Five Top Green Tea Health Benefits

A fascinating analysis published in the November/December 2006 issue of Explore found numerous ways that studies have demonstrated that green tea (or compounds in it) promote human health, including:

• Fighting viruses, including influenza.
• Lowering levels of LDL, the "bad" cholesterol.
• Battling cancer. Tea compounds have been shown to help prevent or alleviate cancers of the lymph nodes, bladder, breast, cervix, colon, esophagus, lung, bones, pancreas, prostate, skin and stomach.
• Aiding endurance.
• Promoting weight loss in animal and human studies.

In short, drinking green tea is one of the best health moves you can make. And if you want to avoid caffeine, drink decaffeinated versions, or remove the caffeine yourself this way:

1. Steep tea for 45 seconds in hot water, then pour off the liquid.
2. Add more hot water and steep as you normally would to brew a cup of tea.

Up to 80 percent of the caffeine is released in the first infusion of water, so only minimal amounts will remain when you add water the second time. This method has little effect on the tea's flavor or aroma.