Green Tea

"This book … is an update of all the recent and new research into tea. There is increasing scientific validation of the health benefits of green tea. … This book elaborates on the significance of fermentation processes in green and black teas. What did the Chinese of yester-year know then that has taken us so long to appreciate?"- Food & Beverage Reporter, June 2004"From the Foreword. . . . . .We owe a debt to Dr. Y. Hara. . .for providing a detailed treatise on this topic which particularly emphasizes the significant health benefits to be gained by the oral intake of tea catechins....his discussion of their practical utility is sure to be of interest not only to those in tea and health sectors, but also in other diverse industries where possibilities for utilizing tea catechins exist. Dr. Hara is one of the world's experts on the manifold aspects of tea and health, and we are indebted to him to take the time to enrich us by sharing his vast knowledge with us. "---John H. Weisburger, Ph.D., M.D. American Health Foundation Valhalla, New York

• An introduction to the history of tea; biosynthesis of tea catechins; fermentation of tea; methods of extracting polyphenolic constituents of tea; antioxidative action of tea polyphenols; radical scavenging action; antibacterial action; MRSA; anticariogenic action; antiviral action of tea polyphenols; prevention of cancer by tea polyphenols; lipid lowering effects; hypoglycaemic action of tea polyphenols; hypotensive action of tea polyphenols; effects on intestinal flora; the fate of tea catechins after oral intake; efficacy of the health benefits of black tea or black tea polyphenols; toxicology; practical and industrial applications; tea in Japan.