December 1, 2017
Food as Medicine – The Health Benefits of Green Tea
I had the good fortune to return to Taiwan last week for a job, and to work with a local crew. In the all-encompassing bubble that remote television broadcast (my day job) tends to be, your immediate crew becomes like your family for the duration of the job. Every meal is shared and immediate contact is created, regardless of language barriers. My friend Brian Cheng, the local crew leader, also became our interpreter, especially at restaurants. He was curious about my vegan lifestyle choices, and diligently passed on my culinary requests to the locals – in restaurants, night markets, and the numerous street food stands that we encountered.
Brian and I began to talk about food choices and health. He told me that there is a strong push in Taiwan toward making changes for healthier eating. I asked about how this affected his personal choices and if he had made any changes toward healthier habits. He confided that he had made a significant change – he started drinking green tea. I asked if he noticed a difference in anything. He stopped walking and looking me straight in the eye. Yes, he said. An unequivocal yes!
Green tea has numerous proven health benefits. Firstly, it is loaded with polyphenols, like flavonoids and catechins, which function as powerful antioxidants. These substances can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage. These free radicals are known to play a role in aging and all sorts of diseases. One of the more powerful compounds in green tea is the antioxidant Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which is used to treat various diseases, and may be one of the main reasons green tea has such powerful medicinal properties.
Green tea contains more than just caffeine. It is also loaded with bioactive compounds that can have various beneficial effects on health. It also has the amino acid L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects. It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain. Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects. The combination of the two is particularly potent at improving brain function.
Cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of cells. It is one of the world’s leading causes of death. It is well known that oxidative damage contributes to the development of cancer, and that antioxidants can have a protective effect. Green tea is an excellent source of powerful antioxidants, so it makes perfect sense that it could reduce the risk of cancer, which it appears to do (especially in prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer).
Some Other Benefits Of Green Tea:
- The bioactive compounds in green tea can also have various protective effects on neurons and may reduce the risk of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the two most common neurodegenerative disorders.
- The catechins in green tea may inhibit the growth of bacteria and some viruses. This can lower the risk of infections and lead to improvements in dental health, a lower risk of cavities, and reduced bad breath.
- Green tea can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. It may also lower the risk of developing type II diabetes in the long term.
- The antioxidant properties in green tea have also been shown to decrease LDL cholesterol, as well as protect the LDL particles from oxidation, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Green tea has been shown to boost the metabolic rate and increase fat burning in the short term.
The abundant availability of green tea in Taiwan makes Brian’s choice a logical one. Approximately 80% of the world’s green tea supply is produced and harvested in neighbouring China. The accessibility in Taiwan of the leaves of this super food allows for easy maintenance and continuation of Brian’s new choice toward healthier living. The scientifically proven health properties that are present in green tea are abundant.
The meaning for the individual, as Brian stated, is simply a case of feeling better.
