Green tea, prized by many generations in China, Japan and even in Britain, has become very famous in the United States, where many people take it daily for the health benefits associated with it. We want people in India to use it and stay healthy.
However, although green tea is recognized as an abundant source of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol-catechin and other antioxidants, not all green teas are created in the same way.
If you drink green tea in the hope of increasing your antioxidant levels, you should know that some brands contain very few, while others contain significant amounts of lead.
EGCG is easily one of the most famous compounds in green tea. As one of the most powerful antioxidants, the benefits that EGCG provides to health care: lower risk of heart attack, stroke, glaucoma, high cholesterol and more. Several studies have also found that EGCG can improve exercise performance, increase fat oxidation and may help prevent obesity, as it is known to have a regulatory effect on fat metabolism.
If you drink green tea, you probably assume you are getting a healthy amount of EGCG in each cup, however, recent research shows that this is not necessarily the case. An analysis conducted by ConsumerLab.com on the intensity and purity of more than 20 green tea products found that the levels of EGCG in bottled green tea can range from only 4 milligrams (mg) per cup to 47 mg, while the green tea for infusion (in bag), loose or in K-cup) contains levels between 25 mg and 86 per serving.1
One variety, the bottled diet with Snapple green tea, supposedly contains almost no EGCG, while the green tea with honey Honest Tea contains only about 60 per cent of the 190 mg of catechins listed on the label.2 The additives for sugars or artificial sweeteners are also common in bottled tea brands.
This Type of Green Tea Contains the Largest Amount of Antioxidants
Green tea prepared with loose tea leaves seemed to offer the most potent source of antioxidants, such as EGCG. The Teavana variety contains 250 mg of catechins per serving; Green tea in bags of brands such as Lipton and Bigelow contains lower levels, however, they represent a more affordable alternative.
The different brands of tea also varied significantly in the amount of caffeine contained in their products. While some contain virtually nothing, others contain 86 mg per serving, which is similar to the amount of caffeine in a regular cup of coffee.
A green tea supplement even contains 130 mg of caffeine in a single capsule, which is more than what is found in a cup of coffee! But higher levels of antioxidants is just one of the reasons why you may prefer loose tea instead of bagged tea.
Some Tea Bags Can Release Components Harmful to Health in Your Tea
Some tea bags are made with synthetic polymers, such as nylon, thermoplastic, PVC or polypropylene. While these compounds have high melting points, the temperature at which the molecules of the polymers begin to break is always lower than the melting point, which could allow the bags to soak in boiling water to release in their tea. unknown compounds that could be harmful to health.
Tea paper bags could also be problematic, as they are often treated with epichlorohydrin, which is hydrolysed in 3-MCPD upon contact with water. 3-MCPD is a carcinogen associated with the processing of food and has been linked to infertility and the suppression of immune function. I recommend buying tea from producers who can certify that their tea bags do not contain epichlorohydrin, and avoid plastic tea bags. Alternatively, you can choose loose tea leaves.
What do the Investigations on Drinking Tea Say?
High-quality tea has a large number of benefits that offer health, which respond to the type. In addition to Matcha tea, which is a powerful herbal adaptogen that provides important therapeutic benefits. In addition, there is increasing evidence that polyphenols in tea, such as EGCG and many others, can protect against cancer. Beyond this, the properties of tea are:
Neutralize the effects of harmful fats and oils on the body
They inhibit bacteria and viruses
Improve digestion
Protects against oxidation of the brain and liver
Help to have healthy gums
How to Prepare a Perfect Tea Cup with Loose Leaves
Choosing high-quality tea is extremely important. As the ConsumerLab.com analysis showed, the type of tea you buy can make a big difference in the number of beneficial antioxidants it contains, with loose leaf teas providing the most of these. Preparing tea with loose leaves is an art, but once you find "the exact point" you probably do not want to drink tea in a bag again. Here are some recommendations to prepare the "perfect" cup of tea:
Put water to boil in a teapot (avoid using a non-stick cooker, as it can release harmful chemicals when heated)
Preheat your teapot or cup to prevent the water from cooling quickly after being transferred. Simply add a small amount of boiling water to the teapot or cup to the height where the tea will be soaked. Ceramic and porcelain keep the heat well. Then, cover the teapot or cup with a lid. Use a tea towel if you have one, or cover it with a towel. Let it rest until it is lukewarm, then remove the water
Put the tea in an infuser, filter, or place the tea leaves in the teapot. If you soak the tea without an infuser or filter it will have more flavour. Start with one heaping teaspoon per cup, or follow the package instructions. The flavour can be strong or lighter when using a greater or lesser amount of tea
Add the boiling water. Use the right amount of water for the amount of tea. The ideal temperature of the water varies according to the type of tea that it is going to prepare:
White or green tea (whole leaf): Below the boiling point (170-185 ° F or 76-85 ° C). Once the water comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and let it cool for 30 seconds for white tea and 60 seconds for green tea before pouring it into the leaves
Oolongs (whole leaf): 185-210 ° F or 85-98 ° C
Black teas (whole leaf) and Pu-hers: Complete boiling (212 ° F or 100 °)
Use a tea towel or cover with a towel and let it soak. Follow the instructions on the preparation of the infusion in the package. If you do not have them, here are some general recommendations for preparing the infusion. Try it constantly, since you will want it to taste but not be bitter:
Oolong teas: 4-7 minutes
Black teas: 3-5 minutes
Green teas: 2-3 minutes
Once you have the right flavour you should remove the filter or infuser. If you used the loose leaves, serve the tea in a cup using a sieve and serve the rest in another container (cover with a tea-basket to keep the heat).
Do you feel motivated to make healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle this year? Commit yourself to your health goals and achieve lasting success with the help of my 30 best health tips of all time.
These strategies to achieve optimal wellness are ideal for everyone - from healthy people with good physical fitness who want to stay in top shape, to those who have recently embarked on their journey to optimal health. These tips, which were compiled from some of the most viewed Mercola articles in history, include:
The importance of vitamin D and magnesium (and how to increase the levels of these nutrients)
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And much more! Every week you will receive a piece of new advice, health tips or news so, stay tuned!
