A REVIEW ON HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA CONSUMPTION

Abstract

One of the most popular drinks worldwide is green tea that is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Scientists have been researching this plant for possible health benefits over the last 30 years or so. Analysis has shown that catechins are the key components of green tea that are correlated with medical benefits. (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate are the four major catechins contained in green tea (EGCG). Of all four, the greatest amount of EGCG is present, and so it was used in most of the analysis. The health effects of green tea include the following: anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cardiovascular and oral health benefits. Analysis has been performed utilizing numerous animal models and lines of cells and is now gradually being carried out in humans. This kind of analysis would allow one to better understand the clear advantages of green tea. This analysis would concentrate mainly on studies undertaken to examine the health effects of green tea using human subjects.