Green tea has been relished by people in China and Japan for centuries; it has become more widely known and appreciated in the West over time.

A lot of people know that Green tea can be very beneficial to health but few understand the exact reasons why.

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that help to prevent cancers. Evidence suggested that enjoying Green tea regularly as part of your everyday diet can help reduce the risks of colon, pancreas, rectum, stomach and bladder cancer by up to an impressive 60%. The main antioxidant that is found in Green tea; Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG as it is also referred to) has 100% more antioxidant power than vitamin C and up to 25% more effectual at protecting the cells from harmful influences. Additionally, not only does EGCG inhibit the growth of new cancer cells forming, it also helps to eradicate the existing cancer cells and leaving the healthy cells intact.

Green tea lowers the bad cholesterol (LDL) in our bodies and balances the level of good cholesterol (HDL). This explains why tea drinkers can eat a large amount of cholesterol and still have an equally balanced cholesterol count. It can help to stop blood clots from forming which would inevitably lead to thrombosis, this is of greater importance if you take into consideration that this is one of the main causes of heart attacks and strokes.

It reduces high blood pressure but suppressing angio-tension which causes the blood vessels to constrict which causes high blood pressure. Green tea effectively lowers blood sugar, (Polyphenols and polysaccharides being the main two antioxidants that are most effective at lowering blood sugar). It helps to prevent and alleviate symptoms of type-two diabetes.

Green tea protects the liver against harmful toxins, chemicals in cigarette smoke and alcohol to name examples.

It is ideal for maintaining good oral health as it suppresses the build up of plaque formation and destroys the bacteria that can cause bad breath.

Green Tea also aids the prevention of free radicals from ageing you prematurely and gives your immune system a boost due to the high concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids.

Green tea has been shown to possess antiviral and antibacterial properties. Studies conducted have shown Green tea halts the spread of disease and quickens ones recovery from cold and flu viruses. It also combats seven strains of food poisoning including botulism, staphylococcus and clostridium.

Green tea helps to stop dehydration by helping your body to maintain a healthy balance of fluid; it also relieves stress and fatigue which is often caused by dehydration. It also helps to stimulate the metabolism, give the calorie burning a boost and is commonly used as a key element in a healthy diet.

Black tea comes from the same plant as green tea but it will not give you the exact same benefits as during fermentation, a lot of its medical benefits are lost.

That said, tea in any form is still beneficial to health just that some are more so than others. The best way to preserve the nutrition of tea is to drink it freshly brewed, without sugar or milk and to let the tea brew about 4-5 before consuming it.