Why did you start drinking green tea?  A good few people may have started it because "green tea is good for health".  It is good trigger for taking over new diet, but how many people have made sure of the effects scientifically?

The body effects of green tea can be clearly divided into immediate effects and long-term effects. The former can be confirmed by yourself such as:

• Rousability
• Relaxation
• Concentration
• Diuretic effect
• Bad breath prevention

Pretty simple and obvious, they may be fair reasons to drink or not to drink green tea.  But how about the long-term effects such as:

• Antioxidant effect
• Increases metabolic rate and reduces fat
• Anti-diabetes effect
• Anti-cancer properties

They are all needed clinical tests to be proven.  Recent studies show some evidences of those effects.

• Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a type of catechin reduces the damage of DNA and potentially prevents cancers. (Kyusyu University: 14/03/2004)
• Catechin raises metabolic rate (Swiss National Science Research Fund: 23/01/2000)

At the same time, high concentrated catechin is reported that it stresses and damages the liver, and banned in Canada, France and Spain.(Functional Ingredients Magazine 04/07/2003)

Saying "green tea prevents cancers" is obviously hasty.  US FDA concluded "there is no credible evidence to support qualified health claims for green tea consumption and a reduced risk of gastric, lung, colon/rectal, esophageal, pancreatic, ovarian, and combined cancers." in the response to a Chinese doctor's claim.

I am really concerned about the business and marketing which are emphasizing medical aspects of green tea too much.  Some companies are selling dietary supplements made from green tea.  Is it enjoyable?  It is really sad if people drink Japanese tea as "Good medicine is bitter in the mouth.", and I can say this is only a food faddism which ends sooner or later.

Japanese green tea is a beverage which has cultural background and can be a great spice for your daily life, and long-term health effects are just side benefits.

It's your choice and all up to you, but I would like you to enjoy drinking Japanese green tea because of its taste and clear immediate effects like relaxation.