The benefits of drinking green tea are well documented in Asia, North America, and Europe. Here in Japan the tea of choice is Gokurotea, which is regarded as the highest standard of tea you can buy in Japan. Tea comes in a variety of different forms and grades, each with its own benefits. Most Japanese teas have antioxidant properties that not only fight against aging, but also cancer. Studies have shown that regular consumption of tea can reduce chances of breast cancer in women in high risk groups.
The Japanese have been drinking tea for centuries and as a result have been enjoying some of the longest life expectancies in the world. Now, when it comes to menopause green tea is one of the best options available. Tea reduces hot flashes and it increases your energy so that you feel less fatigue. Green tea also alleviates many of the other discomforts associated with menopause and aging, such as stress and disorientation.
When brewing green tea you should be very careful about the temperature of the teapot and cup. The cup and teapot need to be at the same temperature. Remember, one pouring per steeping. Never just let water remain and become cold. How Gyokuro is brewed is quite different from other sencha. The greatest appellation attached to this tea is called Yame, a small town in Fukuoka, Japan where more than 40% of Gyokuro is produced.
Hot Flash Reduction
Hot flashes, those nasty head-to-toe explosions of heat, are well known by menopausal women. A common sign of menopause, hot flashes are spontaneous and triggers are individual. Although studies are conflicting, a 2003 Singapore study demonstrated that green tea reduced the occurrence of hot flashes by 47 percent. If hot flashes persist despite that cup of green tea, try letting it cool. The MayoClinic.com warns that hot beverages may incite a hot flash.
Energy Boost
During menopause, women can suffer difficulty with organizing their thoughts and lethargy. Green tea is a natural source of caffeine, which may contribute a boost of energy during menopause. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that the caffeine content in tea and green tea extracts may be responsible for the mental alertness found in tea drinkers. However, if sleep irregularity or onset difficulties occur, cut back on the evening cup of tea.
Breast Protection
Early results from a January 2010 study published in the Annals of Epidemiology by Qi Dai, Xiao-Ou Shu and colleagues suggest that women who drink green tea regularly may delay the onset of breast cancer. The theory suggests that the antioxidants and polyphenols in green tea may suppress hormones, such as estrogen, that are linked to an increase in breast cancers. Similar results were demonstrated in a 2005 Singapore study by Anna H. Wu, Kazuko Arakawa and colleagues linking decreased instances of breast cancer in green tea drinkers published in the May 2005 issue of "Carcinogenesis." Further studies are needed to strengthen this correlation.
