"Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one."  (Ancient Chinese Proverb)

   There seems to be boundless benefits to drinking green tea.  High on my list of reasons would be that of it's anti-cancer effect. 

   Green tea is rich in catechins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).  These are powerful antioxidants which destroy free radicals.  Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can damage the body at the cellular level.  This damage leaves the body suseptible to cancer, heart disease, and other degenerative diseases.

   Green tea has been known to increase one's resistance to infection, reduce high blood pressure, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, normalize thyroid hyper function , and inhibit the ulceration and stomach mecosa bleeding induced by aspirin.  

   Combating the obesity epidemic is right up it's alley.  For green tea is a fat fighter!  Many recent studies have shown that it lessens body fat accumulation, leads to body fat reduction, thus promoting weight loss.  This wonder drink has even been known to assist in diminishing the hydrolysis of starch to glucose and help control diabetes. 

   Cardiovascular health is promoted through green tea's ability to aid in fluid balance, enhance circulation, and increase the accumulation of vitamin C.  

   It is imortant to note that green tea is most beneficial in it's brewed state and not of the decaffeinated variety.  Black and oolong teas are less beneficial due to their processing techniques.  
   
   How much should you drink?  Up to 4 or 5 cups a day.  Many believe in upwards of 10 cups, yet I like to yeild to moderation and prefer not to be "bouncing off the walls."  No adverse side effects have been reported.

   Three cheers for green tea!