By Chris Robideaux
Evidence shows that the regular consumption of green tea results in reduced risk of heart disease. One Japanese study in particular found that those who drank five cups of the highly popular beverage per day cut their heart disease risk by 26%. Interestingly, the effects of green tea were found to be stronger in women than in men. The Journal of American Medical Association published the results of this study in September 2006. Although the FDA rejects this health claim in the face of a mountain of evidence otherwise, many millions of comparatively healthy people drink green tea and believe in (as well as enjoy) its life-affirming properties.
Green tea helps prevent heart disease, but it also does so much more. This wonder-drink contains the disease-busting elements of catechins, phytochemicals and polyphenols, which are on the front lines in the body, doing things like aiding digestion, relieving stress and reducing blood pressure. Tea is the most commonly consumed drink in the entire world, after water, and probably the most popular as well. The wisdom of the ancients (particularly those in China and the Far East) knew quite well that it was a sacred plant that made a sacred concoction, and it was lent medicinal status. This reverence, thank goodness, has carried forward into a modern, polluted, disease-suffering world which needs tea more than ever before.
Savor well the effects of green tea – and all the tea, for that matter, as it’s Mother Nature’s way of telling us all she wants us to be vigorous and healthy. With heart disease being the leading cause of death in the United States, drinking green tea is more imperative than ever. With all the choices in teas on the market, including rich and varied herbal infusions, one can breathe the myriad aromas deeply, as the sensual and medicinal tonic is absorbed into the body, mind and spirit.
Tea Blog 
Be careful about what conclusions you draw from these studies. In Japan, nearly all tea consumed is green tea. A study in Japan that finds that green tea reduces the risk of heart disease is providing evidence about the effects of green tea, but it says nothing about whether or not black tea, oolong tea, or other kinds of tea have any effects. Indeed, because few people consume these types of tea in Japan, it would be difficult or impossible to study this sort of thing in Japan except by some sort of controlled experiment.
So, while it’s great to focus on green tea, don’t forget other kinds of tea too. This study (and the myriad of other studies like it) are NOT saying that green tea is better than any other kind of tea…they just happen to be studying green tea because they’re Japanese studies, and that’s what people drink over there.
The jury is still out on whether other types of tea have similar effects, but from what I’ve read, there is a lot of evidence that the health benefits of tea are not limited to green tea (nor are they necessarily better in green tea).
Thanks for the post! =)