Many people wonder what the ingredients of Green tea are, as if they were baked in by some man made process! Actually what is important to know is what the active ingredients are that occur naturally in green teas. These are what make tea such a healthy drink.

The main health benefits derived from green tea are largely based on compounds called Polyphenols; these are chemicals with powerful antioxidant properties. Amazingly, studies have proven the antioxidant effects of polyphenols derived from green tea are greater than vitamin C. The slightly bitter taste of Green tea is probably due in part to the levels of polyphenol.

Catechins, which are a subgroup of the Polyphenol family found in teas fall into these 6 categories: catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). The last one, which is also called simply EGCG, is known to be the most powerful, most active and most researched of all the green tea polyphenols.

Green tea leaves have the highest percentage of polyphenol making up 30% to 40% of the total composition of the leaf. This is quite a contrast to Black teas which only contain 3% to 10% polyphenols by composition. Remember, Green teas are minimally oxidized, whereas black teas are fully oxidized.

Other ingredients present in Green tea are alkaloids caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline (which contribute to the stimulating effect)

Fluoride, which also occurs naturally in Green tea, has recently received attention in the media as a health risk. The consensus is that that the levels of fluoride are far too low in Green Tea to pose any serious health risk.

Fluoride in tea has drawn the attention of some news media recently. Fluoride intoxication has been known to be a health issue for Tibet people who consume brick tea, a type of black tea. Fluoride contents in green teas are too low to cause any health concerns.

So, the overall vote is that the active ingredients in green tea are healthy and beneficial. For centuries many people have been enjoying Green tea whether they drink it strictly for the health benefits or because they enjoy its many unique tastes and aromas. Either way you cant go wrong , drinking Green tea is definitley a healthy habit.