I have been drinking Green tea ever since I heard on the radio that just 4 cups a day increases your metabolism, thus allowing you to burn calories faster without doing diddly zip or squat. Naturally I have consumed at least 4 cups day ever since. Well, why not? It’s green and Chinese and to my western sensibilities both suggest long life and good health.
Green tea is one of a number of ‘superfoods’ which, alongside goji berries, wheatgrass and blueberries (amongst others), is said to contain powerful antioxidant properties which are fantastic for the body and health. It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat conditions ranging from headaches to depression, even cancer and Alzheimer’s. The Chinese use it in cooking too. If you get to try a green tea cookie or KitKat, you’re in for a treat!
The Camellia sinensis plant is the plant from which three types of tea derive, green, black and Oolong. Each tea is produced using different methods; the leaves are steamed to produce green tea and fermented to produce black and Oolong. The British Dietetic Association (BDA) and the NHS Livewell site examined the health claims made about green tea which contains B vitamins, manganese, naturally occurring folic acid, (folate), potassium, magnesium, caffeine and other powerful antioxidants such as catechin.