About Green Tea Extract

A green tea extract is produced from the leaves of a plant camellia sinensis. These teas have undergone minimal processing during their manufacture. Green tea is now a worldwide phenomenon being very popular in several countries. Countries originally producing green tea are China and Japan.

Green tea extract is a fine brown yellowish powder having a typical smell. These powders are soluble in water and ethanol. The green tea extracts are polyphenols and catechins.

Catechins are green tea extracts which have high biochemical activity. Catechins are also called polyphenols or tannins. A catechin, which has high antioxidant property, is Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg). The antioxidant property of these chemicals is much more than either vitamin C or vitamin E. Catechins have several medicinal properties. They inhibit the proliferation and development of aberrant cell colonies in the body. It is known that proliferation of aberrant cell colonies give rise to cancer. They inhibit oxidation of cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins. The American journal of Nutrition has found out in its research that catechins decrease the oxidative damage of cells and DNA due to exposure to iron. The green tea extract has been attributed in weight loss in humans. Obesity is a major worldwide epidemic that is spreading at an alarming rate. Bad food habits and sedentary lifestyle is the main cause for obesity. Obesity can set in at any age in humans. It is the major cause for several diseases. Weight can be reduced in two steps. First, regulate the excess calorie intake. Second, is to burn the body fat. Green tea has been found to possess both these properties. It not only reduces the amount of calories that is entering the body but also aids in body fat burning by increasing the metabolism. People suffering from hypothyroidism face problems to burn down the fats as they have a low metabolic rate. Green tea is beneficial for such patients.

There was a myth that the caffeine content in tea increases metabolism. However, recent studies have shown it is not in the caffeine but in the green tea (catechins) that aid in fat burning. They suppress the secretion of several digestive enzymes limit the absorption of sugar.

The green tea extracts that is the catechins have properties, which inhibits uncontrolled cell growth, and thus prevent cancer. In countries such as China where the consumption of green tea is the highest, it has been observed that the cancer rates are significantly lower. They have antibacterial properties too inhibits food poisoning bacteria which causes botulism (food poisoning). They also inhibit several types of pathogenic microbes. The green tea extracts helps in glowing of the skin, prevent the formation of wrinkles and protect them from the harmful effects of ultra-violet (UV) rays.

These extracts also mask the smell of bad breath. After all, unhealthy lifestyle produces bad breath. Imagine that you are in a business meeting of high merits and you emit foul smell from your breath! This will affect not only your professional life but also your personal life. You will not only be avoided and shunned by your colleagues but also your friends, if you have bad breath!

Green tea extract contains natural caffeine. While processing this caffeine should not be removed. Otherwise, the beneficial effects of the green tea extract will be lost. A standard green tea extract should contain 91.2 % polyphenols and 54.5% EGCG.

Therefore, next time when you buy green tea, make sure you have all the standards present. Enjoy the taste of the beverage and lead a disease free healthy life.

Green Tea Extracts and green tea have been very popular these last few years, learn about the benefits of green tea and how it can improve you health and wellbeing, learn more about Tea at http://teaonesite.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_Wershar

Amish White Bread

Original recipe yield:
2 - 9x5 inch loaves
PREP TIME 20 Min
COOK TIME 40 Min
READY IN 2 Hrs 30 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

Easy Egg and Avocado Breakfast Burrito

Original recipe yield:
4 servings
PREP TIME 15 Min
COOK TIME 10 Min
READY IN 25 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 6 eggs
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• salt to taste
• 2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed
• 4 (10 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
• 2/3 cup dry curd cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup ketchup

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, and cheese. Season with salt. Pour into a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir until scrambled.
2. Season mashed avocados with salt. Place tortillas one at a time in a separate skillet over medium heat, and cook just until warm. Spread equal amounts of the avocado mixture on one side of each warmed tortilla. Layer with equal amounts cottage cheese and scrambled eggs. Roll into burritos and serve with ketchup.

Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (6 ounce) package almond brickle chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Mix sugars, margarine and shortening until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir in chocolate chips and brickle chips.
Drop dough by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Make 9-10 minutes until lightly brown.

German Chocolate Cake III

Original recipe yield:
1 - 3 layer 9 inch cake
PREP TIME 30 Min
COOK TIME 30 Min
READY IN 1 Hr

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup water
• 4 (1 ounce) squares German sweet chocolate
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 egg whites
• 
  
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  
• 1/2 teaspoon shortening
• 1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 - 9 inch round pans. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan, heat water and 4 ounces chocolate until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. In a large bowl, cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 egg yolks one at a time. Blend in the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated.
3. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain.
4. Pour into 3 - 9 inch pans Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto wire rack.
5. To make the Filling: In a saucepan combine 1 cup sugar, evaporated milk, 1/2 cup butter, and 3 egg yolks. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla. Cool until thick enough to spread.
6. Spread filling between layers and on top of cake. In a small saucepan, melt shortening and 1 ounce of chocolate. Stir until smooth and drizzle down the sides of the cake.