In a decision announced on May 9, 2006, the FDA rejected a petition from the U.S. subsidiary of Ito-En, a large Japanese green tea company, asking for permission to include on its packaging a claim that drinking at least five ounces of green tea a day may reduce "a number of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease." After reviewing 105 scientific publications submitted by the company, the FDA said the evidence was "supportive, but not conclusive for this claim…"

Personally, I believe that the health benefits of green tea will eventually be established beyond all doubt. The most important polyphenol in tea, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), is one of the most potent antioxidants and probably contributes to the health benefits of tea reported in studies from Asia, Europe and North America.   In a recent US study, Chi-Tang Ho, PhD, of Rutgers University, analyzed 11 different soft drinks and found "astonishingly high" levels of reactive carbonyls. These compounds - thought to cause cell and tissue damage - have been linked to diabetes since diabetics have higher levels in their blood.  Ho and his team found that adding epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a compound found in tea, to the drinks reduced the levels of reactive carbonyl species in a dose-dependent manner.

I think we should regard the FDA ruling as a call to do more and better studies on the specific benefits of green tea and its relationship with heart disease, as well as its effects on known disease markers such as cholesterol, diabetes and C-reactive protein.

I'm still drinking green tea daily, and I recommend that you do so as well.  When you have the time to indulge, have some green tea with your treatment at one of our Spavelous Spas.