Green Tea: Health Benefits and Applications

by Yukihiko Hara

Overview

A comprehensive overview of the inherent properties, chemical and biochemical functions, actions for lowering the risks of cardiovascular and infectious diseases and cancers, and underlying mechanisms of tea polyphenols. It reveals the bioantimutagenic potency of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) found in green tea.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135566876
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	02/02/2001
Series:	ISSN
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	280
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Yukihiko Hara

Table of Contents

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.

Editorial Reviews

3 Stars from Doody

...the first detailed treatise on tea's history and production. "Coverage of the subject matter is excellent.
—Australian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics

Publisher

...timely and comprehensive.

Food Trade Review

Twenty scientific papers trace the results of studies conducted over the past two decades by Hara, now a vice president of Tokyo Food Techno Co. Ltd., and other researchers. The book deals primarily with the health benefits of tea polyphenols<-->in particular, tea catechins, which are the major component of fresh tea leaves and the element that gives green tea its pungency. Papers review the biosynthesis and fermentation processes in green and black teas, analyze effective methods for extracting tea polyphenols, and investigate the cancer-fighting and other beneficial properties of tea. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Reviewer: Zhaoming Xu, BSc, MSc, PhD (University of British Columbia)
Description: This book provides an overview on a broad range of topics related to green tea with a focus on the chemical and biochemical functions and potential health benefits of tea polyphenols.
Purpose: It deals primarily with the health benefits of tea polyphenols, in particular tea catechins.
Audience: It seems that this book is aimed at those individuals who are interested in knowing more about the health benefit of green tea.
Features: This book begins with an introduction of the history of tea followed by information on the health benefits of green tea. This includes the antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral and anticarcinogenic activities of polyphenols, and cancer prevention and lipid lowering effects of green tea. It is interesting that this book also devotes one chapter to the practical and industrial applications of polyphenols and related commercial products. An overview on the production, processing, consumption, and trading of Japanese tea and recent trends in the Japanese tea industry are provided in the last chapter under the title of Tea in Japan.
Assessment: This book provides a comprehensive, but brief, survey on the health benefits of green tea. It is interesting reading material for tea drinkers and potential consumers as it provides sufficient information showing potential health benefits associated with green tea. Some of the information may be a bit overwhelming for those less advanced consumers. At the same time, researchers will likely find that the value of this book as a reference is limited.

Doody's Review Service

"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

From the Publisher