Green tea is currently the drink of choice for anyone looking to improve their health or lose weight.
Many people believe that this magical drink was only recently discovered by health gurus, but in actual fact its origins trace back to thousands of years ago in ancient China, long before the black and red varieties were produced.
Even back then, green tea was well-known for its medicinal properties and its positive influence on physical and mental well-being.
Nowadays, of course, we have developed plenty of different ways to ingest our daily cups of green tea.
There are varieties available for every taste and preference, which you can buy in almost any shop or supermarket and you can even buy your favourite variety online.
However, the beneficial properties of green tea have remained the same as thousands of years ago and it is no wonder, therefore, that in this modern age where concerns about beauty and health have reached their peak, the drink has known a true revival.
Scores of tests have been performed in recent years to determine the actual medical benefits of drinking green tea and the results are nothing less than astounding.
It can help stave off several types of cancer, diabetes, strokes and dementia.
In addition, three cups a day may reduce the symptoms of a host of existing conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease and high cholesterol.
Even the beauty industry capitalizes on the current 'green tea mania' by using leaf extracts as preservatives in many of their cosmetic products, promising healthy skin and youthful good looks.
But where exactly do green tea's beneficial properties come from? Scientists have discovered that tea contains high levels of so-called flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants derived from plants.
Green tea in particular is the richest source of catechins, which can also be found in red wine, chocolate and apples.
Because this specific type of catechin is almost twice as powerful as that in other food sources, it can not only slow down, but even reverse the negative effects of such health hazards as smoking and a high-fat diet.
The best way to enjoy the full benefits of it is to brew a cup with loose leaf tea.
Loose tea contains larger leaves which are only minimally processed and it therefore better preserves the natural chemicals and flavours.
Tea bags, on the other hand, are generally filled with tiny pieces of leaf that are often of inferior quality and have lost much of their natural benefits during the production process.
On top of that, loose tea has been found to contain more antioxidant extracts and less caffeine than its bagged counterpart.