This is great info about green tea and it's tie into helping decrease the incidence of Depression. They are so many other benefits of green tea.
Green Tea May Be Beneficial in Reducing Symptoms of Depression.
Date: 1/22/2010
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Related Monographs: Depression, Green Tea
Depression has been classified as a mood disorder or affective disorder. Mood is defined as a pervasive and sustained emotion that, in the extreme, markedly affects a person's perception of the world and ability to adequately function in society. Mood disorders are among the most common encountered in clinical practice and are divided into depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. There are over 187 million adults in the United States – and about 19 million of these people will experience a depressive episode in any given year, making depression the most common psychiatric disorder encountered in general medical practice. Women are two to three times more likely to experience depression than men.
Depression is a one-two punch that knocks the sufferer out of the ring on a daily basis. Number one, the symptoms themselves make life miserable. Number two, the depressed individual struggles to function and keep up with the life's normal demands. Conventional treatment for depression is aimed both at reducing symptoms and helping the individual regain the ability to function they once enjoyed. Usually the treatment includes psychotherapy and the use of anti-depressant medications.
Green tea is an evergreen shrub that has long been used in much of the world as a popular beverage and a respected medicinal agent. An early Chinese Materia Medica lists green tea as an agent to promote digestion, improve mental faculties, decrease flatulence and regulate body temperature. The earliest known record of consumption is around 2700 B.C. Ceremonies, celebrations, relaxation time and ordinary meals usually consist of tea in most parts of the world, except the United States, where coffee has become the most popular beverage. Unlike black tea (also Camellia sinensis) which is produced by oxidizing the young tea leaves, green tea is produced from steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures, thereby inactivating the oxidizing enzymes and leaving the polyphenol content intact.
Green tea is an antioxidant and is used in promoting cardiovascular health and reducing serum cholesterol levels in laboratory animals and humans. Studies suggest that green tea contains dietary factors that help decrease the development of some infectious diseases and dental caries. Green tea has diuretic, stimulant, astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, thermogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea has also been reported to enhance immunity.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the relations between green tea consumption and symptoms of depression. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1,058 relatively healthy elderly individuals aged 70 and older. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess green tea consumption and the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used to evaluate symptoms of depression. Results indicated the more frequent consumption of green tea was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. Dr. Niu noted that “A green tea component, the amino acid theanine, which is thought to have a tranquilizing effect on the brain, may explain the "potentially beneficial effect" shown in the current study.”1
1 Niu K, Hozawa A, Kuriyama S, et al. Green tea consumption is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr. Dec2009;90(6):1615-22.
The Benefits of Shaklee"Cinch Energy Tea Mix" : CallDA prohibits Shaklee from making medicinal claims regarding this incredibly valuable product, but if you do your research, you will discover that this is a tea that you will want to drink everyday due to its long list of benefits.
Ingredients of Cinch Energy Tea Mi are as follows:
* Taurine “ an amino acid
* Maltodextrin – a polysaccharide produced from corn starch
* Rooibos Red Tea Extract – an native plant (herb) only found in the Cedarburg mountain region of South Africa … known as "The Miracle Tea" or "Long Life Tea"
* Green Tea Extract – anti-oxidant blend
* Natural Flavors
* White Tea Extract – the least processed form of tea
* Matcha Green Tea Powder – Japan’s highest grade of green tea (the greener than green superfood"
Shaklee refers to it as "Liquid Oomph"
Containing exotic white, red and Matcha green teas
* that make an extraordinary drink
* which is a safe, natural, healthy, and effective alternative for boosting energy
* with only 5 calories per serving
* great in hot or iced water
Red, white, green & Matcha teas are ranked as leading health-giving substances in traditional Chinese medicine
