More good news about green tea

Twelfth-century Zen priest Eisai hailed tea as "a miraculous medicine for the maintenance of health" and "the elixir that creates the mountain-dwelling immortals." More contemporary appraisals link green tea with a host of health benefits, from fresher breath and rejuvenated skin to lower cholesterol and slowed cancer-cell growth. In a recent Mayo Clinic study, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, an antioxidant compound found in green tea, thwarted cancer-cell communication and prompted some leukemia cells to die.

"Of all the things you can drink, tea certainly stands out as one of the healthiest," says Joe Vinson, Ph.D., chemistry professor at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania. "But to get some significant health benefits, you might have to drink up to five cups a day."

Luckily, green tea has only half the caffeine of black tea. "At low doses, caffeine can be good for you," Vinson says. "It helps keep you alert and can improve your mental performance on the job." Green tea also contains the amino acid theanine, which may aid relaxation.

THE REJUVENATORS

Soothe summer skin with Alba Organics' Aloe and Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer ($16,95; avalonnaturalproducts.com), a nourishing blend that protects against dehydration. To ease tired muscles, soak in Blooming Grove's chamomile- and time-scented Going Green Tea Bath ($10; btoominggrove.net).

CITRUS-IZED PROTECTION

Turned off by the earthy taste of green tea? Sip flavored varieties like Brassica's lemon and orange blends ($4.99-$5.99; brassicatea.com). Formulated by Johns Hopkins School of Medicine researchers, Brassica teas contain a broccoli compound shown to help prevent colon cancer.

TEA SMOOTHIE

New Tastes in Green Tea by Mutsuko Tokunaga offers fresh ways to get the goodness of green tea. For antioxidant-rich refreshment, try a Matcha and Banana Shake: Blend 1 teaspoon of matcha (a powdered form of green tea), 1 cup of milk and 1 banana, then add honey to taste.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group