Green tea is made from steamed fresh leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is usually brewed for drinking, but extracts can be taken in capsules or used in skin care products.

Many are currently using green tea and green tea extracts with hopeful benefits to assist with:

• weight loss
• lower cholesterol levels
• improve mental alertness
• protect skin from sun damage
• prevent/treat breast, stomach, and skin cancers

Despite mixed human study results, laboratory studies suggest green tea may help protect against or slow certain cancer growths. However, not enough reliable evidence available to recommend green tea for:

• weight loss
• blood cholesterol lowering
• sun damage skin protection

Studies are continuing regarding green tea’s effects and benefits on conditions such as:

• cancer
• diabetes
• heart disease
• osteoarthritis

Green tea and its extracts is considered safe when used in moderately. However, it does contain caffeine which can cause:

• nausea
• anxiety
• diarrhea
• insomnia
• irritability
• upset stomach
• frequent urination
• raise blood pressure
• irregular heart rhythms
• very high doses ~ seizures & delirium

Some evidence does suggest green tea improves mental alertness, most likely this benefit is a result of its caffeine.

Because green tea contains a small amount of vitamin K, it has the potential to make anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, less effective.

• Genmaicha, Citron, Green Tea, Jade Spring, Genmai, Bancha and Jasmine Silver Green Tea

If you are healthy overall and do not take any medications, your moderate usage of green tea may be more helpful than harmful in enhancing your good health.

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