The Chinese have known about the medicinal benefits of green tea since ancient times, using it to treat everything from headaches to depression.Green tea has been used as a medicine in China for at least 4,000 years. Green tea has always been a popular drink among Taoists. Today,research in both Asia and the west is providing evidence for the health benefits long associated with drinking green tea.
Research indicates that green tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells. There is also research indicating that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels, as well as improving the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol to bad (LDL) cholesterol. Green Tea contains EGCG which is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots. The latter takes on added importance when you consider that thrombosis (the formation of abnormal blood clots) is the leading cause of heart attacks and stroke.
Green tea can even help prevent tooth decay. Just as its bacteria-destroying abilities can help prevent food poisoning, it can also kill the bacteria that causes dental plaque.
In conclusion, drinking green tea would seem to be an excellent habit to get into.
