Green Tea

Green tea is one of the least processed teas around and carries a huge amount of antioxidants, notably a catechin called EGCG, which is thought to play a pivotal role in green tea's amazing anticancer and antioxidant effects. 
A recent Japanese study on green tea found that men who drank green tea regularly had lower cholesterol than those who didn't. Researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom have also shown that ECGC can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. 
The health benefits of green tea have been extensively researched and, as the scientific community's awareness of its potential benefits has increased, so have the number of new studies. 
Green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis. In August 2006, a European study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that green tea is a healthier choice than almost any beverage, including pure water, because it not only rehydrates as well as water, but provides a rich supply of antioxidants. Studies have shown that it lowers blood pressure and helps prevent hypertension, thins the blood and helps prevent blood clots, helps prevent the development of cancer, builds bone density, protects the liver, promotes fat loss, maintains mental sharpness amongst numerous other things.
Most of the research showing the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically consumed in Asian countries—about 3 cups per day. There are many different types of green tea that you can buy, from Japanese to Chinese and Indian. I would recommend that you stay away from the flavored Green tea bags sold these days, as they mostly contain artificial flavors and additives. Buy the purest form you can find, allow to brew for 2-3 minutes as it can otherwise taste very bitter. You can add your own touch by brewing it with thinly sliced ginger and lemon, or sprigs of spearmint, and can even add some honey for sweetness. Enjoy!