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Tea
has been used as a health-promoting beverage for over 5,000 years.
Modern research is now confirming tea’s extensive range of health
benefits such as increased metabolism and energy levels, antioxidant
protection, and cardiovascular and cellular health.* The source of
these benefits is the phytonutrient-rich leaves, which naturally
contain many health positive characteristics, including polyphenols,
catechins (especially EGCG - an antioxidant that is about 25-100 times
more potent than vitamins C and E), L-theanine and caffeine.
Three of the most health-beneficial tea extracts come from Organic
White Tea, Organic Green Tea from minimally-processed Camellia leaves,
and Organic Black Tea derived from a delicate fermentation process.
Here’s the scoop on these three teas and where you can find them.
White Tea
White tea is made from new growth buds of the Camellia sinensis
plant that are covered with little silver hairs giving the young leaves
a white appearance. These young leaves are then steamed or fried to
preserve the powerful antioxidants from oxidation and maintain high
concentrations of catechins. White tea involves the least amount of
processing.
Sophisticated processing techniques of the Camellia sinensis plant,
which teas are made from, led to green tea, which are steamed and/or
dried, and black teas, which are fermented.
Green Tea
Green tea is made from more mature Camellia sinensis leaves than
white tea. Quality green tea contains high amounts polyphenols and
powerful antioxidant catechins. Of all the antioxidants known to
mankind, some scientists believe the components of green tea are the
most potent.
Black Tea
Black tea is generally stronger in flavor and retains its flavor for
several years. Black tea leaves undergo a crushing and fermenting
process. Because of its durability, black tea has long been an article
of trade. It also contains more caffeine than white and green teas. In
China, black tea is known as red tea, which is a more accurate
description of the color of the liquid.
Liquid or Capsule?
In 2004, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at
whether body's absorption of polyphenols is affected by drinking tea or
taking tea extract supplements. The study by researcher Susanne M.
Henning, with the Center for Human Nutrition at the David Geffen School
of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles examined
absorption of liquid green or black tea, and green tea extract
supplements in a group of 30 healthy men and women under the age of 40.
For a week at a time, each person was assigned to either drinking green
tea, drinking black tea, or taking green tea extract supplements. Even
though liquid black and green teas had more polyphenols to start than
the supplements and overall antioxidant activity over eight hours was
low, her study found that green tea supplements produced the highest
levels of antioxidants in the blood compared with liquid black or green
tea. A great source of these are available in a superior product supplied by a company "Garden of Life". Available at all Health Hut locations and other higher quality Natural Food Stores.
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