Going green inside out

The world had always admired the Japanese for their ever youthful looking complexion and also their low cancer rates.
So what is the secret?
Sushi?
Perhaps.. but the most significant key to these statistics is in the tea they always drink.

Green tea.


Green tea or scientifically known as Camellia sinensis possesses numeral chemical composition which gives humans a lot of benefits. Green tea extracts are now infused with other products to enhance its chemical benefits. Green tea contains polyphenols and flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, and proanthocyanidins). It also contains minor traces of caffeine, theanine , lignin , organic acids, protein and chlorophyll.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most significant active compound in green teas.

EGCG is a polyphenol which have benzene rings with -OH attachments.

How does EGCG help us?

Firstly, EGCG are able to produce a healthy, youthful skin by triggering the old skin cells to reactivate and divide.

So instead of having lots of wrinkles and dull spots, we have a more radiant, youthful look, thanks to the chemical properties of EGCG. There are even proven researches of using EGCG extracted from green teas to cure scars and skin diseases.

Besides that, it is proven that EGCG in green tea can even help in weight loss. EGCG in green teas increases the body's metabolism and also triggers a certain hormone so as to prevent digestion of certain carbohydrates which converts to fats later on. This would also mean that EGCG helps to burn certain fats in your body and reduce your body weight.
EGCG extracts are slowly becoming weight loss supplements in the market.

Last but not least, EGCG in green teas are proven to lower the risk of heart attacks and various cancer. EGCG shows antioxidant properties which helps in preventing atherosclerosis and supressing cancerous cells.
According to Japanese research, green tea reduces the levels of LDL or also known as 'bad' blood cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
European studies have found that regular consumption of tea protects against heart disease, with one study documenting that the risk was 36 per cent lower for tea drinkers. It is believed that the polyphenols in tea help prevent arthrosclerosis.
EGCG also blocks the formation of cancer-causing compounds such as nitrosamines, suppresses the activation of carcinogens, and detoxifies and traps cancer-causing agents.
The EGCG stops cancer cells from growing by binding with an enzyme, called dihydrofolate reductase, in the body.
It is a popular custom in Japan to drink green tea with meals. This is why cancer rates in Japan are lower compared to other countries.

The benefits of green tea does not stop here.


There are many researches done in order to fully utilize the benefits of the various chemical compounds in green tea, especially EGCG.
What are you waiting for? Start the practice of drinking green tea for your health benefits. Grab a cuppa =)

Be it hot or cold. Traditional or modern.

Or even in food products.
The world has acknowledged the chemical benefits of green tea =)