By Hillary J Templeton
Green tea has traditionally been used by the Chinese in the treatment of various ailments. It is believed to be rich in constituents that help fight the deadliest of diseases including cancer. The major factor to be considered here is the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is believed to be a powerful antioxidant and which helps in killing cancer cells without harming the other healthy cells. Green Tea rekindles the memories and follows the three E's like Enjoyment, essential health benefits and energy thus making it one of the most popular brews.
Tea and coffee are rich in caffeine and it is for this very same reason why many favor these beverages .Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that can be quite addictive as well. Health enthusiasts have their reservations about decaffeinated green tea as they believe that the decaffeination process takes away most of the medicinal benefits that green tea boasts of.
However, research studies conducted have been able to establish that subjecting green tea to the decaffeination process does not strip it completely of all its medicinal value. However, it also depends on the process of decaffeination used. Some suggest using ethyl acetate solvent which many believe is not as effective in retaining polyphenols as the natural method which uses only water and carbon dioxide. Researchers Lynn and Christopher Freville demonstrated that natural decaffeination can be done right at home as effectively as any other process.
If you are keen on switching over to decaffeinated green tea but are unable to procure it, there are some simple steps that you can follow at home that can help you make your very own cup of decaffeinated green tea. Experts suggest steeping the tea in hot water and discarding the liquid .The process is repeated for a second time, by the end of which the caffeine content is down by about 80%.
Green tea is believed to have 60-70% lesser caffeine than normal tea. Hence switching to green tea itself will help you cut down on your caffeine intake drastically. You will also be able to enjoy the multitude of benefits that this beverage provides. Other than enjoyment, Green Tea also provides energy and vigor. It's a great drink for a lazy afternoon in the sunny climate of Solihull. In smaller doses it actually works wonder as it boosts the energy and reduces anxious feeling. During office tea breaks instead of a normal coffee or tea switch over to Green Tea, so that you are fully energized. You can also keep sipping Green Tea and even loose weight, doesn't that sound cool?
However, if you do not need any caffeine whatsoever, but would still like to utilize all that is good in green tea then decaffeinated green tea is a good enough option. Those who still prefer to partake of the stimulant effect that caffeine provides are able to take the cake and have it too as not only do they continue to enjoy the feeling caffeine provides but also get the opportunity to allow the other beneficial components of green tea to detoxify their systems and help them lead a healthier life.
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