Health Benefits of Green Tea
Green drinks are a popular addition to a healthy diet without much consideration about components in the green powder or foods. To have a healthy green smoothie or dessert, consider matcha green tea as the source of chlorophyll instead of spinach, Swiss chard, and kale.
Matcha green tea is grown in Japan by local farmers in the Yahagi river area. The tea leaves are mostly hand picked, steamed and dried before grading and ground into powder. Yes, it is more expensive but offers a better quality of antioxidants than vegetable sources.
Zen Buddhist monks proclaim green tea as a great relaxation and calming agent. Western nutrition researchers assail its L-theanine content for improved memory and concentration, mood enhancer, and energy promoter.
Matcha green tea is delightful hot beverage made by mixing the powder into water just below the boiling point, using 1 teaspoon powder per 6 ounces of water. A bamboo whisk and ceramic tea bowl add a traditional touch to the teat preparation. Store the green tea powder in the refrigerator for best flavor and nutrient value.
Green tea has been used in Japan since the 12th century and the EGCG components are subject of hundreds of research papers showing improved metabolism, appetite suppression, and tumor reduction. Green catechin (EGCG) offers exciting clinical hope for people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and prostate cancer according to Mayo Clinic research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Other green beverages can contain toxic oxalates that lead to crystals in the kidney or joints. Urine oxalates in spinach, Swiss chard, and kale are not just a problem for those with a history of kidney stones. These high oxalate vegetables consumed in concentrated amounts on a daily basis can cause metabolic issues for anyone with fungal infections, anemia and immune disorders.
So when choosing a healthy breakfast green smoothie or dessert, select green tea. My favorite breakfast smoothie recipe combines 1 cup coconut milk, 1 tablespoon coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder, 1/3 cup hemp hearts and mixed berries pureed until smooth.
Another favorite is Green Tea Tapioca Pudding that a prostate cancer patient consumed daily and lowered is his Gleason score from 4 to 2 in 60 days.
Green Tea Tapioca Pudding
3 tablespoons Minute tapioca
1 3/4 cup coconut milk
1 ripe banana, chopped fine or 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
Grated dark chocolate
Mix tapioca, coconut milk, banana and egg in medium saucepan. Let stand 5 minutes. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to full boil (does not stop boiling when stirred). Remove from heat. Cool 5 minutes. Sprinkle on green tea powder and stir to blend. Pour into serving dishes. Cool before topping with chocolate. Makes 4 servings.
Calories per serving 77
Protein 1 g
Carbohydrates 8 g
Fat 2 g
Sodium 29 mg