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Green Tea
Including more than one dozen recipes for drinks and desserts, a guide to the healing properties of green tea describes how it acts as a stronger antioxidant than certain vitamins, inhibits blood clots better than aspirin, and more. Original.
- GenresTeaHealthNonfiction
179 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Nadine Taylor
17 books6 followersNadine Taylor, a Registered Dietitian with a Master's Degree in Nutrition, is the author, editor, or ghostwriter of more than 20 books in the genres of health, memoir, business, and self-help, including her latest work, Arthritis for Dummies, 3rd ed.
The first and seconds editions of Arthritis for Dummies, published in 2000 and 2004 respectively, sold so well that 17 years later, Nadine felt it was worthwhile to update the book with all the latest arthritis research, the straight goods on medications old and new, up-to-date info on the newest non-invasive therapies, and more. And all of this is in an easily readable and understandable format.
Nadine lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Barry Fox, who is also a bestselling writer.
The first and seconds editions of Arthritis for Dummies, published in 2000 and 2004 respectively, sold so well that 17 years later, Nadine felt it was worthwhile to update the book with all the latest arthritis research, the straight goods on medications old and new, up-to-date info on the newest non-invasive therapies, and more. And all of this is in an easily readable and understandable format.
Nadine lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Barry Fox, who is also a bestselling writer.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 3, 2019
It took some time to start reading this because I've been burned by books touting a single item (substitutes for Vioxx and Celebrex, the Coconut Oil Miracle, etc.). They often promise more than they deliver. I flipped to the back and found 11 pages of sources for this small book. I was impressed.
The claims made for green tea are impressive:
- Lower the risk of stroke by making blood platelets less sticky.
- Enhance the immune system by guarding against the oxidants and free radicals that weaken the body's natural defense system.
- Help control blood pressure.
- Prevent normal cells from turning cancerous.
- Suppress the formation and growth of tumors.
- Help regulate cholesterol levels.
- Inhibit blood clots.
- Help control blood sugar levels.
- Slow the aging process.
- Aid in weight loss because it inhibits the breakdown of starch.
- Fight bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and bad breath.
- Fight viruses, fungi, and food-borne bacteria.
Frankly, this is a rather extensive list and the last one mentioned is a shocker. A single substance can fight both viruses and bacteria? Hmmm.
However, Taylor is sure of her facts and shares studies that prove her points. If you see the book in a bookstore, it sure is unimpressive! There are no glossy photos, no slick cover and no expensive paper. It is only the best book I've ever read about tea.
The breadth of this small book is amazing. Most of the book is dedicated to explaining why green tea is so healthful. Then, Taylor talks about the history of tea and current trends (Did you know that Ireland is the greatest per capita tea drinking country in the world? This is as of the date of the book's printing).
The following sections were welcome surprises: how to identify the various kinds of green teas; where to buy it (brands offered in retail outlets and mail-order sources) and the details for:
- The best way to make tea.
- The Japanese and Chinese formal tea ceremonies
Finally, Taylor offers some intriguing green tea recipes (spiced green tea, green tea ice cream, etc.) and a Glossary of Terms.
5 stars
The claims made for green tea are impressive:
- Lower the risk of stroke by making blood platelets less sticky.
- Enhance the immune system by guarding against the oxidants and free radicals that weaken the body's natural defense system.
- Help control blood pressure.
- Prevent normal cells from turning cancerous.
- Suppress the formation and growth of tumors.
- Help regulate cholesterol levels.
- Inhibit blood clots.
- Help control blood sugar levels.
- Slow the aging process.
- Aid in weight loss because it inhibits the breakdown of starch.
- Fight bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities and bad breath.
- Fight viruses, fungi, and food-borne bacteria.
Frankly, this is a rather extensive list and the last one mentioned is a shocker. A single substance can fight both viruses and bacteria? Hmmm.
However, Taylor is sure of her facts and shares studies that prove her points. If you see the book in a bookstore, it sure is unimpressive! There are no glossy photos, no slick cover and no expensive paper. It is only the best book I've ever read about tea.
The breadth of this small book is amazing. Most of the book is dedicated to explaining why green tea is so healthful. Then, Taylor talks about the history of tea and current trends (Did you know that Ireland is the greatest per capita tea drinking country in the world? This is as of the date of the book's printing).
The following sections were welcome surprises: how to identify the various kinds of green teas; where to buy it (brands offered in retail outlets and mail-order sources) and the details for:
- The best way to make tea.
- The Japanese and Chinese formal tea ceremonies
Finally, Taylor offers some intriguing green tea recipes (spiced green tea, green tea ice cream, etc.) and a Glossary of Terms.
5 stars
January 1, 2020
[SUMMARY: The chapters on the history of tea, an introduction to its benefits and production process are great to read or to note useful extracts—very clear and straightforward, informative on all levels—however there also many pages with repeated or now outdated content.]
I greatly liked the idea of a book focused solely on tea (mostly green but there is content on others too) and that didn't change while reading the first chapter and skipping to the final one, but when it came to the in-between content this book by Nadine Taylor might not be the most efficient source of information.
