Did you know that the green tea caffeine content can be as high
as what is found in black teas? Sources vary concerning the actual
amount that a cup contains, but according to the Mayo Clinic, green teas
contain between 10 and 40mg per cup. The black ones contain about 40.
The
things that black teas lack are antioxidants. The heat and humidity
used to process the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, from which
these types of teas are derived, turn the leaves black. The process is
called fermentation, although it is not actually a fermenting process.
Something about the process reduces the antioxidant content.
The
leaves that are to be used for green teas are not fermented. There are a
number of different variations of the plants. They are grown
commercially in China, Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Kashmir.
The
highest green tea caffeine content is found in the variety called Jade
Dew. Grown in Japan, it is considered the highest grade. When
prepared, a Jade Dew infusion is typically 16% caffeine. Many varieties
are only 2-4%. If an eight ounce cup of a variety on the low end of
the spectrum contained 10mg, then the high end could go up to 80mg.
One
of the reasons that estimates vary concerning the green tea caffeine
content may be simple for you to understand. Growing conditions affect
all of the compounds present in a plant. The longer a plant is allowed
to grow, the more nutrients it will absorb from the soil and the more
antioxidants it will create for protection. So, not only does the
caffeine-content vary, the antioxidant-content varies, as well.
The
antioxidants that are found in the camellia sinensis plant are unique.
So far, they have only been found in camellia sinensis and some species
of the cocoa plant. The antioxidants may explain why many areas of
Asia have a lower incidence of heart disease, despite a high incidence
of cigarette smoking. On the other hand, they might not.
Claims
of health benefits are made for all of the single ingredient supplements
that you see on the market. Lately, we are seeing the claims appear on
a variety of foods, as well. Are cheerios good for your heart? Is it
the green tea caffeine content that provides the health benefits or is
it the antioxidants?
Researchers are likely to debate these
subjects for years. At one time, cigarette companies claimed that
smoking was good for your health and would help you lose weight. Now,
we know better.
I believe that the best thing that we can do is to
strive to avoid known carcinogens (such as those found in cigarette
smoke), eat the highest quality most natural foods (such as organic) and
take a multi-nutritional supplement that contains all natural
ingredients that our bodies need.
If you are concerned about the
green tea caffeine content, the better supplements that contain the
extract provide only traces of the stimulant, but lots of the
antioxidants. That's my pick. If you have two minutes to spare, please
take a look at my website now.
Gordon Hall is fervent about enabling you and everyone to live a
healthy lifestyle, and is an ardent reviewer of herbal, vitamin and
mineral extracts. To discover which supplements Gordon recommends after
far ranging and extensive research. Visit his website now at : http://www.your-supplement-resource-site.info
