Green Tea — Your New Best Habit
Dr. Nina Meledandri, ND, L.Ac.
With the start of the New Year, you might be asking yourself how you can improve your health. It might not be as difficult as you think! A great deal of research shows that the path to wellness might start with a simple cup of green tea. Numerous studies demonstrate the potent health benefits of Camellia sinensis (green tea). Research shows, for instance, that regular green tea consumption corresponds to a lower incidence of prostate, breast, colon, stomach, and lung cancers1. Green tea's medicinal properties protect against abnormal cell growth and cellular oxidation, which can lead to cancer cell development. It does this by improving liver detoxification, and by fostering the repair of cellular DNA.
Studies also suggest that polyphenols in green tea may work synergistically with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, by protecting normal cells and helping kill cancer cells. Increased consumption of green tea also seems to lower the recurrence rate of stage I and stage II breast cancers.
With so many documented and suggested health benefits, drinking more green tea is one of the best new habits we can develop in the New Year. There are many varieties and flavors of green tea to choose from, so try different types until you find one you enjoy. Most importantly, select one that is organic and free from artificial colorings and flavors. This is very important, since artificial ingredients lowers the healthfulness of the tea.
We are fortunate that high quality, organic green teas are widely available in the Portland area. So take advantage of this, and enjoy the amazing flavors and medicinal properties of green tea.
1Mukhtar H, Wang ZY et al. Tea components: antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects. Prev Med. 1991; 21;351-360.
