.

Various studies have shown the many health problems that can be helped by drinking Rooibos tea:

• Eases irritability, headaches, nervous tension and insomnia.
• Acts as an anti-spasmodic agent, to relieve stomach cramps and colic in infants
• Can be used to treat hay fever, asthma and eczema
• Placed directly on the skin, it can slow the aging process
• Boosts the immune system
• Rooibos tea contains no oxalic acid, so it can safely be consumed by people who are prone to kidney stones.

There are so many minerals in the tea that it can almost be considered a nutritional supplement. These include:

• Copper
• Iron
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Fluoride
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Alpha-hydroxy (great for the skin)
• Magnesium

It is a pleasure to introduce people to a brew that is so flavorable and healthy at the same time, a treat for young and old alike, enjoy the discovery of Rooibos yourself!

Rooibos LTD

Green tea and its components for more health

Green tea has been used in Asia for more than 4000 years, the Chinese use it for all kinds of heath benefits as a drink, condiment, food and medicine.

Why is green tea so special?

There is a very powerful anti-oxidant, just discovered in recent years, which is twice as powerful as those in red wine - catechin polypenhols, more specific the epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant and studies have shown it to inhibit growth of cancer cells. EGCG has has the ability to destroy cancer cells without harming the healthy cells surrounding them. EGCG has also shown to help lower the LDL cholesterol level, and inhibits the abnormal forming of blood clots.

These are just a few of the amazing benefits EGCG offers and research may uncover many more. Highest levels of EGCG are found in Green tea, although it is found in Black and Oolong tea too, The way green tea is processed makes it more valuable in regards to its anti-oxidant properties. Green tea leaves are steamed, thus preventing the EGCG compond from oxidizing. Black and Oolong tea leaves are fermented, which transforms the EGCG into other lesser effective cancer and immune boosting componds.

Green tea fights cancer cells