Health Benefits

Green tea has been credited with providing a wide variety of health benefits, many of which have not been validated by scientific evidence. These claims and any for which academic citations are currently missing are listed here:

• Stopping certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
  The prevention and treatment of cancer.
  
• Treating multiple sclerosis.
  
• Preventing the degradation of cell membranes by neutralizing the spread of free radicals which occur during oxidation process.
  
• Reducing the negative effects of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) by lowering levels of triglycerides and increasing the production of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).
  
• Increasing fat oxidation (helps the body use fat as an energy source) and raising metabolism.
  
• Joy Bauer, a New York City nutritionist, says [the catechins in green tea] increase levels of the metabolism speeding brain chemical norepinephrine.
  
• Japanese researchers claim that drinking five cups of green tea a day can burn 70 to 80 extra calories. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, an anti-aging specialist, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show and told Oprah's viewers they can lose 10 lbs (4.5 kg) in 6 weeks drinking green tea instead of coffee.
  
• Some green tea lovers restrict their intake because of the caffeine it contains — about a quarter the amount as is found in coffee. Too much caffeine can cause nausea, insomnia or frequent urination.