Scientific studies on Green Tea

The association between Green Tea consumption and Human Health has long been appreciated. In laboratories around the globe, green tea is sparking tremendous excitement as new health applications keep being discovered. Green Tea has been used for medicinal purposes in China and Japan for thousands of years. Green Tea is seen as a time tested formula for a wide variety of ailments, including different types of cancer, heart disease, and liver disease.

What studies revealed?

• A 2013 review of many studies found green tea helped in preventing a range of heart-related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure.
• In one Swiss study, MRIs revealed that people who drank green tea had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains.
• A research conducted by the American Botanical Council has found that the more green tea an elderly person drank in a day, the less likely he or she was to be depressed. 
  
• Less Studies found that Green tea can effectively help in fighting Breast cancer, Prostate cancer and Colorectal cancer, Skin cancer, Lung cancer, Esophageal cancer and Bladder cancer.
• Some studies have shown drinking 2 to 3 cups per day of green tea, when consumed without milk and sugar helps to maintain healthy circulatory system.
• Clinical studies suggest that green tea extract may boost metabolism and help burn fat. One study showed that those who consumed green tea and caffeine lost an average of 1.5 kg during a 12-week period, while sticking to their regular diet. 
• Preliminary studies suggest that drinking green tea can help prevent dental cavities.
• Research suggests that green tea may help arthritis by reducing inflammation and slowing the breakdown of cartilage.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a reasearch has approved a specific green tea extract ointment as a prescription drug for treating genital warts.
• According to a study, Liver problems have been reported in a small number of people who took concentrated green tea extracts. 
• Two Japanese studies revealed that those who drink several cups of green tea daily avoid premature cardiovascular death, which may help them live longer than subjects who consume less green tea.
• A clinical trial in human volunteers has also revealed that a green tea preparation helps improve immunity and prevents cold and flu symptoms.
• The anti-hypertensive effect, antibacterial effect, antiviral effect and neuroprotective effect of green tea are also reported.
• A Japanese study recently reported that taking a single dose of green tea catechin extract equivalent to drinking five cups of green tea a day improved the plasma antioxidant capacity of healthy adults.
• The largest population-based study to date of the effects of green tea on life span is the Ohsaki study of more than 40,000 Japanese adults followed for up to 11 years revealed that drinking more green tea protected against death from all causes and against death from cardiovascular disease, particularly from stroke.
• Studies found that green tea supplements may be better than drinking green tea because the consumption of this traditionally prepared hot beverage has been linked with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. 
• A review of 11 studies did find that drinking a cup of green or black tea daily could help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels

Though many studies have been carried on worldwide on green tea and its extracts, definite conclusions cannot be reached yet. Further studies still needed to know whether green tea is helpful for most of the purposes it is used.