Most health enthusiasts would have you believe that drinking Green Tea, at least 6 cups a day, would promote you to a state of healthy "nirvana". But is it really true? Is Green Tea all that health fad experts claim it to be?

Green tea is believed to originate from China but has found its way into many of the Far Eastern countries. The ancient religious sages clearly understood the importance of this beverage to the body and mind. The art of preparing and drinking Green tea was preserved, from generation to generation in Eastern countries, through their culture and ritualistic ceremonies.

Taking a scientific look at Green Tea, research shows that Green tea is packed with polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin-3-gallate. EGCG for short. EGCGs work as antioxidants and have the potential to provide a number of health benefits.

• EGCGs support the immune system. They help to support cellular heath by helping the body to promote the production of certain immune cells.
• EGCGs help to support cardiovascular health.
• They also assist the body to maintain healthy glucose levels.
• Green Tea may be of use in weight management programs as it is believed to assist the body in burning calories more quickly.
• Green tea has oral anti-bacterial properties.
• It is also believed to have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Green tea can help to increase mental alertness.
• Green tea helps to support healthy skin. The antioxidants in green tea help support the healthy production of collagen and elastin, the basic skin structure which helps keep skin soft, supple and firm.

So then, we can conclude—drinking green tea is really good for health! This summer, why not begin a healthy practice by introducing green tea into your every day life. Make it your No. 1 summer drink. Here are some great recipes to beat the heat:

• Prepare a pitcher of Green tea. You can either brew the leaves or use a concentrated Green tea supplement. Just add a few drops of concentrated Green tea to a pitcher of ice water. Mix in a few scrapings of fresh ginger, a squeeze of lime and a few mint leaves. This makes a delicious, thirst-quenching drink to beat the summer heat. It’s great for digestion as well as antioxidant power.
• Add a few drops of Green tea concentrates in your ice cubes. The next time you add ice to any of your preferred beverage, you’re also adding antioxidant value to it! In fact, by adding Green tea to any citrus beverage, you can increase the antioxidant strength by five times.
• Add a few drops of Green tea concentrate to any smoothie or milk shake.
• You can turn ordinary desserts into Green tea delicacies. Try adding a few drops of Green tea to any gelatin dessert, cake mixes, or even an apple pie recipe!

There are a variety of opportunities to make Green tea a part of your regular diet. You can drink freshly brewed tea whenever you have the time to brew it or use convenient supplements like Green Tea Plus.Just a few drops are equivalent to 6 cups of Green Tea!