Green Tea....

  • Ok if anyone knows the answer, please let me know..

    I am going to try to research it....

    How much green tea should or can be consumed per day?
    I drink two to three glasses a day and am not sure what is norm?

    Thanks in advance
  • Do you want to know how much is ok to drink, or how much to drink for a certain condition?

    I've been readiing into green tea because I read on another thread that somebody was drinking it to alleviate menopause symptoms ( I just had my ovaries removed 3 weeks ago).

    I found this article about it - it says that Japanese men drink 10 cups a day to prevent cancer, but on the average 4-5 cups a day is good as an antioxidant. I don't know about for any other purposes.

    http://chinesefood.about.com/library.../aa011400b.htm

    Hope this helps! I have a box of it waiting on me to brew. I've never had it. Do you like it, or is it just 'bearable'? My favorite tea is Ceslestial Seasonings Madagascar Red Vanilla. MMM.

    QUESTION: Does anybody know if Green Tea still has its healthy properties if it is decaffeinated? Is any of it lost in the process? I don't drink caffeine normally. A few cups of this a day would send me up a tree!
  • And for those of you not interested in how much to drink, but how to make it, this is from that same link I listed above - good info!

    How to Brew a Cup of Green Tea

    Producing the perfect cup of green tea is a tricky process. If not handled properly, those same polyphenols that provide health benefits can ruin the flavor, making the tea taste "gassy." It's particularly important not to overbrew. While it's best to follow the manufacturer's instructions for each variety of green tea, here are some general instructions:

    Use one tea bag, or 2 - 4 grams of tea,* per cup.
    Fill a kettle with cold water and bring to a boil.
    After unplugging the kettle, allow it to stand for up to 3 minutes.
    Pour the heated water over the tea bag or tea, and allow it to steep for up to 3 minutes. If using a tea bag, remove the bag.
    Allow the tea to cool for three more minutes.
    *One to two teaspoons, depending on the variety of green tea you are brewing.
  • Jennifer,
    Thanks for addressing this for me.

    I have always been curious on how much is considered norm. I drink it b/c I know it is a diuretic but I have also learned it it helps lower blood pressure and I need that!

    In the article I am reading on it says the caffeine acts as the diuretic.

    I actually really like it! You can buy it reg, caffeine free, or mixed. I put splenda in mine to sweeten it.

    Here is the health effects and the link where I found it

    http://www.daisan.co.jp/table1.htm

    The Components and Healthy Effects of Green Tea
    Components of Green Tea Healthy Effects

    Catechins
    (Main component):
    Reduces incidence of cancer
    Reduces tumors
    Reduces mutations
    Reduces oxidation by active
    oxygen
    Lowers blood cholesterol
    Inhibits increase of blood pressure
    Inhibits increase of blood sugar
    Kills bacteria
    Kills influenza virus
    Fights cariogenic bacteria
    Prevents halitosis

    Caffeine :Stimulates wakefulness
    (removes fatigue and sleepiness)
    Acts as diuretic

    Vitamin C:Reduces stress
    Prevents flu

    Vitamin B Complex:Aids carbohydrate metabolism

    r-Amino Butyric Acid
    (GABA):
    Lowers blood pressure

    Flavonoids:Strengthen blood vessel walls
    Prevents halitosis

    Polysaccharides:Lowers blood sugar

    Fluoride:Prevents cavities

    Vitamin E:
    Acts as antioxidant and regulates aging

    Theanine:
    (a kind of amino acid)

    Gives green tea its delicious taste
  • Interesting! It doesn't say anything about menopause symptoms....maybe the post I read was talking about menopause and something else...

    It has flouride in it? Interesting. I wonder if all has it or just this brand. I try not to ingest any more flouride than necessary.
  • Hmmmmm..... Jennifer now you have me curious.... LOL

    Let me go check my lipton........ lol

    Hmmmmm...... the package just says 100% Natural Green Tea
    Naturally Decaffeinated so I am not sure about the flouride.

    That is a very curious point though about the flouride.
  • I found green tea a while ago. I don't like the bitterness of the plain do I have the flavoured varieties:

    Jasmine
    Lemongrass
    Lotus (orange)
    Earl Grey
    Mint
    Lemon

    I also found South Afrcian Red Bush Tea and would highly recommned it for taste. I found some research for you all:

    "Rooibos Tea (Red Tea) Comparable to Green Tea

    Scientific studies from South Africa and Japan confirm findings of potent antioxidants in an indigenous herb tea from the Southwestern Cape region of South Africa. Called rooibos (roy-boss), this red tea is the only other tea in the world which undergoes a fermentation process like black tea. Fermentation turns the leaves of rooibos from green to a deep red color and gives it a slightly sweet note with a deep body.

    Studies show that rooibos contains comparable amounts of polyphenols to green tea and shows anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity. Rooibos, unlike black and green tea is completely caffeine-free.
    -- Healthy & Natural, Vol. 7, Issue 5

    Rooibos tea is great for skin!
    Preliminary findings suggest that when rooibos is applied topically, it can be a beauty-enhancer. Almost 70% of acne sufferers in one study reported clearer skin when they applied it twice a day for several weeks.

    Experts recommend brewing a cup of the tea, cooling it and applying to the face with a cotton ball once or twice a day. No rinsing is necessary, and the tea will not stain the skin.
    -- Woman's World, March 27, 2001"


    Here in the UK it is sold as Red Bush in supermarkets and Rooibus in health food shops at an amazing mark up. So don't be fooled they are the same thing.
  • Stef,

    Thanks for the info
  • Gunpowder flavour is cool.
  • Once on a talk show I saw that woman with red hair that is on West Wing. She said that on advice from her trainer she drinks 3 cups a day of green tea because it burns 60 calories a day for annual weight loss of 7 pounds a year.