Posted on 09/13/2006 4:53:13 AM PDT by Mark Felton
Drinking green tea can substantially cut the risk of dying from a range of illnesses, a Japanese study has found.
The research, which looked at over 40,000 people, found the risk of fatal cardiovascular disease was cut by more than a quarter.
But British heart experts said the benefits may be linked to the whole Japanese diet, which is healthier than that eaten in the west.
The work is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
It is questionable whether drinking the same amount of green tea a day in the UK would have a significant impact on levels of heart disease Ellen Mason, British Heart Foundation
Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, aside from water.
Three billion kilograms of tea are produced each year worldwide.
Studies carried out in laboratories and on animals have suggested green tea in particular has extensive health benefits.
Women 'greater benefit'
In this study, which began in 1994, researchers from Tohoku University, looked at how humans could benefit.
They examined data on 40,530 healthy adults aged 40 to 79 in north-eastern Japan, where green tea is widely consumed.
Around 80% of people in the region drink green tea, with more than half consuming three or more cups each day.
The people in the study were followed for up to 11 years (1995-2005), when 4,209 people died from all causes.
The researchers also looked at seven years' worth of data (from 1995-2001) to look at deaths from specific causes,
In that period, 892 people died of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 1,134 participants died of cancer.
Compared with people who drank less than one cup per day of green tea, those who consumed five or more had a 16% lower risk of dying from any cause during the 11-year study.
They also had a 26% lower risk of dying from CVD in the seven years of follow-up.
There was no significant association between green tea consumption and death from cancer.
Throughout the study, the benefits of green tea appeared greater in women.
Those who drank five cups or more of green tea each day had a 31% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with those who had less than one.
But the study failed to find a beneficial link between drinking black or oolong tea and a reduced risk of dying from CVD.
'Low disease rate'
Dr Shinichi Kuriyama, who led the research, said: "The most important finding is that green tea may prolong people's lives through reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease."
But Ellen Mason, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation said the Japanese diet as a whole was particularly healthy, and the findings may not apply to people eating western diets.
"The rate of heart disease in Japan is already one of the lowest in the world, and the Japanese diet is believed to play a substantial role in keeping this low.
"Drinking 3-4 cups of green tea in parts of Japan is a daily habit."
"The average British diet contains more saturated fat than the average Japanese diet, and our levels of heart disease are relatively high compared to many other countries in the world.
"It is questionable whether drinking the same amount of green tea a day in the UK would have a significant impact on levels of heart disease."
She added: "Clinical trials are now needed to discover whether something as simple as green tea really can prevent deaths from heart disease."
I'm certain that you do. My kid would have been a dainty sorority girl if she hadn't taken the Queen's schilling.
Regular coffee and tea is already roasted. Green tea is not. I don't have all the chemistry on-hand but the upshot is the first minute or two releases the best of the tea and additional steeping gets further into the tea leaves and releases bitter-tasting chemicals.
If you use good hot but not boiling water, and only steep for 1-2 minutes, you should get a sweet-tasting tea, not bitter. Even grocery store (Meijer, here) green tea suffices; it's not necessary to go buy some ridiculously expensive tea.
I don't think you really steep coffee for 5 minutes unless you leave it in one of those french press things? Normally the water drips through the coffee and that's the last the water sees of the grounds. Percolators, I think, recycle the water through the grounds ... but I always found percolated coffee very bitter, at least if it's been perking for a couple hours (!)
There are good health benefits to burnt, er, regular tea (less than green). Even coffee has its benefits (lower diabetes risk, less risk of colon cancer, improved cognitive function (duh), less risk of Parkinson's, physical endurance) -- in moderation!
No need to panic and go vegan health nut, just live sanely - that's my non-medical opinion.
Looked over the website. Thanks for the info. Will contact you soon.
One caution....tea, especially green, is high in oxalates. Those prone to kidney stones should be careful.
our girls are each different, mine isn't a warrior and not inclined to be a sorority girl, and i think she does just fine. we are all proud of our kids : )
Consider adding oatmeal to your diet. Over a year ago my cholesterol was high and I began eating oatmeal as recommended by a naturopathic physician I was seeing. I even add a small amount of butter and whole milk to mine and I have seen my cholesterol drop to 146 in the year I have been eating it every morning. I am also drinking green tea, however, I can't stand the taste so I add another tea bag to flavor the green tea. My cholesterol was 220 last year when I began this. It's 146 now and I don't take any drugs.
I'm not just proud of my own, I'm proud of both of yours.
I love green tea, and so this is even better news.
My 15yr old son is 6'4", 295lbs LOL. he is athletic. (he is built like a bear, not a roly poly). He weightlifts and sprints and yes, he's a great football player.
Ping of interest
LOL...but think...how gross would it be to have taste buds in your anus?
uuuggghhhhhhhh
Dang, how do you feed a boy that big! ;^) Compared to your son I'd have to call my son Shrimpy.
Please don't use posts as advertisement...
LOL. It ain't the food it's Texas.
(When he is in his pads and helmet, eyes bloodshot, face red and dripping sweat he looks mean as a bull, scary as heck. LOL)
As we are proud of your's. Go AirForce : )
Oh MY GOD! that is one gi-normous kid! mine is smaller, but then he plays ice hockey : ) dang my son's HS team could use YOUR son in the net. he wouldn't have to do much but just stand there and let the pucks bounce off him!
Sorry CJ, I almost missed your comment. That was very sweet, thank you, and best wishes to your daughter.
Not a good idea to send kids with sticks descending on my son...at least, not a good idea for them. LOL
good defensemen keep the kids with sticks away from the goalie, the goalie's job is to block the little puck from going in around him. your guy would not have to move much to keep the puck out.
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