Tea In Health And Disease

While there have been many claims of the benefits of teas through the years, and while there is nearly universal agreement that drinking tea can benefit health, there is still a concern over whether the lab-generated results are representative of real-life benefit, what the risk of toxicity might be, and what the effective-level thresholds are for various purposes. Clearly there are still questions about the efficacy and use of tea for health benefit. This book presents a comprehensive look at the compounds in black, green, and white teas, their reported benefits (or toxicity risks) and also explores them on a health-condition specific level, providing researchers and academics with a single-volume resource to help in identifying potential treatment uses. No other book on the market considers all the varieties of teas in one volume, or takes the disease-focused approach that will assist in directing further research and studies. Interdisciplinary presentation of material assists in identifying potential cross-over benefits and similarities between tea sources and diseases Assists in identifying therapeutic benefits for new product development Includes coverage and comparison of the most important types of tea – green, black and white

Examines the benefits of tea and its components, ranging from the anti-microbial to the anti-oxidant. Components such as catechins, theaflavins, polysaccharides, and others have been isolated and may have putative protective effects and modulate the biochemistry of a variety of cell types. 128 chapters explore improvements in the cardiovascular system, the brain, and other organs, and looks at possible applications in other disease areas --

Tea, made from the leaves of the Camellia senenisis plant, is the second most consumed beverage worldwide after water. Accumulating evidence from cellular, animal, epidemiological and clinical studies have linked tea consumption to various health benefits, such as chemoprevention of cancers, chronic inflammation, heart and liver diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. Although such health benefits have not been consistently observed in some intervention trials, positive results from clinical trials have provided direct evidence supporting the cancer-protective effect of green tea. In addition, numerous mechanisms of action have been suggested to contribute to tea's disease-preventive effects. Furthermore, effects of the processing and storage of tea, as well as additives on tea's properties have been investigated.

Tea, made from the leaves of the Camellia senenisis plant, is the second most consumed beverage worldwide after water. Accumulating evidence from cellular, animal, epidemiological and clinical studies have linked tea consumption to various health benefits, such as chemoprevention of cancers, chronic inflammation, heart and liver diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. Although such health benefits have not been consistently observed in some intervention trials, positive results from clinical trials have provided direct evidence supporting the cancer-protective effect of green tea. In addition, numerous mechanisms of action have been suggested to contribute to tea’s disease-preventive effects. Furthermore, effects of the processing and storage of tea, as well as additives on tea’s properties have been investigated.

During the course of the last two decades, the health effects of tea and its catechins have been docmnented in nmnerous scientific studies and the scientific basis of these effects has been elaborated. Professor Kuroda and Dr. Hara provide in this volmne a translation of a thorough and extensive book published earlier (in Japanese), which will be of considerable interest to scientists worldng in the field, and to members of the general public interested in naturaJ ways of maintaining health. Both authors are themselves eminent researchers with extensive experience. Dr. Kuroda is best known for his publications employing tissue cultures. Dr. Ham has published nmnerous research papers on the health effects of green tea and its catechins. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the historical use of green tea in Japan and elsewhere, followed by a description of the many disease conditions against which these teas have preventive (protective) effects. Of particular interest to "senior citizens" is the chapter on the ability of tea components to ameliorate a wide range of age-related diseases including cancer, arteriosclerosis, and various forms of senile dementias. For scientists and others interested in infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses, a chapter dealing with the ability of tea components to inhibit these organisms will be of special interest.

Bringing together the latest research from leading experts, this book provides an indispensable reference on the health benefits of drinking tea. It examines the general health giving properties of tea before moving on to a detailed review of the evidence for the beneficial effects of tea on specific ailments including cancer, the common cold, renal disease, cardiovascular disease, antiviral influenza, arthritis, lung and pulmonary ailments, aging, oral health, and dementia.

The past decade has seen considerable interest and progress in unraveling the beneficial health effects of tea, particularly its polyphenolic components and its antioxidant activity. Understanding the science behind the claims will help in the production and marketing of teas and tea products. Pulling together recent research and presenting it in an organized format, Tea and Tea Products discusses the manufacturing and chemistry of various teas including green, black, Pu-erh, white, and GABA teas. Emphasizing black and green teas equally, the book presents comprehensive and up-to-date reviews and perspectives on the chemistry of tea components and the molecular biology of green tea catechins and black tea theaflavins. It covers the analysis, formation mechanisms, and bioavailability of tea polyphenols and discusses bioactivities of teas including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti diabetes. Increased awareness of the many health benefits of tea has fueled an increase in the market for ready to drink teas and tea products in general that will continue to grow. This expanding market requires a resource that provides the evidence. The editors of this volume have more than 100 research publications in tea, and experience in editing more than 50 books between them. Under their expertise and editorial guidance, the contributors present chapters that explore the science behind the health claims of teas.

After water, tea signifies the second most frequently consumed beverage world-wide. Teas are not all the same; among the many areas of research that are included in this book are the effects of selenium-containing green tea on food consumption and body weight gain. Research shows that tea consumption may have its strongest effect among patients with cardiovascular disease. A specific chapter investigates whether green tea intake can reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Research is presented to show that green tea and its major constituent epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have a potential chemopreventative and/or treatment for a variety of diseases including breast cancer. Other research sheds new light on the molecular basis for the cancer-preventive activity of EGCG in vivo and helps in the design of new strategies to prevent cancer. A further study presents an analysis assessing the progress of research on the mechanisms pertaining to how telomerase activity is regulated by green tea in cancer cells. Further chapters look at the relationship of tea to diabetes and a description of the beneficial effects of green tea catechins on neuronal functions and neuronal diseases such as dementia. To improve biological functions and industrial applicability of green tea and its by-products, research is presented showing irradiation as a useful method.