| There is a Chinese proverb - A daily cup of tea | | | | It seems to be the epigallo catechin gallate |
| or more, keeps you out of the pharmacy. As you | | | | (EGCC) that reduces the occurrence of |
| will shortly see, there is a lot of truth in this | | | | uncontrolled DNA replication. Vitamin E is regarded |
| proverb. So, what is oolong tea? It is related to | | | | as an excellent antioxidant; EGCC is supposedly |
| green tea and black tea -- they are all produced | | | | 200 times more effective for neutralizing free |
| from the same plant. Green tea is made from the | | | | radicals in the body. Another way oolong tea may |
| dried leaves, whereas black tea is made by | | | | help fight cancer is through preventing cell |
| fermentation of the leaves. Oolong tea is made | | | | mutation. The antioxidant properties of the |
| by partly fermenting the leaves prior to | | | | polyphenols in oolong tea may inhibit mutation of |
| drying.Triglycerides and cholesterol are two | | | | the DNA in healthy cells, which can cause them to |
| important fatty substances in the bloodstream. | | | | become cancer cells.Cured meats often contain |
| These are essential for many things in your body | | | | nitrates which can be converted to nitrosamines in |
| but cholesterol also builds up on the wall of the | | | | the digestive process. Nitrosamines are known to |
| arteries, causing them to narrow and restrict | | | | be carcinogenic. Tea may block the action of |
| blood flow. This can lead to several problems | | | | nitrosamines which can cause cancer, said Dr. Han |
| including coronary thrombosis (a heart attack) and | | | | Chi, an associate professor at the Institute of |
| strokes, so high cholesterol levels are not a good | | | | Nutrition and Food Hygiene under the Chinese |
| thing. Studies in several countries have found | | | | Academy of Preventative Medicine. In a test of |
| many kinds of tea have some effect in reducing | | | | 145 types of tea, she and her colleagues rated |
| cholesterol in blood fats, though oolong seems to | | | | green tea highest, with a blocking rate of 90 |
| get the best results. It is thought that the | | | | percent. Oolong and black tea followed in that |
| polyphenols in tea inhibit the absorption of | | | | order as the fermentation process destroys the |
| cholesterol in the digestive tract, thus decreasing | | | | EGCC. The partial fermentation of the leaves |
| the cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. There is | | | | during the production of oolong tea reduces the |
| also evidence that they may decrease the blood's | | | | EGCC level by approximately fifteen percent.Long |
| tendency to form thrombi, or unwanted blood | | | | ago in China, tea was an ingredient in immortality |
| clots.Obesity is an increasing problem these days, | | | | potions favored by the Taoists. Still today, |
| it is well documented that overweight people are | | | | perhaps as an echo of those beliefs, claims are |
| more likely to suffer heart problems. In the | | | | made that tea drinking helps one to live to a ripe |
| hustle-bustle of modern living, it is easy to resort | | | | old age. While it is no magic fountain of youth, |
| to a junk diet. This is bad news for your body | | | | some of its benefits can be said to contribute to |
| because it hangs on to the extra fat and lacks | | | | longevity (stimulation of bodily functions, |
| many of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants | | | | strengthening the immune system, reducing the |
| that are vital for your well-being. The Chinese | | | | chance of heart disease and improving stomach |
| claim that tea can actually help reduce the amount | | | | functions). The fluoride in tea can strengthen |
| of fat in the tissues. Oolong tea seems to get the | | | | bones and help ward off osteoporosis in the |
| most publicity here, although any tea probably has | | | | same way that it strengthens dental enamel.When |
| some benefits. Chinese sources cite numerous | | | | pregnant or nursing only small amounts of oolong |
| cases of people who have lost weight while | | | | tea should be used, it can also interfere with MAO |
| regularly drinking two or three cups of oolong a | | | | inhibitors and blood thinning medication. Also the |
| day. Oolong mixed with other herbal ingredients is | | | | consumption of oolong tea may interfere with the |
| the basis for a number of teas marketed | | | | absorption of medicines. This article is intended to |
| especially for slimming. A Chinese ad for Slimming | | | | be for information about the nutritional benefits of |
| Tea claims that drinking it for three months can | | | | oolong tea only and should not be regarded as |
| help you drop up to 15 pounds off your weight. I | | | | medical advice in its own right. You should seek |
| am not convinced that tea alone can achieve this | | | | the assistance of a qualified physician if you |
| but it seems that it can contribute as tactic in | | | | require medical advice on any condition mentioned |
| your weight-loss strategy.Much research is being | | | | in this article.Kevin Woodward looks after the In |
| carried out on the role of tea drinking in | | | | Nature web site at which offers top quality |
| preventing cancer. For example, out of 25 papers | | | | Chinese teas and herbs for sale securely online. |
| related to health presented at the Hangzhou | | | | Memberships are available which entitles you to |
| Symposium, almost one third reported on cancer | | | | discounts on the products and a free health |
| research. Research has found that oolong has | | | | consultation, the latter is based on traditional |
| some effect against cancer because it inhibits the | | | | Chinese medicine. |
| formation or action of cancer-causing substances. | | | | |