Green Tea Extract and Caffeine?

Green Tea Extract and Caffeine?

Are you a three-cup-of-coffee morning person? Maybe two does the job-maybe even more? In the United States the average adult consumes 280 milligrams of caffeine daily (the equivalent of 17 ounces of brewed coffee or 84 ounces of soft drink).⁶

Caffeine is found in several of the foods we consume throughout the day, including coffee, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, cocoa and chocolate-based foods and drinks. In fact, we often look to such caffeine-rich products to give us boosts of energy during the day.

Do you ever wonder whether all that caffeine might be harmful to your health? Research studies provide conflicting results on whether caffeine is good or bad. The American Medical Association (AMA) maintains that moderate caffeine consumption is safe provided other lifestyle habits like diet, and alcohol consumption is moderate.

Should You Be Consuming Caffeine?
Medical research has established that excess caffeine consumption, or even moderate caffeine intake in children and some individuals who are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine, may cause caffeine intoxication. Caffeine intoxication symptoms include restlessness, irritability, nervousness, sleep disturbances, frequent urination and stomach upsets. Trying to kick the cup-a-day habit can cause headache, anxiety and restlessness.

Studies also suggest that pregnant women¹, individuals who suffer from high blood pressure, heart disease, those who have survived a stroke², and older adults³ should avoid caffeine or consume it under medical supervision only. People who suffer from anxiety disorders or who are caffeine sensitive are more prone to side-effects.

Green Tea-A Healthy Alternative to Coffee and Other Refreshing Stimulants
Green tea has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries to treat everything from headaches to depression. The ancient Chinese herb contains catechin polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which are anti-oxidants that can protect the liver from toxins and aid in its normal function⁴. These antioxidants mop up the harmful free radicals in the body and can help protect against heart ailments, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, and degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Theanine, another ingredient in green tea has a calming effect on the human body, and is known to relieve anxiety, and partially neutralize the rise in blood pressure that can occur due to caffeine intake.⁵

Green tea has been known to increase metabolism, help burn calories faster, and reduce fat storage-making it an invaluable weight loss tool.. The polyphenols in Green tea can help lower the bad cholesterol, promoting a healthy heart.. Green tea has also been known to boost the immune system and can help to combat dental decay because it has anti-bacterial properties. Studies also suggest that green tea can help support healthy skin.

Decaffeinated Green Tea-A Healthy Option
Its hard to dispute green teas many health benefits, but some people who are sensitive to caffeine cant reap those benefits. Although green tea has less caffeine than coffee or some other energy drinks, consumers who are sensitive to caffeine can still suffer from sleeplessness, jitters or heart palpitations.

There are options for those who want to get all the health benefits of green tea without the caffeine and the side effects that come with it. Green Tea Plus is a decaf option of the ancient herb-offering all the benefits of green tea and none of the jitters. Green Tea Plus contains only trace amounts of caffeine, just enough to provide health promoting benefits-as well as additional nutrients such as trace minerals and is naturally sweetened with Magic Fruit extract for added flavor.

You can now enjoy refreshing, health-promoting cups of Green Tea, without the caffeine!

References

1. Balat, O., Balat, A., Ugur, M.G., Pence, S. The effect of smoking and caffeine on the fetus and placenta in pregnancy. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2003; 30(1):57-59.
2. Ragab, S., Lunt, M., Birch, A., Thomas, P.,Jenkinson, D.F. Caffeine reduces blood flow in patients recovering from an ischaemic stroke.Age Ageing. 2004; May;33(3):299-303.
3. Higdon, J.V., Frei, B. Coffee and health: a review of recent human research. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(2):101-123.
4. Zhen MC, Wang Q, Huang XH, Cao LQ, Chen XL, Sun K, Liu YJ, Li W, Zhang LJ. Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits oxidative damage and preventive effects on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis. J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Dec;18(12):795-805.
5. Rogers PJ, Smith JE, Heatherley SV, Pleydell-Pearce CW. Time for tea: mood, blood pressure and cognitive performance effects of caffeine and theanine administered alone and together. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2008 Jan;195(4):569-77
6. John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center: http://www.caffeinedependence.org/caffeine_dependence.html