Through the process of oxidation, oxygen starts the process of burning glucose and fat to provide heat and energy in the body. Although this is an inevitable and naturally occurring process which gives our bodies the energy we need; the process of oxidation creates some by-products that have negative effects to our body.

During the process of oxidation, highly reactive by-products called free radicals are produced. These free radicals act on other molecules, turning them into free radicals like themselves, thus disrupting their normal functioning. This could eventually lead to massive cell destruction, tissue damage, and even cause degenerative diseases, like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis among others.

Oxygen damage to your cells results when there are too many free radicals present inside the body. Researchers conclude that such damage may be partly responsible for the effects of aging and certain diseases.

There are certain substances in food which may play a role in protecting against this damage. Luckily, the human body comes prepared with natural defenses against these harmful free radicals.

Antioxidants are chemical substances found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants act on free radicals, pursuing them and neutralizing them in order to stop their damage on healthy cells of the body.

What are the antioxidant effects of plants? Among the many plants that have disease-fighting antioxidants is the camellia sinensis, otherwise known as the tea plant. For centuries, tea has been served in Asian households as a healthy drink to promote health and general well-being. Green tea especially has been greatly favored due its many amazing health benefits.

For centuries, green tea has been consumed throughout the ages in Asia. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, green tea has been used as a stimulant, diuretic (to promote the excretion of urine), astringent (to control bleeding and help heal wounds), and to improve heart health.

The benefits of green tea have been largely attributed to the presence of polycatechins which have potent antioxidant effects. However, besides polycatechins, there are also other ingredients in green tea that contribute to its antioxidant effects.

What are the antioxidant effects found in green tea? Among all flavonoids, catechin is ranked high for its antioxidant effects and properties. Catechin is that substance in green tea which makes the beverage an excellent source of antioxidant effects. Besides tannin, vitamins such as vitamin A (carotene), C, and E, there are also other well-known substances in green tea that gives it its antioxidant effects.

Research aimed at finding the active compounds in green tea revealed that its defensive and antioxidant effects are mainly due to catechins which are powerful polyphenolic antioxidants.

Green tea also has antioxidant effects that make them powerful anti-carcinogenic, cardioprotective, nueroprotective, and anti-microbial actions. A mostly bioactive catechin called epigallocatechin gallate has been singled out by many researchers as very important because of its antioxidant effects leading to cancer prevention.

It is therefore a good idea to drink tea for its antioxidants effects. A constant intake of antioxidants from our diet can protect against damages to our body cells which occur following oxidation. Have more cups of green tea per day and benefit from its antioxidant effects.

Julie Health
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/antioxidant-effects-of-green-tea-124127.html

Green tea has always been known to have several health benefits, but who knew that it could contribute to losing weight as well?

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that green tea extract can increase metabolism and fat oxidation of the body. In theory, scientists believe that the weight loss benefits of green tea extracts are due to their caffeine content but the results of the study show otherwise as they discovered that green tea extracts have weight loss benefits beyond that of caffeine.

In their study, the researchers administered alone the same amount of caffeine as that in tea extracts but found that it did not make any significant changes in the body’s overall energy expenditure. This led them to conclude that tea extracts have ingredients in them that actively interact with each other, promoting increased metabolism and fat oxidation that lead to loss of weight.

Further findings indicated that a certain compound found in tea full of the extracts might be the ingredient that causes weight loss. These extract compounds called Flavonoids may alter the way the body uses norepinephrine, a hormone that monitors how calories are burned. When flavonoids interact with other extract ingredients, more calories are burned thus contributing to loss of weight.

Another ingredient that actively contributes to the weight loss benefits of green tea is the compound catechin polyphenols. These compounds also interact with other extract ingredients in order to promote lossing weight by fat burning and thermogenesis (a process of losing energy by daytime heat).

The great thing about the loss of weight benefit of extracts is that it does not have any adverse side-effects. Unlike other herbal products like ephedra and prescription drugs for obesity, green extract does not increase the speed of heart rates or raise blood pressure. In this regard, tea is an effective and safer alternative to other weight loss products which may cause harm to the user.

The study conducted by the University of Geneva on the loss of weight benefit of the extract implicated that green tea can also help thyroid patients. According to dietitian Lynn Moss, M.S., R.D.,tea extracts are a healthier choice for people with thyroid who may be too sensitive to stimulants. tea can promote loss of weight by increasing metabolism without over stimulating the adrenal glands.

A common beverage all throughout Asia, healthy tea has recently gained popularity in the West. Further researches were conducted to identify other health benefits of tea extracts aside from weight loseing. It was found that certain extract compounds can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and even ulcers.

John Pawlett
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/green-tea-extract-and-weight-loss-91492.html

i get dehydrated and feel drained after sport. can anyone suggest a good recipe to quinch my thirst and rehydrate me

One quart water
juice of one lemon or lime
four teaspoons sugar
one teaspoon salt