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Well, green tea is rich in polyphenols, especially epigallocatechin gallate or better known as EGCG, which is a powerful anti-oxidant. EGCG is twice as powerful as Resveratrol that's found in wine and grape skins. This is what gives green tea its beneficial effect for the heart and brain.

Studies suggest the green tea can inhibit cancer growth, kill cancer cells, lower LDL cholesterol levels and prevent blood clots.

It's hard to believe that a few cups of green tea could yield so many health benefits. The Chinese must have known about tea's positive attributes since they have been harvesting and drinking it for over 4700 years.

The only possible caution is that tea does contain caffeine. It's not believed to be too significant though since the caffeine content is lower than coffee, about 1/3. Tea also contains L-theanine, an amino acid, that helps relax you. Tea helps to give you an "alert relax" state.

Some suggest that the fluoride content in some teas may be harmful for your health, but since its natural fluoride, instead of a byproduct like what's in our drinking water, it should be safer.

There are primarily four types of tea that originate from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, an evergreen tree. These are:

Black tea, which is probably the most common, located in supermarkets. They are allowed to oxidize, causing the leaves to darken and giving the tea a more robust flavor. Think of oxidation as when an apple you bite into sits a while turns brown.

Black tea was invented in China as a way to keep it fresh as it was exported great distances.

Oolong tea leaves are semi-oxidized, resulting in a blend between green and black tea.

White tea comes from the youngest tea leaves and is protected from the sun. It's not oxidized and has a delicate flavor. It's more fragile than other teas and could lose some of its health properties if it isn't brewed right.

Green tea is not oxidized and has a refreshing subtle taste. Green tea is high in Anti-oxidants such as EGCG. Green tea is known for its many health benefits and is probably the best to consume. Many recommend green tea as the "Tea of Choice".

Here are some benefits of drinking green tea:

• Protects against Cancer
• Protects the Heart
• Lowers LDL Cholesterol
• Arthritis
• Infection
• Immune functions
• Protects the Liver
• Protects Teeth
• Mental Alertness
• Lowers Stress Hormones
• May help prevent HIV
• Reduces Blood Pressure
• Weight Loss

If you want to brew a great cup of tea, start with a good quality organic tea, preferably green tea.