green tea

green tea A tea brewed from fresh leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Green tea contains a high concentration of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in humans have shown mixed results. Some studies have also shown that green tea may help lower blood cholesterol levels and have a protective effect against other diseases ranging from diabetes to liver disease. Extracts of green tea leaves are also available as capsules and liquid preparations. The scientific or medical benefits of green tea have not been firmly established, and green tea may have harmful interactions with certain prescription medications.