Green Tea Antioxidants - How Are They Beneficial?

By Jonathan Judd


A lot of health experts are advocating fruit and veggies to be included in a daily diet. There are many good reasons to the advice; however one of the reasons is the antioxidants that almost all veggies and fruits supply. However what are antioxidants? Why are they so important?

Process of oxidation occurs in every single place from slice of potato turning brownish color to rust in a machine. This is a normal activity which also exists in a body. Human body usually controls oxidation well, but at times it causes cell damage. The damaged cells are known as free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electron. Because it is unpaired, it will attempt to take an electron from another molecule. Once this action gets intense, it may lead to numerous health problems most notably cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Pollution, radiation and cigarette smoke are a factor in the growth of free radicals as well. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals.

By offering the missing electron to free radicals, antioxidants prevent cell damage. It is very important to consume nutrients that give antioxidants daily to live in a healthy condition. Lots of vegetables and fruits make the perfect source of antioxidants because of vitamins E and C. The vitamins are known to be among the best antioxidants. Vegetables and fruit like strawberry, kiwi, papaya, spinach, bell pepper, and broccoli are a good source of vitamin C and E. But these vitamins are not the only source of antioxidants and in reality they are not the best source.

Increasingly more health experts agree with the fact that Epigallocatechin or also known as EGCG may be a more powerful supply of antioxidants than vitamins E and C. A large number of research workers agree that EGCG is 100 times more beneficial than vitamin C and 25 times more efficient than vitamin E in reducing free radicals. EGCG is an element found in green tea. Most of the recognized green tea positive effects include preventions against cancer, gaining weight, LDL cholesterol, depression and heart problems.

There were a lot of clinical studies about the effects of green tea on cancer cells. The end results indicate the serving of 300mg of EGCG daily to be the most ideal amount. A cup provides about 100mg of EGCG. Far more case studies are in the process, but for now 3 cups per day is an ideal amount.

There are a number of methods to consume green tea. Conventional way is to brew and to drink the tea. This is great way particularly when consumed while eating meals. One other common way is to add tea powder to water. Mixing lemon juice with EGCG has been known to improve the health rewards. A simple way is to consume green tea capsules. This is good for folks disliking the taste.




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