Green tea is one of three types of tea that are produced in the world. Of the three types, green tea goes through the least amount of processing and is, therefore, able to maintain most of its rich antioxidants, known as polyphenols. For centuries, Chinese medicine has included green tea as one of its staples. Today, modern research is discovering that those benefits can be gained by taking green tea supplements.
Cholesterol
A human study found that people who consume green tea on a regular basis have lower cholesterol levels than those who do not. The polyphenols are believed to stop the body from absorbing as much cholesterol. By taking green tea supplements, you can still get a good dose of those valuable polyphenols.
Type 1 Diabetes
Preliminary lab studies have shown that green tea supplements may help regulate blood sugar in patients who have Type 1 diabetes, which means their bodies do not produce any insulin. The supplements may be able to stop the disease from starting or slow its development.
Metabolism
Besides polyphenols, green tea and green tea supplements also contain catechins. The combination of these two compounds is believed to increase metabolism and to assist the body in burning fat. That means green tea supplements may be a good choice for dieters.
Hepatitis
The catechins found in green tea can also be used to treat some forms of hepatitis. Hepatitis occurs when the liver becomes inflamed. High doses of catechins are required for treatment, so green tea supplements alone may not provide sufficient levels, although the research is promising. However, the supplements are more concentrated and normally contain higher amounts of catechins than just a glass of tea.
Ovarian Cancer
Green tea is believed to help a wide range of cancers, but most studies have provided inconclusive or contradictory findings. The most positive results thus far have been for ovarian cancer. Patients who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer and drank green tea daily ended up living the longest. A correlation between drinking the most tea and living the longest was also found in the study. People who take green tea supplements may also reap the same life-extending benefits.
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