If you are one of those wondering whether you'll be victim of Alzheimer's disease or any of those 21st century neurodegenerative diseases, green tea may be a possible option to try to avoid them.

In a recent study published in the Molecular Nutrition & Food Research journal, researchers from the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China, have found that Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main polyphenolic constituent of green tea that is known to exert anticancer properties and already known for its capability to inhibit carcinogenesis, may be used for the prevention and treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases [10]. Image left: зеленый чай / green teaby panafotkas under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0).

CAMELIA SINENSIS

Family: Teaceae
Genus: Camelia
Common name: Green tea

Obesity is, together with cancer, one of the 21st century problems in developed countries, contributing to increased mortality. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006 and 2007–2008, over two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, and over one-third are obese [1,2].

Fortunately some scientists and researchers keep on investigating some foods or supplements such as green tea, fiber, and calcium supplements or dairy products that may complement a healthy lifestyle to produce small weight losses or prevent weight gain over time [3]. Image left: China green tea by Marius B under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0).

Some of the properties and health benefits of green tea, rich in Polyphenols, and some of the active constituents that may be linked to this weight-loss properties are discussed in this article.

CAMELIA SINENSIS

Family: Teaceae
Genus: Camelia
Common name: Green tea

Raspberry, an edible fruit from the Rubus genus, is known to posses many health benefits, it is a powerful antioxidant properties, has anti-proliferative activity against cancer in vitro [1], increases fertility, suppress induced hepatic lesions (in rats), reduces weight via raspberry leaf ketones, helps pregnant women during labor, this last due to certain uterine relaxant effects [5,38,39], and some of its phytochemicals are even used as the source of aromatic compounds used by the industry in many commercial products...etc., but what scientific and medical evidence is behind all these claimed benefits?

In this article we try to document the evidence behind the claimed properties of raspberry tea and raspberry leaf.

RUBUS IDAEUS

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Common name: Red raspberry

Green tea has been claimed to have many health benefits and numerous properties for which it is known and used worldwide, some of these benefits and properties include claims about its anti-cancer properties, its ability to lower cholesterol, protect the skin against oxidation and aging, cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders, being a powerful antioxidant with even more antioxidant capacity than some vitamins as vitamin C or E, and last but not least, green tea diet claims green tea is able to help you lower your weight, but, how much truth is behind that statement? Let's find out what scientist and doctors said about such claim and which scientific studies and clinical trials can confirm or deny such statement.

CAMELIA SINENSIS

Family: Teaceae
Genus: Camelia
Common name: Green tea

Green tea extract green tea extract high in catechins reduces body fat [7]