The green tea magic

Nov 02, 2017

Green tea, native to China and India, has been hailed for its health benefits for centuries

HEALTH | GREEN TEA

lf you travel up country very often, you have certainly encountered a man or woman selling green tea on the bus.

This man will enter the bus and tell you about the need to cleanse your body with green tea.

But most of the time, we are pre-occupied with the journey and tend to ignore the people that are talking to us on the bus.

Green tea, native to China and India, has been consumed and hailed for its health benefits for centuries globally, but has only recently gained popularity here in Uganda. More and more people are selling local green tea beverages.

Dr. Grace Nambatya Kyeyune, a nutritionist, says that green tea can be anything that is green, for instance peppermint, locally known as Mujaaja is the most commonly used type of green tea.

Although pepper mint is mostly used as a tea spice, it can stand as a tea on its own if it is sun dried and kept green.

"Green tea detoxifies the body by converting acidity into alkalinity," she says, adding that the tea eases menstrual cramping and reduces swelling in gums.

She advises breastfeeding mothers to take green tea as often as they take ordinary tea, since it also helps them produce more milk.

PIC: Green tea is said to increase milk production



Cleansing properties
Like any other tea, green tea can be taken at any time of the day or night.

It is loaded with natural polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins, which according to Dr. Jamiru Mpiima, a nutritionist, act as anti-oxidants.

These substances can reduce the formation of the radicals in the body, protecting cells and molecules from damage," he says.

Mpiima adds that  these radicals are known to play are role in weight loss, aging and all sorts  of diseases, including cancer.

He also says that  green tea helps to lower cholesterol levels and boosts metabolism, reducing the chances of heart disease.

The flavonoids found in green tea are beneficial anti-oxidants, which help prevent  the body from free radical damage...Free radicals  are a natural byproduct of healthy  cell metabolism, which causes cell disruption and ageing if left  to their  own devices," he says.

Longevity
Green tea is synonymous with the Chinese, and it is said that it is the reason they live longer.

China is one of the places in the world with the oldest life expectancy. Men live up to 79 years old, while women live little longer, over 85 years. According to Dr. Yang Tu of Chinese Clinic in Bugolobi, the Chinese drink a lot of tea on a daily basis. "Those who drink five or more cups of green tea a day are 16% less likely to die from any cause that those who drink less than one cup a day," he says.

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PIC: Green tea is said to be the secret to longevity among the Chinese



Facts about green tea
1. Depression: Theanine  is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves.It is this  substance that  is thought  to provide a relaxing and tranquillising effect  and be a great benefit  to tea drinkers.

2. Tooth Decay: Studies suggest that the chemical antioxidant "catechin" in tea can destroy bacteria  and viruses  that  cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions.

3. Diabetes: Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after  eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.

4. Skincare: Green tea can also help with wrinkles  and the signs of aging, This is because of their  antioxidant and anti-inflammatory  activities.Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that  green tea used often reduces sun damage.

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