ABSTRACT
Tea is an infusion made by steeping processed leaves, buds or twigs of tea bush, Camellia sinensis. Commendable research on green tea is going on around the world to find its applications in various areas of health care. Various systematic studies carried out on green tea have depicted promising results. Several epidemiological studies as well as studies in rodent and in vitro models have shown that green tea and its main polyphenol, epigallocatechin gallate, can provide protection against various malignancies including skin, breast, prostate, lung, colon, liver, stomach, and other types of cancers. Green tea has three major components which can promote fat reduction. These components are catechins, caffeine, and theanine which can inhibit gastric and pancreatic lipase, enzymes that digest and stores fat in a form that's healthy for the human body. Epidemiologic studies suggested that tea polyphenols that can be derived from black and green tea may protect against cardiovascular diseases.
