Anyone kicked coffee for green tea? Do you drink green tea?

[Buzzard]

I drink quite a lot of coffee. I love coffee. But other than the jump start it gives me in the morning, I dont think it has many benefits. It's just a plain habit. It's also very dehydrating, which I really don't like. I've tried drinking g tea in the past, but I find it to be so blah compared to coffee. I'd really like to make the switch though for better health .

Have any hard core coffee drinkers here done this? Do you find it gives you the same satisfaction as coffee? Any g tea drinkers recommend what brands or whatever and how to drink for ultimate taste?

[schteve_d]

Yes, Buzzard I have done this when I quit smoking. I still have one cup of coffee in the morning at work and after that it's green tea all day...probably six or seven cups throughout the day.

Tetley has some great flavoured ones that come in a little cardboard "can". Blueberry and mint are my favourites but there are likely twelve different ones (pomegranate, camomile, berry, etc.) I keep multiple cans in my desk at work. At home I just have some Tetley decaf for if I want a cup in the evening that is unflavoured and I'll just add a couple of drops of honey.

I mostly did the switch as green tea is said to boost metabolism and I was worried about gaining weight when I quit smoking. I still packed on a couple pounds but not a whole bunch so I have no idea if it helped or not.

It's hard to say if I feel better from the switch or not as I certainly feel better now that I don't smoke! It sure as hell isn't hurting me, though, so I'll keep it up. Oh, and I wouldn't say I miss coffee in the slightest.

[metallicat]

The Chinese say you have to drink 10 cups of green tea a day for maximum benefit. No way I'm doing that, but I enjoy a cup once in awhile.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Why green tea in particular instead of black or white tea?

[metallicat]

http://chinesefood.about.com/library.../aa011400a.htm

[Thor]

from the wikipedia on green tea, again its 'potential benefits' hasn't been exactly researched enough.

Green tea consumption is reportedly associated with various health-promoting properties. For example, it has been shown to promote fat oxidation in humans at rest and to prevent obesity and improve insulin sensitivity in mice. Green tea is also high in antioxidant potential, and laboratory tests indicate that green tea can be much higher in antioxidant properties than black, oolong or even white tea (uncured tea). [4]
In a study performed at Birmingham (UK) University, it was shown that average fat oxidation rates were 17% higher after ingestion of Green Tea Extract than after ingestion of a placebo.[5]



Similarly the contribution of fat oxidation to total energy expenditure was also significantly higher by a similar percentage following ingestion of Green Tea Extract. This implies that ingestion of Green Tea Extract can not only increase fat oxidation during moderately intensive exercise but also improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in healthy young men.


In a study performed at the Technion, it was shown that the main antioxidant polyphenol of green tea extract, EGCG, when fed to mice induced with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, helped to protect brain cells from dying, as well as 'rescuing' already damaged neurons in the brain, a phenomenon called neurorescue or neurorestoration. The findings of the study, led by Dr. Silvia Mandell, were presented at the Fourth International Scientific Symposium on Tea and Human Health in Washington D.C., in 2007. Resulting tests underway in China, under the auspices of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, are being held on early Parkinson's patients. [6]


In a recent case-control study of the eating habits of 2,018 women, consumption of mushrooms and green tea was linked to a 90% lower occurrence of breast cancer.[7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

Why green tea in particular instead of black or white tea?

Because the reason I'd like to try is for better health. I've always read how good green tea is "supposed" to be for you. I haven't seen a whole lot of hype on black tea benefits, and as for white, I hardly know a thing.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

The Chinese say you have to drink 10 cups of green tea a day for maximum benefit. No way I'm doing that, but I enjoy a cup once in awhile.

They would say that. Its part of their master plan.

[tjinaz]

I still have my cup of joe in the morning but instead of Diet Pepsi or the Dew I drink the Lipton diet green tea. I dilute with water and sip on it all day. Pretty tasty and actually does me some good instead of the weirdness that is soda.

[Buzzard]

Yeah..pop is one thing I have successfully kicked. I drank a can or two of pepsi a day. It was getting to the point where I had to have one with a meal. Gross. Don't miss it it now either, although I still do love the taste of pepsi. I remember reading somewhere that in the future we'd look back on pop like we do now with smokes. Everyone used to do it, without realizing the harm it does to you.

[ricosuave]

yerba mate is good too

[Shazam]

Lipton tea sucks.

Try Numi, at the very least. There's much better brands, but it's a good start. Try going to Totalitea.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by tjinaz

I still have my cup of joe in the morning but instead of Diet Pepsi or the Dew I drink the Lipton diet green tea. I dilute with water and sip on it all day. Pretty tasty and actually does me some good instead of the weirdness that is soda.

I don't think that's the same thing as drinking a cup of tea that came from a tea bag though.

Locke, get your mind out of the gutter.

[Finner]

I mostly drink coffee, but I also occasionally have green tea. Coffee has a lot of positive health benefits as well, and some negative.

(positives in green, negatives in red)

From Wikipedia:

Coffee consumption has been linked to breast size reduction,[71] and regular caffeine intake reduces the risk of breast cancer.[72] Coffee appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 2, cirrhosis of the liver,[73] and gout. A longitudinal study in 2009 showed that moderate drinkers of coffee (3-5 cups per day) had lower chances of getting Dementia, in addition to Alzheimer's disease [74]. It increases the risk of acid reflux and associated diseases.[75] Some health effects of coffee are due to its caffeine content, as the benefits are only observed in those who drink caffeinated coffee while others appear to be due to other components.[76] For example, the antioxidants in coffee prevent free radicals from causing cell damage.[77]

[FlamesAddiction]

I like the occasional cup of tea, but still prefer coffee. Green tea in particular doesn't seem to agree with my digestive system, although I do like the flavour.

[jolinar of malkshor]

I like tea but usually not green tea, earl grey...hot.

[tjinaz]

earl grey...hot.

Engage!

[redforever]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

The Chinese say you have to drink 10 cups of green tea a day for maximum benefit. No way I'm doing that, but I enjoy a cup once in awhile.

Make your tea stronger, then you get the benefits without having to drink as much. It can get a bit bitter if too strong, so some then add a bit of honey.

[redforever]

If you want to get any "good tea", go to a tea shop. You get mainly dust in bags. And while you are there getting some good quality teas, get some rooibos. It is not really a tea, it comes from shrubs in Africa, but it has the same benefits from the antioxidants. Some say even higher concentrations.

[starseed]

I have recently kicked coffee, I drink White tea, Green Tea and Earl Grey. Occasionally other herbal teas, like rosehip and peppermint.