Green Tea - Catechins

Next to water, the herbal preparation green tea is the most popular drink in the world, and so it should be considering its health giving properties. It has been used, as a herbal treatment for ages past, in India and China due to containing catechins. They are flavonoids phytochemical compounds considered beneficial to health.

Green Tea Catechin Compounds

There are four green tea catechin compounds namely, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate. Catechins are not confined to green tea but can also be found in grapes, wine and chocolate.

Catechins are thought to be useful in preventing cancer and heart disease. The catechins in green tea have good anti-oxidant properties to combat free radicals.

Black tea, which is more common in western countries, also contains catechins, but not in anything like such quantity as unfermented green tea. For this reason black tea drinkers would be well advised to switch to green tea.

Green Tea and Free Radicals

There are many serious diseases related to damage caused by free radicals. Chronic afflictions, including heart disease, cancer, premature aging and others may be due to free radicals. Therefore,  the herbal preparation green tea with its first class anti oxidant properties is a splendid health benefit as it helps to shield the body from free radical onslaught.

It is believed that the tea catechins, known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), can inhibit the development of cancer cells. If green tea is able to assist in protecting you against tumors that seems more than sufficient reason for including it as part of a healthy diet.

Green Tea and the Immune System

Catechins are thought to be effective against blood clotting, and strengthening the immune system. Green tea is the primary source of catechins, and is universally available from health stores and other outlets. In our modern world it is not always easy to know what to do to protect your health. Natural preparations, such as green tea, that have been widely used since earlier times are still available, and for that we should be thankful.