Green tea
Due to the fermentation process, black teas, with the exception of Darjeeling, are stripped of the catechin compounds responsible for its antioxidant properties. Green teas undergo less transformation and catechin levels are preserved. And it is these polyphenols which have elevated its health benefit.
Not all green teas are created equal.
There is conflicting research as to how much tea is needed to experience real health benefits. It seems fair to say that you would need to drink more tea of lower catechin content (Chinese varieties) and less, perhaps only 4-5 cups daily, of a higher content tea. Caffeine content Return to Healthy essentials from Green tea
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Another source rich in polyphenols, the health benefit of green tea has long been known. Unfortunately it’s not as common as black tea in Western culture, although that is changing.
Their antioxidant properties have been found to be at least 100 times more effective than vitamin C, 25 times more effective than vitamin E and twice as effective as resveratrol (found in red wine), all of which are thought to protect cells from the damage of free radicals.
In studies it has been found that the highest levels of catechin are found in Japanese green tea, with the Sencha and Gyokuro varieties being the best. To extract the maximum amount of health benefit, teas should be brewed for 8-10 minutes using water which has been brought to boil and then left to sit a minute or two.
Tea in general has about ⅓ to ½ the caffeine content of coffee, depending of course on the roast. Now consider that green tea has only ¼ of the caffeine of black tea. Truly a calming and thirst quenching component of your healthy diet that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
