| The chemical compound known as a phenol is | | | | can attack proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, |
| characterized by an aromatic benzene ring | | | | and DNA. However, DNA is usually preferred. |
| with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached. This | | | | DNA and free radical interactions usually |
| makes sense that poly-phenols refer to a | | | | result in mutations that adversely affect the |
| chemical substance with more than one phenol | | | | cell cycle and potentially lead to |
| group. Phenols function as potent | | | | malignancy. In fact, researchers believe |
| antioxidants, reacting with free radicals. | | | | this is how many forms of cancer |
| Phenols are responsible for the bright | | | | arise.Antioxidants protect the body from |
| coloring in many fruits and vegetables. | | | | damaging oxidation reactions. Antioxidants |
| These fruit and vegetable phenols protect the | | | | safely interact with free radicals to prevent |
| plants from damage by disease and ultraviolet | | | | damage to vital molecules. Antioxidants |
| light.Polyphenols are phytonutrients or | | | | donate an electron to the free radical, hence |
| phytochemicals. Phytonutrients are | | | | stabilizing the free radical and preventing |
| biologically active compounds in food. | | | | damage. The antioxidant is stable with or |
| However, these phytonutrients are not | | | | without the electron, making this a win-win |
| classified as essential nutrients. This is | | | | situation.Polyphenols can be found in white, |
| because the body does not depend on these | | | | black, and green tea. Of course, the level |
| nutrients for proper bodily function. | | | | of polyphenols along with other nutrients is |
| Phytonutrients do play a vital role in | | | | based on how the tea is processed. Steamed |
| affecting our health just as significantly as | | | | white and green tea retains more polyphenols |
| vitamins and minerals do.Polyphenols are | | | | and nutrients than roasting and fermenting. |
| classified as flavonoids, which is a class of | | | | Black teas and some green teas are fermented |
| phytonutrient. Polyphenols can form | | | | and roasted, damaging the bioactive |
| complexes with metal cations such as iron, | | | | substances in the tea leaf.Why should you |
| zinc, and copper. This reduces the | | | | drink green tea? Many studies have been done |
| absorption of the mineral. This is | | | | on the health benefits of green tea. Dietary |
| beneficial because excess levels of these | | | | intake of green tea has been linked to a |
| cations promotes the generation of free | | | | reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. |
| radicals. Polyphenols are potent free | | | | Regular consumption of green tea shows no |
| radical scavengers in the body. Polyphenols | | | | significant side effects. Green tea helps |
| also protect and regenerate other dietary | | | | prevent cavities, strengthens teeth, and is |
| oxidants such as vitamin E.Polyphenols are | | | | thought to kill oral bacteria that is |
| plentiful in green tea. Polyphenols have | | | | responsible for bad breath. Green tea has |
| been found to be more powerful as an | | | | been shown to protect the brain from |
| antioxidant than even vitamins C and E. In | | | | oxidative stress and lower monoamine oxidase |
| particular, EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate | | | | activity; preventing age related brain |
| is the major polyphenolic constituent of | | | | degeneration. Green tea studies suggest an |
| green tea. EGCG is a potent antioxidant. A | | | | increase in exercise endurance by improving |
| number of chronic diseases have been thought | | | | the metabolism of fat.Green tea offers many |
| to be caused by free radical damage such as | | | | health benefits to those who drink green tea |
| cancer, aging, and heart disease.Antioxidants | | | | regularly. Besides offering antioxidant |
| protect the body from free radical damage. | | | | benefits, green tea is excellent as a weight |
| What are free radicals? Free radicals are | | | | loss supplement offering weight loss results |
| caused by cigarette smoking, radiation, | | | | and safety. Of course, green tea should be |
| pollution, and herbicides. Free radicals are | | | | used in combination with a healthy diet and |
| atoms with unpaired electrons in the outer | | | | exercise program. If you take medications |
| shell. The unpaired electrons make free | | | | for a health condition, consult your doctor |
| radicals unstable. Free radicals want only | | | | before adding green tea to your |
| to be stable. Free radical stability | | | | diet.Copyright 2006 Kristy HaugenKristy |
| requires the electrons to be paired. Free | | | | Haugen is a mother working to finish her |
| radicals are extremely reactive and will | | | | second bachelor degree in Chemical |
| oxidize the nearest molecule.Oxidizing causes | | | | Engineering. She is also a Licensed Practical |
| the free radical to gain an electron but also | | | | Nurse with a current bachelor degree in |
| creates another free radical. This creates a | | | | Biology and Chemistry. She writes to inform |
| chain reaction continuing until the | | | | consumers about nutrition and health topics. |
| disruption of a living cell. Free radicals | | | | |