The leaves are then shaken briskly in bamboo baskets to bruise the leaf edges

The leaves are then shaken briskly in bamboo baskets to bruise the leaf edges. The bruised leaves are then laid out in the shade to dry. You may want to heat the water without bringing it to a full boil to preserve the positive effects of green tea.Oral contraceptives can prolong the amount of time caffeine stays in the body and may increase its stimulating effects.Additionally, supporting research documents the effect of green tea catechins on extending the lifespan of heart muscle cells. Scientists found that EGCG supplementation exerted a potent antioxidant effect that lowered free radical damage to preserve telomere length and reduce heart cell death.Increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease include smoking, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, and age. Research leader Joshua Lambert, assistant professor of food science in agricultural sciences at Penn State University and his team determined to expand on prior research showing that green tea consumption promotes healthy body weight. Drinking up to five cups of green tea each day can lower the risk of developing functional disabilities as we age by nearly one half.

The process of shaking and drying the leaves are repeated several times. The bruised leaf edges begin to turn red because of fermentation, while the centers of the leaves stay green. Different types of Oolongs have different amounts of fermentation, varying from 20% green Oolongs to 60% for a classic Formosa. If you want to receive the healing benefits of green tea without any caffeine, you can purchase decaffeinated tea. Green tea which is labeled as "naturally decaffeinated" has been treated with the chemical solvent ethyl acetate. A combination of caffeine (including caffeine from green tea) and phenylpropanolamine (an ingredient used in many over-the-counter and prescription cough and cold medications and weight loss products) can cause mania and a severe increase in blood pressure.Nutrition experts recommend two to four cups of fresh brewed green tea daily or an organically compounded and standardized EGCG supplement (300 to 500 mg daily) to assist weight management goals and improve cardiovascular health.Alternative natural therapies including green tea consumption or supplementation offer a potent weapon in the fight against lipid-mediated risk factors and heart disease.The researchers used obese mice genetically predisposed to gain weight. The mice were broken into two groups; each fed a high fat diet. The test group was supplemented with EGCG in their drinking water for a period of six weeks.Prior studies have determined that consuming green tea lowers the risk of diseases associated with functional disability, such as osteoporosis, cognitive impairment and stroke.