There are quite a few pages dedicated to listings of tea-related products and brands (also distributed within the United States only) that, the book being two decades old, are now tremendously outdated.
The book also tends to go over recommendations or explanations on the benefits of green tea often enough that I felt I had read parts of it more than twice. It didn't help that sometimes the enthusiasm didn't sound very scientific, but either way the parts I find important from this book are the first and last chapters, where useful and interesting information is provided on the preparation process of tea and, more briefly, its history and the culture surrounding it (if Green Tea had focused more on that I would've finished it sooner, but its main purpose lies elsewhere).
Those are the parts that I found most informative and also enjoyable to read, and overall I'd come back to the book to consult specific terminology or to be reminded of the more general content, which remains very useful. Also for those who might want to apply the medicinal properties of plant ingredients together with green tea, there's a detailed list of them included.
I greatly liked the idea of a book focused solely on tea (mostly green but there is content on others too) and that didn't change while reading the first chapter and skipping to the final one, but when it came to the in-between content this book by Nadine Taylor might not be the most efficient source of information.
There are quite a few pages dedicated to listings of tea-related products and brands (also distributed within the United States only) that, the book being two decades old, are now tremendously outdated.
The book also tends to go over recommendations or explanations on the benefits of green tea often enough that I felt I had read parts of it more than twice. It didn't help that sometimes the enthusiasm didn't sound very scientific, but either way the parts I find important from this book are the first and last chapters, where useful and interesting information is provided on the preparation process of tea and, more briefly, its history and the culture surrounding it (if Green Tea had focused more on that I would've finished it sooner, but its main purpose lies elsewhere).
Those are the parts that I found most informative and also enjoyable to read, and overall I'd come back to the book to consult specific terminology or to be reminded of the more general content, which remains very useful. Also for those who might want to apply the medicinal properties of plant ingredients together with green tea, there's a detailed list of them included.
August 21, 2023
This is honestly one of the first green tea books I ever purchased long long time ago, I finally understood why green tea was so powerful and popular. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the true power of this superfood!
February 7, 2011
The message of this book is that green tea has a multitude of health benefits to offer. The downside is that this book is very old. The information in it may not be current. The author does maintain a web site on the subject. In addition to exploring the research on green tea the book gives a fascinating history of tea and green tea. The directions for making green tea would likely be a source of argument among green tea fans. The author advises using higher temperatures and longer steeping times than most aficionados would recommend for great tasting green tea.
According to the author green tea first made it on to the radar of medical researchers in the 1970s when it was noticed that a region of Japan where green tea is grown did not share the high rate of stomach cancer found in the rest of Japan. The people who live in that region drink enormous amounts of green tea. Since then and up to the time of the writing of the book there has been a tremendous amount of medical research on green tea.
More accurately, a lot of research has been done on green tea extracts fed to animals held in laboratories. This is an important distinction. Tea leaves have more compounds in them than the extracts which only contain compounds the scientists think are the active ingredients. Furthermore, most testing of drugs on animals fail to yield reliable results for human beings. People are not animals. Different systems, different effects.
One of the most useful parts of the book is where the author describes what type, quality and quantity of green tea extracts the reader would need to take to get the alleged benefits of green tea. Those who wish to go the natural route would need to drink at least a quart ( liter ) of green tea a day. That isn't that much. About 2 - 3 medium sized tea/coffee cups. However, just 1 cup of green tea is needed for the benefit of reducing gum disease...green tea is an anti-bacterial.
This book is pretty good, but if you are going to get a book about the benefits of green tea you might be better off with a more modern book.
According to the author green tea first made it on to the radar of medical researchers in the 1970s when it was noticed that a region of Japan where green tea is grown did not share the high rate of stomach cancer found in the rest of Japan. The people who live in that region drink enormous amounts of green tea. Since then and up to the time of the writing of the book there has been a tremendous amount of medical research on green tea.
More accurately, a lot of research has been done on green tea extracts fed to animals held in laboratories. This is an important distinction. Tea leaves have more compounds in them than the extracts which only contain compounds the scientists think are the active ingredients. Furthermore, most testing of drugs on animals fail to yield reliable results for human beings. People are not animals. Different systems, different effects.
One of the most useful parts of the book is where the author describes what type, quality and quantity of green tea extracts the reader would need to take to get the alleged benefits of green tea. Those who wish to go the natural route would need to drink at least a quart ( liter ) of green tea a day. That isn't that much. About 2 - 3 medium sized tea/coffee cups. However, just 1 cup of green tea is needed for the benefit of reducing gum disease...green tea is an anti-bacterial.
This book is pretty good, but if you are going to get a book about the benefits of green tea you might be better off with a more modern book.
August 31, 2007
Convincing if completely unfounded science weighing heavily on bias toward green tea as the panacea discovered 5,000 years ago in what would become ancient China. You don't need a book to tell you that drinking or eating anything that is green or tastes like grass is good for you, right?
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews