| ea is no longer a mystical beverage only available in | | | | Yojoki) in 1191, which promoted the positive effects |
| trendy cafes and specialist shops. In fact, today its | | | | of green tea on the body, most notably, vital organs |
| popularity is so vast that it can be found in abundant | | | | such as the heart and brain. |
| variety on supermarket shelves and even alongside | | | | In more recent years, many of these claims have |
| cappuccinos in coffee vending machines. So what led | | | | been proven scientifically. In the so called war |
| to this popularity, and why is green teas reputation | | | | against obesity in the UK, Birmingham University has |
| more squeaky clean than a standard brew? | | | | found that green tea promotes the rate of fat |
| The history of green tea stems back as far as | | | | oxidation by 17 percent. Similarly, the American |
| traditional consumption to China in around 2000bc. By | | | | Association for Cancer Research used Polyphenon E |
| the 12th Century it had begun to spread across the | | | | (a green tea property) in tests on rats and found |
| continent to Japan with the travels of Japanese | | | | that just under half of those tested were as likely to |
| Buddhist Priest MyMan Eisai; and onward to India and | | | | develop colon cancer. |
| Thailand thereafter. The drinking of green tea in | | | | Similarly, green tea has also increased in its popularity |
| Japan has since become more part of everyday life | | | | due to its lack of the stimulant caffeine and its |
| and is considered in a similar manner to which black | | | | calming properties because of this. Although black tea |
| tea is in the west with varying quality and price | | | | and coffee are well-known for their caffeine content |
| differences. | | | | ranging anywhere between 30 and 100 milligrams, on |
| All tea has been subject to extensive research | | | | average green tea contains about 70 percent less |
| regarding health benefits, but whilst black teas have | | | | and so is less likely to lead to a dependence |
| been scientifically proven to lower coronary artery | | | | (caffeinism). Additionally, there are many ways that |
| disease, the positive effects of green teas have long | | | | green tea research is set to explore new further |
| been regarded as diverse and far reaching. In further | | | | benefits, such as fighting LDL Cholesterol and |
| active promotion, Eisai wrote Book of Tea (Kissa | | | | stopping Parkinsons Disease. |