Tea has a long history of use for medical purposes and modern research has helped scientifically establish its effectiveness. Studies have shown that green tea especially is a drink that may provide a variety of health benefits to those who consume it on a regular basis.

View a second image of Catechin Hydrate

Green tea contains an abundance of phytochemicals, such as catechins, which are tannin derivatives that provide astringency to the drink. The amount of catechins in green tea varies depending on the time of the year, with larger amounts being found in crops grown later in the season. Also, younger leaves contain greater amounts of the phytochemicals than those that are more mature and can be used, therefore, to produce a more astringent tea. The greater the astringency of the tea, the more likely it is to be advantageous to one’s health because mounting evidence suggests that catechins fight cancer and exhibit both antiviral and antioxidant characteristics. Some research also indicates that the phytochemicals may function physiologically to regulate blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure, as well.

In addition the general health benefits of drinking green tea, the catechins it contains may help individuals live longer. Though the evidence is inconclusive as of yet, some epidemiological studies seem to suggest that regularly drinking large amounts of green tea may prolong human life. In Japan, for instance, a study carried out by the Saitama Cancer Center that evaluated 8,500 participants found that those that consumed more than 3 cups of green tea per day had an average lifespan of 66 years for males and 68 years for females. Those subjects that drank more than 10 cups of green tea each day, however, boasted an average lifespan of 70 years for males and 74 years for females.

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